Has dressing your skin with colorful tattoos become too commonplace? In the world of body modifications, a new trend is making people shiver: freeze branding, literally “cold branding”.
Originally intended for livestock, this tattoo flirts with burning
This practice consists of immersing a metal pad in liquid nitrogen at -196°C, before applying it to the skin to leave a permanent mark. In other words, it is no longer a question of inking, but of burning your skin to the 2nd or 3rd degree, by freezing.
A little livestock side? You are right. The method is not new: it was historically used to brand livestock, considered a little less painful than a hot iron.
Today, it is being diverted for aesthetic reasons, and is making its debut on certain social platforms, arousing curiosity… and concern among health professionals.
Stop playing with fire: the opinion of Dr Fatya Assadi
For aesthetic doctor Fatya Assadi, this trend is not trivial and worrying in more than one way.“Freeze branding is an extreme form of tattooing. Today, some even suggest using it for cold tattoo removal, but this poses real problems”she warns.
First danger: pain. Contrary to what some people say, applying an icy metal to the skin causes an intense burn.
“This type of procedure can be extremely painful, and above all, the cold can cause deep burns. And who says burn, says risk of infection“explains Dr. Assadi.
Second risk: scarring.
“Contrary to what is often presented, there is no guarantee that the scar will be beautiful, well-defined or discreet. On the contrary, the process can result in thick, irregular or unsightly scars.” All indelibly.
But the specialist especially insists on a more serious danger: tissue necrosis. “Extreme cold can destroy cells in depth. There is a literal risk of necrosis of the skin. This is a serious complication that should not be neglected.”
Finally, some dermatologists are starting to warn of possible long-term consequences, which are still little studied.
“There is even talk of a potential long-term risk of cancer. Nothing is confirmed, but this clearly shows that this practice remains high risk.”
A categorical “NO” from professionals
For Dr Assadi, the conclusion is clear: “Tattooing or cold tattoo removal is really not a good indication. Today there are much safer methods, including laser, specifically designed to remove tattoos without damaging the skin.”
If everyone remains free to make their own bodily choices, the doctor insists on an essential point: you must be aware of the risks before embarking on this type of extreme practice. “People do what they want with their bodies, but it’s crucial to know the possible complications before getting started.” concludes our expert.
So, still hot to get your skin marked?