Marking a Bond | Body Branding 101 

Creating and wearing marks on flesh are often used and enjoyed parts of BDSM play. Generally, bites, scratches and bruises only last a short time, but some kinksters want to find a more permanent way to wear their marks. A masochist favourite is body branding - but what is it, and can it be done safely? We asked Victoria Blisse to give you the lowdown. 

What is body branding?

Body branding - or BDSM branding or skin branding - is hot (literally) and can be used to show your dedication to your Dominant. It could also be an experience just for you to enjoy if you're a masochist - or to show off your brand that says something uniquely about you. However, body branding is an extreme practice and is an example of Risk Aware Consensual Kink (RACK) and is NOT something to be undertaken lightly.
 

The process of skin branding is painful and will continue to hurt until the brand (which is an open burn wound) heals. If you're not good with pain, getting a brand is probably not a good idea! 

It's strongly advised only to be branded by a professional or by someone with plenty of experience. Body branding is considered dangerous and can leave a permanent mark - it also leaves a vulnerable, open wound on the person. While using a hot metal brand is one way of doing it, it's not the only way to be branded. There are electrical ways to do it too. 
 

Violet wand branding

Some violet wands have a specific fixing designed to burn flesh, where it focuses the electricity into a tiny intense point and leaves a burn mark the size of a small dot. If you move this carefully and precisely, you can draw a pattern on someone's skin.


An example of skin branding made with a violet wand.  Image: Mountain-Top via Flickr Creative Commons Licence. 

Hot metal branding 

This kind of skin branding involves moulding a piece of metal into a specific shape or design that you want, then heating it to an incredibly high temperature and applying it to the skin.
 

Body branding safety

A note on safety: We're not going to provide a step-by-step guide to body branding as it's not something any kinkster should do. However, if you're looking to give a body branding yourself, talk to people who know what they're doing. If you've never done skin branding before, it would be advisable to do it with a mentor to guide you as the process happens. 
 

In general, ensure the person doing the branding has the experience and sanitize all equipment. If using a fire source, be sure to take all fire safety precautions. After applying the brand to the skin, it's essential to keep the site clean. Aloe Vera or antiseptic cream applications can control pain but don't cover the burn; it needs to be open to the air to heal. If the wound gets infected (goes green, smells bad or is gunky), then you must have it checked out by a doctor ASAP. 
 

Is body branding illegal?

Human skin branding counts as body modification, and a conviction of a tattooist for performing body modifications with consent means many body modifications such as scarification are not undertaken by tattoo and piercing parlours because the law isn't explicit in this area. Body branding is part of this legal grey area; consider carefully before agreeing to have one. 

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Some territories view skin branding as grievous bodily harm (GBH), and within those laws, you can't consent to this kind of harm. So in a court of law, a brand is likely to be seen as an illegal act. If in doubt, it's wise to check out the laws local to you.
 

Is body branding permanent?

It can be. However, there's no way of knowing this for sure before you have a brand on your skin. Some people burn easily; some heal well, and some don't. Every person will react differently to skin branding, and it will depend on the type of body brand and the design you receive - this means that a brand can last as little as a few weeks, or it could be permanent.  
 

Realistically, it will be on your body for a significant time. So again - it really should be something you seriously consider before deciding to pursue. While body branding is regarded as an extreme kink, it certainly can be enjoyed - as long as you weigh up the risks and do it safely.

Victoria Blisse is an erotic author, a sex-positive Reverend and part of Smut.UK who arranges events for curious and kinky people with a literary bent.
 

Wanna talk more about body branding? Join our kinky family! 
 

Cover Image: Stuart Updegrave. Martian Branding 058 via Flickr Creative Commons License.