Scarification
Scarifying involves scratching, etching, or some sort of superficial cutting or incision. Scarification can be applied to horticulture, which involves cutting the seed coat using acid, sand paper, or a knife to encourage germination, the cutting of concrete using hydrodemolition, or as a permanent body modification, etching designs, pictures, or words into the skin.

# Scarification in construction
Scarification of concrete can be done using hydrodemolition, aka hydro scarification, and high speed scarification. The depth of removal depends on the application, but usually does not exceed 1/4" to 3/4". The use of scarification on concrete is used to provide a better bond profile with an overlay of the same material. Scarification sometimes follows an initial milling of a surface using a large mechanical grinder. The hydro scarification following this process can have the effect of eliminating microfractures produced by the impact of the milling machine. The absence of micofractures and the creation of a better bond profile, both help to create a better bond strength with the concrete overlay.

# Scarification as a body modification
In the process of body scarification, scars are formed by cutting or branding the skin. Scarification is sometimes called cicatrization (from the French equivalent).

## History
Scarification has been used for many reasons in many different cultures:
- Scarification has been used as a rite of passage in adolescence, or to denote the emotional state of the wearer of the scars, such as times of sorrow or well-being. This is common among Australian Aboriginal and Sepik River tribes in New Guinea, amongst others.
- Scarification, by deliberately burning skin, is called branding and has historically been used to mark slaves and criminals, usually with the brand being visible and often letter-coded to reflect the crime.
- The Maori of New Zealand used a form of ink rubbing scarification to produce facial tattoos known as "moko." Moko were considered to make the body complete as Maori bodies were considered to be naked without these marks. Moko were unique to each person and served as a sort of signature. Some Maori chiefs even used the pattern of their moko as their signatures on land treaties with Europeans.
- In some cultures, the willingness of a woman to receive scarification shows her maturity and willingness to bear children.
- Scarification is fairly common in West Africa and New Guinea.
- Facial scarring was a popular practice among the Huns.
- Facial scarring resulting from academic fencing is regarded as a badge of honour among the European dueling fraternities, this tradition originating in the 19th century.
- Scarification is also associated with the body modification movement.

## Reasons
There are many reasons why people may turn to scarification.  Aesthetically, scarifications are usually more visible on darker skinned people than tattoos.  Also, unlike tattoos, scarifications are a product of one's own body.  Endorphins are released in the process of obtaining the scars that can put a person into a high or euphoria.
There are also religious and social reasons for scarification.  According to some tribal belief in Africa, producing scars on newborn children helps preventing vision related illness. There may also be religious expressions used in the scarification process.

## Methods
Scarification is not a precise art; there are many variables, such as skin type, depth of the cut, and how the wound is treated while healing, that make the outcome somewhat unpredictable.
The body creates the scar, not the artist; it is important to keep in mind that a method that works well on one person may not work so well on another. Also, the scars tend to spread a bit as they heal, so scarifications are usually relatively simple designs -- small details can easily get swallowed up in the healing process.

### Branding
Human branding is one type of scarification.  It is similar in nature to livestock branding.

### Cutting
Cutting of the skin for cosmetic purposes is not to be confused with self-injury, which is also referred to by the euphemism "cutting." However, there may be borderline cases of artistic self-injury and self-scarification for internal, non-cosmetic reasons.
Lines are cut with surgical blades.  Extended cutting techniques include:

### Abrasion
Scars can be formed by removing layers of skin through abrasion. This can be achieved using a tattooing device (with no ink), or any object that can remove skin through friction (such as sandpaper).  It is somewhat common for people who wish to experiment with performing their own scarifications to scrape away skin into a desired pattern with a needle or pin. This method of self-scarification is not recommended as it is unsafe.
Chemical scarification uses corrosive chemicals to remove skin and induce scarring. The effects of this method are typically very similar to other, simpler forms of scarification; as a result there has been little research undertaken on this method.
Professionally trained "wrestlers" aka actors/stuntmen experiment with scarification during the amalgam art that is live staged fight scenes.  Scars can be formed by using prop weapons like glass, barbed wire, thumb tacks, etc. during a scripted/pre-determined stunt fight.  This style of non-self inflicted scarification is known in the business as "hardway."  The stuntmen participating in the event talk before the match and lay down a set of rules for the scarification.  Certain areas of the body are off limits to some wrestlers, others want scars all over.  Some older wrestlers used to "gig" by using a small razor blade to self-scar the forehead during a match.  This gives the art of "pro wrestling" the realistic feel and the wrestler the desired body modification to further his career and his artform.  Scars are seen as a badge of honor and a sign that one has earned his place in the business.  Most internet savy fans know about this practice and accept it as part of the stage show.  Many have compared it to walking on hot coals, sword swollowing, public hook hangings, and pain tolerance demonstrations.  World famous "wrestlers" like author Mic Foley aka Cactus Jack & Mankind, Abdullah The Butcher, Ric Flair, Harley Race, former Governor of Minnesota Jesse Ventura, Hulk Hogan, The Rock Duane Johnson, Stone Cold Steve Austin, John Cena, and many others have scars from "gigging."  Other world famous "wrestlers" like Sabu, Madman Pondo, Diehard Dustin Lee, Scotty Vortekz, Drake Younger, Sick Nick Mondo, Ian Rotten, The Necro Butcher, Danny Havoc, and JC Bailey have scars on their backs, arms, and chests...sometimes in addition to forehead scars.  Some only have body scars and wish not to scarify their face.  Some look down on this form of scarification as it is very dangerous if not done properly...even then, there is still a chance of injury.  Hence the reason they get paid for what they do and it's a rare occupation and a misunderstood art form.

## Healing
The common opinion on healing a scarification wound is that it should be treated with irritation.
- If an enclosed space --such as a circle -- is cut or branded, it is possible that the skin inside of the closed space will die off and scar due to a lack of blood flow to the area.
An alternative view is described by the acronym LITHA, meaning Leave It The Hell Alone. In body modification this is often considered the best way to reduce the risk of infection and the pain of healing.

## Dangers/cautions
Scarification is intentionally causing harm or trauma to the skin; thus it is not safe.
- Infection is a concern. Not only do the materials for inducing the wounds need to be sanitary, but the wound needs to be kept clean, using anti-bacterial solutions or soaps often, and having good hygiene in general. It is not uncommon, especially if the wound is being irritated, for a local infection to develop around the wound.
- The scarification artist needs to have a working knowledge of the anatomy of human skin, in order to prevent tools cutting too deep, burning too hot (or cold), or burning for too long.
- Scarification isn't nearly as popular as tattooing, so it is harder to find artists experienced in scarification.
- Precautions are made for brandings, such as wearing masks, because it is possible for diseases to be passed from the skin into the fumes produced when the skin is burning.