Permanent Marks

Hi there,

since I asked everyone to post one of the things they mentioned they wanted to see discussed from what was suggested in the Friday Five...here goes my question to you:

Has anyone here experimented with more permanent marks? I'm thinking brandings, tattoos, cuts...well, you get the idea, I'm sure. It's stuff that always comes up in stories...a sub/slave is being marked as the owner's property.

Well, I'm sure a lot of people (including myself) think the idea is pretty hot. I mean, even the marks that fade with time, serve as a powerful reminder, evoke strong feelings when touched or looked at...and I know from my own experience that I miss them when they're gone.

BUT...how about taking the next step? Is it something that makes you hot? Would you even consider it? Has someone here been marked (or has marked his/her sub) permanently? Were you scared? If we're talking brandings...how intense was the experience? Did you ever regret it afterwards?

You see...a lot of questions from a curious mind. Any answers? :)

Silke

*grins* helly yeah, delia!! Having a non-lifestyle tattoo myself, I know about carefully considering the 'if's' - and I hope anyone engaging in this will, too. I'm really just curious...it's such a common story and I was wondering how the reality lives up to this, if at all. ;)

Thanks for sharing your own story...both marks sound wonderful and as if both you and your dom put a lot of thought into this. I really like the rose as a symbol and the idea of having an almost invisible worked in letter is so clever!! Nice one! :)

I've become quite taken with the significance a marking can hold. I think in terms of a permanent one I'd echo being very careful about what you do and don't do anything that you're not completely sure you can live with keeping.

I'm cosidering a tattoo quite carefully these days, one that specifically speaks to me and my woman. I've never got one before though. And I don't plan to run out and get one any time soon, but it is something I am looking at for down the road. I wouldn't be scared about doing it, because I'd never allow a permanent marking of myself unless I was 100% sure about having that with me forever.

In a sadomasochistic sense, I have marked myself with a knife, but not permanently. I was careful to choose a spot I knew would be covered by my day to day clothing all the time as I have no desire to explain why it's there. I quite like "temporary markings" that one can get with all sorts of BDSM acticvity. And the best part is when you go away you can always make more. :D

i have a brand of His initials on my left hip, a tattoo of a dragon circling the Mandarin characters for "slave" on my right shoulder blade and his initials carved into my inner thigh.

The brand was the most intense. But also the source of most pride. It was part of a small ceremony on the 5th anniversary of my collaring. i was very proud that he trusted me not to embarrass him in front of his friends.

Phew...I didn't really have any hope to find someone who actually did some of the more edgy markings. Thank you for sharing, Dragon's muse!! Care to tell us that story of your marks a little more detailed? *hopeful glance*

:)

I'm not marked..but want to be. One thing that's always been a hell of a turn on for me is to be branded by my dom's mark. A tattoo will do too..but for me a branding is something more intimate. Not sure why I think so but I do. Cutting....hell no...I get sick at the sight of blood and probably would passout too.

I would be interested in something permanent.

He always tells me someday he will....but I am not entirely sure if he is teasing me, or if he will someday decide to do it.

For now I wear his collar and that is just perfect for me.

Tae'lyn

My nipple piercings were my first mark of Sir's. I will have a tattoo he has carefully designed as another mark once I have earned it.

The events of my branding are quite fuzzy actually. i was (as you can probably imagine) pretty deep in subspace at the time. In all honesty it hurt like the very devil afterward, (and not the good kind of hurt). But, while it was going on it just sent me drifting farther off into space.

The cutting was different. i begged for that. And i begged for months. As in a previous, probably to make sure that it was what i really wanted. i don't regret for an instant, but i honestly must say that i would not do it again. Or at least i would ask him to wait until i was a bit deeper in subspace.

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Originally Posted by Dragon's muse

The events of my branding are quite fuzzy actually. i was (as you can probably imagine) pretty deep in subspace at the time. In all honesty it hurt like the very devil afterward, (and not the good kind of hurt). But, while it was going on it just sent me drifting farther off into space.

The cutting was different. i begged for that. And i begged for months. As in a previous, probably to make sure that it was what i really wanted. i don't regret for an instant, but i honestly must say that i would not do it again. Or at least i would ask him to wait until i was a bit deeper in subspace.

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When Sir and I played back in February, he left some pretty serious marks on me. The pain was awful...but I smiled all through it because, it was his mark on me..he made them. I think I would feel the same for a branding...hurt like an SOB but I would smile anyway, because it's my dom's mark.

SB

Oooohh *happy glow*...just keep 'em coming! I love this thread already. :)

Dragon's muse...yeah, I bet it hurt like friggin hell afterwards! And I can only begin to imagine how far 'out' you must have been while you received it...I haven't been anywhere near myself. That's probably why it's so interesting to hear those stories. :)

How big is the branding? How long did it take to heal? Were you both satisfied with what it looked like eventually? How did he do it?

Oooohh, just tell me to shut up if I'm being too nosy, lol. ;)

Yep, I have some permanent marks.

Detailed, eh? lol I'll add more when I have more time...

The brand is a triangle, about 3 inches on each side with one of his initials at each corner. There is a small heart in the center of the triangle. There is still a practicing blacksmith who is lifestyle about 2 hours from here and he makes custom irons. It took about 5 or 6 weeks to heal completely. It healed so pretty though. i love to look at it, and to wear bikinis in the summer so that it shows. i like to see who will have the nerve to ask me about it. The one thing i do remember about the actual branding is the smell of burning flesh, but i still loved it.

I have three tattoos and am about to get a fourth. This next one will be a very significant one. I've been thinking about it and working on the design for a long time, and recently everything has come together. It will be a mark of sorts in that I will have my man's first initial worked into it. He means everything to me, and we've both talked about how no matter what should happen in the future, I want to have that as a reminder of the time we did have together in our lives. To me, it doesn't have to be huge or obvious, and as I'm mostly a Domme, a branding just doesn't really work for me. This tattoo is a quietly personal choice that will stay with me forever.

I've never considered putting another adult's name on me as a tattoo...I just can't do it. Life is too uncertain. The way I feel about this man, though - I know, deep in my soul, that again, no matter what happens, I'll always want him with me somehow.

My slave and ex-wife has my initials in a piercing jewlery. Even though she's moving out I think she's still going to keep it. Not so very permanent but still a mark she carries with her.

Yay, Dragon's muse - thank you for exlaining further - hell, I'm jealous, lol. The design sounds wonderful. *dreamy eyes* And if I'd meet you on the beach, I asked you. ;)

I'm impressed to see a good few people here into this, whether it's a branding, cut, tattoo or something less obvious and permanent as a customised piercing (nice idea, by the way!!). For me, that's the stuff of dreams and something I'd love to do when the time is right.

I agree with what has been said by some here...a full name wouldn't be my thing at all, but having something personal or even worked in initials to remind you of a wonderful and intense time with a special someone, really appeals to me. And no, I wouldn't be reluctant to do it for fear of that particular relationship not working out - I've never had hard feelings when breaking up with someone and would think that I'd love to cherish the intimate moments even after the paths go off in different directions. It's like other scars or tattoos etc you carry - they have a story to tell and are a part of you forever...I love it. :)

Master and I have talked a little about me getting a tattoo. What I want is just a simple link chain with a small lock around my ankle (probably get it on my right one). Eventually, I'd like to get Master's initials in the lock or something...but I don't know how I'd explain that kind of tattoo (even minus initials) to vanilla friends.

I have two tattoos and one scar. Well, I have a lot of scars actually, but only one that’s really noticeable (and permanent, with the intent of being so). Both my scar and one of my tattoos are of the same thing – his intial, but placed on different parts of my body, one on my chest and one on my inner thigh, both locations representing different things (obvious I hope ;)). The other tattoo is of a small (but badass) dragon, which signifies a couple of different things to us. He has one too that’s very similar, only his is bigger and way cooler looking, hehe. So mine is kinda like the lil sub dragon and his is the Domish dragon. Pretty sweet.

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Originally Posted by Silke

having something personal or even worked in initials to remind you of a wonderful and intense time with a special someone, really appeals to me. And no, I wouldn't be reluctant to do it for fear of that particular relationship not working out - I've never had hard feelings when breaking up with someone and would think that I'd love to cherish the intimate moments even after the paths go off in different directions. It's like other scars or tattoos etc you carry - they have a story to tell and are a part of you forever...I love it. :)

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My thoughts exactly. No matter what happens, it’ll never change the huge impact he’s had on my life and all he’s done for me.

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Eventually, I'd like to get Master's initials in the lock or something...but I don't know how I'd explain that kind of tattoo (even minus initials) to vanilla friends.

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angelfreak - I think that's a great point that hasn't been raised here. While some of what we'd like to do in a BDSM context might look appealing and the 'right thing to do', it doesn't disappear when you go out to work or meet your family and friends. I think it's a major decision that has to be made:

how obvious or overt do you want your 'mark' to be to vanilla eyes? and
how comfortable will you be with people seeing it?

I think everyone going through the process of deciding on permanent marks (be it BDSM ones or not), should ask him/herself those questions.

For me, personally, this would pose two options - either get something that is cryptic enough so that I'd feel comfortable showing it off OR get something more obviously kinky somewhere easily conceivable if necessary.

mina - I like the matching dragon tattoos - so cool! Still not sure about the cuts...*shudders* Is there a chance that we'll see some of your marks at some stage? I'm so curious. :)

I brought up the idea of my potential tattoo with some associates of mine a couple days ago, and the response against it really was... well, completely pathetic closed minded nonsense. Not that I'll change my decision whether to eventually get one or not based off that but the backlash at even the idea was pretty startling to me.

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Originally Posted by angelfreak

Master and I have talked a little about me getting a tattoo. What I want is just a simple link chain with a small lock around my ankle (probably get it on my right one). Eventually, I'd like to get Master's initials in the lock or something...but I don't know how I'd explain that kind of tattoo (even minus initials) to vanilla friends.

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Have you thought of making the lock into a heart making it look more loving...

Soften the edges making it look soft might help as well.

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Originally Posted by Silke

Is there a chance that we'll see some of your marks at some stage? I'm so curious. :)

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I hope so =) I've been wanting to show you guys pics forever now... but it doesn't look good so far. He thinks those are personal things between us.

Silke,

this is an awesome thread:).

Currently i one tattoo and it's my daughter's name in Japanese characters on my lower back.

Mistress and i have discussed a tattoo for me, She wants it done on my right butt cheek lol. i have looked into branding and it seems to be an underground thing where i live.

Although i love the idea of branding i would probably pass out from the pain:faint: lol.

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Originally Posted by angelfreak

Master and I have talked a little about me getting a tattoo. What I want is just a simple link chain with a small lock around my ankle (probably get it on my right one). Eventually, I'd like to get Master's initials in the lock or something...but I don't know how I'd explain that kind of tattoo (even minus initials) to vanilla friends.

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If they ask, you could just smile and say that it has personal meaning for you. If they press, tell them it's none of their business- it's your tat, not theirs. ;)
-Phantome

My toy and I want to get one eventually; we just haven't been able to decide on what we really want. As she's not really into pain (ironically I'm both the masochist and the Dom in the relationship) branding is right out.

mina - do I have to beg Satan now? ;)

frankee - what kind of tattoo are you and your Mistress looking at? I'm not sure about the pain side of the branding either...on the other hand, that's one of the things that makes it even more appealing. *sighs* But since it's not something that's going to be an issue any time soon, I can dream of it a little while longer, lol.

ElectricBadger - masochist and dom...what an interesting combination. I'd love to hear more about this...:)

my Mistress is Italian and She would like me to get 'donna presa', which in Italian means 'taken woman' ( if i remember correctly- my Italian is a little rusty i haven't been practicing lately lol), but i'll be getting it done in Greek letters.

I like that, frankee...taken woman... *smiles* Thanks for sharing.:)

Silke - Thank you for the advice. I may end up changing what I want...but I really, really want the chain. ;)

chattel69 - I like the heart idea. It's feminine, which is something Master is helping me be more. Maybe I could still do the chain, but make it small and use your heart idea...or still keep a little bit bigger chain with the lock and intertwine rose vines with thorns and roses around the chain...so many possibilities. :)

Phatome - I really like your approach to it. When Master and I read your response I told him, "Now that is a good idea." :) You're right, it really isn't anyone's business what my tattoos mean to me. Thanks for the encouragement.

I am leaning towards a brand for My slave. But I have a question about it. How high are the risks of an infection with a brand, compared to a tattoo? I know they(brands) can take some time to heal. Would'nt that increase the risk for infection?

Thanks,
Master C

ID & i have matching tattoos..His is the mandarin symbol for Master..mine is the one for slave. a real 'brand' doesn't appeal to either of us..and cutting is out, cuz well...ID faints at the sight of blood *giggles*....He has been working on a design for us working our real initials together for another tattoo. i wear His collar though....always...24/7...obvious, yet...not. the tattoos we currently have aren't obvious to anyone other than lifestylers that have knowledge of the symbols.

it is something to consider long and hard. although the idea of a permanent mark is very romantic..it is..."permanent"...and just..not to be a wet blanket, but...what if.......................things aren't forever. my theory is never say never...and never say forever. but that is an extremely personal decision that only you and your Dominant can make..understand..the final say in this should really be yours...(IMHO)

Master C...i know a few people who have been branded. one girl did develop an infection and the brand was marred. another had no trouble. i understand, as lily has stated, its extremely painful during the healing process. if ID were adament about a brand, i'd strongly consider it..do the research and ask the questions as you have. look online perhaps at body modification sites....good luck to you and yours *S*

Since I have very little practical knowledge about branding or scarification. I decided to do a little research.

This link I found to be the most informative, without the barrage of ads you get from a regular search.

Using Google I typed in "body modification branding faq healing". This yielded 450,000+ results. Of those there were only about 1 or 2 really helpful results in the first page.

I did get some results on Wikipedia. However they didn't discuss healing or technique. Just history.

Some of the tidbits from the page I referred to are;

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How long does a brand take to heal?

A brand (actually all scarification) takes a long time to completely heal. Brands go through a few phases, which different greatly in length (and nature) from brand to brand.

First a brand will go through a scabby phase where they look like an absolutely horrible wound. This phase generally takes from a few weeks to just over a month. Then the brand will look like a quite bright red raised scar which slowly becomes pinker, and then eventually slightly lighter than normal skin colour. This stage takes between six and twelve months for most people, and additional raising may occur during this period.

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as well as

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How should I take care of the brand during healing?

There are two main schools of thought as to the aftercare of scarification in general. Many artists believe that a LITHA ("leave it the hell alone") method is best. Assuming that the initial cuts are well done, by leaving it alone, the body will generally heal a fairly consistent wound. The downside of this method is that if the person's genetics are not prone to keloiding, that the amount of raised scar will be fairly minimal.

The other school of thought on scarification aftercare is to irritate the wound (using a variety of methods ranging from simply picking the scab, to rubbing it with steel wool or a toothbrush, to using chemical and exfoliant formulas). Irritating a healing scar will greatly increase the amount of scarring, but at the same time, almost always leads to inconsistent scarring (that is, different parts of the scar will raise different amounts).

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I know this answered some of the questions I had on the subject. I hope it does for you as well.

V/R
ID

I have been considering a tattoo for a long time. One that would look somewhat like my ava. Something that anyone looking at wouldn't think about but that i would know the true meaning of. Although for me the meaning is more about the lifestyle choice i am/have made then about the person (Dom) that the choice is connected too, if that makes any sense.

As to branding... makes me melt just thinking about it. Could i do it? Maybe one day i will find out. BUT... it is certainly something i would very seriously consider for a long time. And, as with the tattoo, i would probably lean more towards something that is, to me, more symbolic of my submission. Because that is something that 10 years down the road or longer probably won't change... Even as much as i loved my Master, life is just too uncertain sometimes. (Although His chat id I initially met Him under included the word Corazon which is "Heart" in Spanish... maybe that is why i am still so fond of the ava... *grinz*)

Cutting... not so sure about. Would take a lot of conviencing on that one!

nice link

I have marks that ended up being permanent that were not planed. My Dom has cut on me before but nothing that ever lasted. i don’t really know if I would want something lasting. I have met people that had the BDSM emblem tattooed onto them and as good as it looks on them I do not think I would want to have to explain it to everyone that saw it.