How deep should the cutting be?
It depends greatly on the desired effect, but, to generalise, cutting is about as deep as a tattoo (into the “permanent skin” but not through it), or about 1/16″. Cutting deeper increases the amount of scarring, but also increases the chances of serious complications. A shallow cut on the other hand may heal entirely, leaving no marks at all. Additionally, some artists choose to cut a V-shaped double line. What is skinning (skin removal)? Cutting by default creates only a relatively thin single line. Some advanced artists actually cut the outline of larger areas and then remove these patches of skin. This allows larger areas to be relatively precisely converted into scars. How large a piece of skin can be removed safely? “Safely” is a relative word of course. Your skin is your primary means of defence against our extremely hostile environment, and the more of it is compromised, the more risk you are at. Most people seem perfectly able to heal a few square inches of skin removal without
