Scarification by Ryan Ouellette
Resistance is Futile. Performed by Ryan at Federal body piercing in Linkoping, Sweden.
collaboration with Tiana McGuire, healed over two years
combination of area removal and single line cutting
Memorial piece for Shannon Larratt, fresh.
healed at ten weeks
performed by Ryan at the London ScarCon 2013
two months into healing
performed by Ryan at the London ScarCon 2013
Scarification over black tattooing. Performed by Ryan at the London ScarCon 2013
this piece was drawn by our tattoo artist Nick Kelley and cut by Ryan
healed over two years
Healed over one year
SCARIFICATION
by Ryan Ouellette
Lord of the Blade
Follow Ryan for
scarification updates
Please read the detailed text below on the type of work I offer (and do not offer), current pricing, and how to submit a request. Inquiries without reading the information below will be delayed.
"Scarification" is a catch-all term for any process where the end result is a scar. The form of scarification I perform is with a bladed instrument. I do not offer branding, which is performed by burning the skin. If branding is what you are interested in, please consult a practitioner offering that service.​
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Ryan Ouellette (me) specializes in complex technical pieces, fine detail, and complex area removal designs. All pieces are custom designed based on client input and reference material. Some of the inquiries I receive would be better serviced as tattoo, please have realistic expectations for what can be done with a scar. I would really love to perform more work like the examples above, or like what I post on my social media (links above also). ​
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Scarification pricing, booking, and inquiry policies:
As of February 2023 I operate under a $450 minimum charge that covers basic design work and consultations, appointment preparation, set up and disposable materials, personal protective equipment, the first 2.5 hours of performance work, and aftercare product. Each additional hour of performance work is billed at $175/hour. Starting a design or booking an appointment requires a non-refundable deposit of $100 (deposit subtracted from total price) to cover consultation, design, and preparation. Additional charges may apply for complex design work.
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I do not offer any work on the face / head.
All academic, body art industry education, public health, art history, and body modification inquiries are welcome.

Scarification is a specialized service, appointments are required. To request an appointment*, or to make an inquiry email Ryan at: ryanpba@hotmail.com.
*For an appointment request please include the body location of your design, size of design idea, any factors such as existing tattoos or scars in that area, and any photos, pictures, or doodles that may help explain your idea. The more technical or specific information you can give me in the initial inquiry the better.
About the practitioner: Ryan Ouellette has been performing scarification since 2000 and is recognized as one of the world's top practitioners. He has performed scarification across the world in the United States, Canada, Japan, England, Sweden, Norway, Holland, and Germany. Ryan has also been a part of the industry's top scarification events such as the Scar Wars gatherings in Philadelphia and Los Angeles, the BMXNET conference in Germany where he instructs technique seminars, and the London ScarCon event. In November of 2013 Ryan gave a TED talk entitled "The Intentional Scar: advances in modern scarification" at the Tedx New England College event.
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Ryan has been featured in multiple online and print medias including Hellion fashion magazine, Skin & Ink magazine, Bizarre magazine, the National Geographic website, and BME (body modification e-zine). Most notably Ryan was given the moniker "Lord of the Blade" by BME founder Shannon Larratt.
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Listen to the "Keep Scarification Special" episode of the Piercing Wizard Podcast. Featuring Ryan Ouellette and Kevin Jump talking about what scarification is to them today.
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SCARIFICATION
AFTERCARE
Do not apply any ointments or chemical irritants to your piece. Wash with antibacterial or antimicrobial soap. Once washed and dried cover your piece with plastic cling wrap (use a new roll, not the one that’s laying around in your kitchen). Keep your piece covered for the majority of the day and night, but you can leave it unwrapped when showering, cleaning/drying, or to let it air out for short periods of time. You’ll need to unwrap, clean with soap and water, dry, and re-wrap your piece several times a day for the first week. Clean your piece whenever a significant amount of moisture has built up under the plastic wrap, at least 2-4 times daily. If you do not clean your piece regularly it can lead to heat rash and potentially infection. Do not soak or swim in any standing water while your piece is healing and the wound is still open. Do not touch your piece with unwashed hands, or let it come in contact with any debris while the wound is still open.
The Intentional Scar:
advances in modern scarification.
TED talk by Ryan Ouellette
Radical Beauty: Cutting Skin-Deep With a Scar Artist
by New York Magazine
performing a scarification piece in early 2013
Ryan's advanced scarification seminar at the BMXNET conference in Berlin, Germany 2012.
a packed room for Ryan's scarification lecture
performing a scarification piece in early 2013