Branding is burning the skin with hot metal resulting in an outline or pattern of scar tissue. Complications of branding can be infection, skin pigmentation changes and keloids. For example, when accidentally burned by a match, an average person may develop a scar the size of the matchhead. A person who develops a keloid may wind up with a scar the size of a nickel. Removal of these troublesome scars is a Catch 22.
Keloids are very difficult to remove.
So when using branding and scarification as body art, the original design may wind up looking like a blob. Because of the potential hazards to consumers, many states are proposing tougher legislation to regulate the body art business. The medical community, particularly the American Academy of Dermatology, is working together with lawmakers to set guidelines that will enable people to make artistic expressions yet be assured they are medically safe, according to Davis. Only 33 states have laws regulating the industry. Laws vary from state to state, and can regulate sanitary conditions of personnel, equipment and parlor premises, licensing of the artist, legal age of customers, and prohibit service to customers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.