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pinkwind -> RE: Seeking Advice on Cutting (2/15/2009 7:20:01 PM)
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Apart from sterile instruments, have all the necessary antiseptic skin wash and wipes, butterfly dressings or similar, lint free dressings and micro-porous tape, scissors etc. all together and to hand before you start.
Make sure you clean a decent area around the cut site before laying blade to flesh, and whatever blade you use is ultra sharp and sterile. Do not press or force a blade into the skin, let the blade do the work. You are looking to gently cleave the epidermis, possibly the dermis, but certainly no deeper, and the depth of both layers depends on the area you are about to cut.
Don't cut on a joint, nor force a blade to turn corners, better to lift off and start at a new angle. Make sure that you and the subject are happy with the extent of the area you are going to cut, and that it won't interfere with daily life. If you are looking to make a decent scar angle the blade and make close parallel passes in a v formation, and remove a very thin strip of skin from between the two cuts. This method means that the edges won't knit together readily, so don't use butterfly dressings here, it will put a strain on the sides of the wound and would be self defeating.
Once you have made your cut you can let it bleed for a while, even open it up with light pressure on both sides, but don't go crazy, the sides have to knit back together! Once you have grokked over your handiwork gently clean up the wound following the direction of the cut as much as possible, and depending on the amount of blood present afterwards, dress as appropriate to keep the wound site clean and edges together.
Change the dressing, if needed, regularly, and clean the wound at the same time. Letting the air get to the cut will aid it's healing, so even if you need to dress it make sure it's lint free and breathable.
Some disturb the scab as it forms to prolong the healing time and to help the scar last a while longer. If you do that make sure you keep the wound clean.
Having enjoyed being cut a few times new and not having any problems it all came down to Andy not going OTT for the pleasure of it, and learning how my skin healed by looking after his handiwork himself, especially at the beginning. If you can find an experienced practitioner to learn from, or visit a workshop, all the better.
Best of luck.
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