Instead of using base or acidic chemicals to burn down into the skin, and instead of rubbing chemicals into cuts, some people actually inject questionable chemicals under the skin. In some cases, these blister up and form a permanent scar, resembling the inoculation marks of the past.

Chemical scarification is the use of chemical agents to damage the skin and induce scarring. Most people agree that the results achieved using this technique are not that different from those achieved using other, far simpler, safer, and more predicable methods. As such, little research has been done into this method.

Abrasive scarification is scarring achieved using friction to remove enough layers of skin to create scarring. Abrasive scarification is generally used to create subtle unraised scars, but it can be used to create almost every type and texture of scar.

Certain activities -- be it BMX racing and other extreme sports, or be it fighting or punching out windows -- tend to lead to scars because of the injuries they bring. Many view these scars as desirable, and not only seek them out by putting themselves in harm's way, and by rubbing irritants into any wounds to induce them to scar.

Almost every (but not EVERY) scarification artist working in the Western world is also a body piercer. The easiest way to find scarification artists local to you is an Internet search, coupled with visiting the better piercing and tattoo studios in your area.

I can't stop you from doing this, but the best way to get a low quality scar is to do it yourself. Self scarification, while common, is not recommended.

Most artists are self trained, but this is not the most responsible option, especially nowadays. The best way to become a scarification artist is by apprenticing under an experienced practitioner. As far as how to achieve that, get to know one on a personal level and take it from there. In addition, it is important that young people reading this realise that under no circumstances should scarification be considered as a "career" -- the commercial market is just not large enough.

Fakir Musafar (www.bodyplay.com) offers group training in traditional scarification techniques, and has recently added some modern (cautery) techniques as well.

If you are allergic to any of the medications to be injected, if you are on a blood thinning medication (e.g. Coumadin), or if you have an active infection going on near the injection site, you should not have the injection. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form without the written consent from Shishir A. Dhruva, MD

Fuel injection is a replacement for the carburetors that were around since the dawn of the automobile. There are many basic types of fuel injection, but we should start by saying what a fuel injector is - it's basically an atomizer, something that sprays a mist of gasoline into the air. This helps the gas to mix better with the air and stay in an even suspension, so that it burns more evenly and creates less pollution and more power. (Think of cooking spray vs.

The Division of Oil and Gas, Underground Injection Control Section has primacy of its injection well program. Injection well permits are issued by the Division. Please contact the Underground Injection Control Section at (614) 265-6926 for details.

The basic categories are branding (scarification through burns, either from heat, or from lasers or electrocautery devices), cuttings (fine scarification using a thin blade, sometimes coloured using tattoo ink, sometimes including the removal of patches of skin), and various other less common means including the use of chemicals and other non-traditional means.

By far the largest risk is the aesthetic one. Branding, cutting, and scarification are far from precise arts, and because the call for scarification is much smaller than that for piercing or tattooing, most artists are simply not that experienced. In addition, even experienced artists have trouble getting consistent results because there are so many variables in the healing process.

Tattooing works by reciprocating needles passing repeatedly through the surface of the skin. If a tattoo artists is too "heavy handed" (that is, tattooing too deep, or needlessly spending too much time in a given area, grinding it up), the tattoo will heal with some degree of scarring. This can be done on purpose as well.

During an epidural injection, lidocaine (a numbing medicine) and cortisone (a very strong anti-inflammatory medication) are injected into the epidural space, or spinal canal, for relief of pain. The injection is performed by a physician using fluoroscopy (X-ray) to guide the needle and medication placement. The procedure takes 15-30 minutes, with the total appointment lasting 1 ? to 2 hours.

In the U.S. EPD is generally administered by a shot injected sideways just under the skin on the inside of the forearm. The needle is inserted sideways, so the shaft is almost laying flat on the skin. The serum is injected just under the skin. This leaves a welt not unlike a large mosquito bite which subsides in a half hour or so. The needle is quite small and feels like a mosquito bite or a bit worse.