| Branding |
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| Branding is used mainly in the D/s lifestyle, but in BDSM |
| as well (in some cases such as extereme punishment). It's a process of burning a third degree burn into a slaves flesh, marking a permanent symbol (scar) of the bond and ownership a Master has with His slave. |
| Branding is done by heating a metal object till it is white from extreme heat, then pressing it into the skin and flesh for a certain amount of time (depending on the skin type and metal used). Once the initial burn is made, it will leave a third degree burn (which is less painful than a minor burn, because it destroys the nerve endings in that area where the actual flesh is singed), and later, resulting in a permanent scar in the flesh. The wound (with help of the body's natural healing process, as well as daily nursing) will eventaully create new skin tissue that is almost silvery in color and shiney in appearance, in the shape of the initial burn. Thus leaving a brand. But, before the branding is carried out, the area of the flesh to be branded is steralized and put through a freezing process, which can be anything from ice to an injection of a freezing anesthetic. I have even read that some have been "put under" with sodium penithol (I think that's what it's called) for their branding. |
| Branding is one of the highest types of burns to gain serious infections. Some metals have Chromium in them, or coated on them, which can cause an allergic reaction as well as the serious infection. |
| ** Remember, your skin is your body's first weapon of defence** |
| Most who do branding in the lifestyle, do it as a right of passage ceremony. Where the slave is lead to the place of branding, s/he is tied down so as s/he is immobile (it can be pretty painful), the selected area is sterilized and frozen. Then the Dom/me either does the brand Him/Herself (with proper instruction), or S/He sits with the slaves head on His/Her lap to comfort His/Her slave during the branding. It is usually one of the most special events in a slaves life, and is very symbolic (and permanent) of that slaves bond and submission to his/her Master. |
| Be sure that if you are considering having a brand done unto you that you are prepared to have that scar for life. As well, always have someone who is experienced and a professional to do the brand. Or, if your Master/Mistress would like to do the brand, that S/He is under the guidance of a professional. The branding process takes alot of skill, preperation, steadiness, patience and knowledge. The Brander has to know the brandee's skin type, skin sensitivity, how hot to make the Iron, what type of metal to use, how to do the immediate treatment of the burn, how long to hold the iron, how hard to press it, the placement of the iron and so on..... |
| Just as important as the branding process, is the aftercare. |
| Be sure to know all necessary precautions and steps to treating a third degree burn. As well as attaining knowledge about the selected area to be branded. The traditional places for a brand are on the inside of the thigh, on one's tush, or on one's breast - mainly because these areas have the most fatty tissues, along with them being very intamate and personal zones. |
| Written by sheltered vixen, 2002 |
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