Scalpelling

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A fresh ear before and after being scalpelled to 00gauge (10 mm)

Scalpelling is a body art procedure similar to body piercing for the creation of decorative perforations through the skin and other body tissue, and is most commonly used as a replacement for or enhancement of ear piercing. Whereas piercing is typically performed with a hollow piercing needle or an ear piercing instrument, scalpelling is performed with a scalpel and can immediately produce holes with a larger diameter than can be achieved by piercing. This is a more rapid means of accommodating larger gauge jewellery than stretching, a technique whereby piercings are gradually enlarged by placing iteratively bigger jewellery or spacers in them.

Though the wounds associated with scalpelling are large, the extremely sharp nature of the scalpel leads to a wound which is more likely to heal cleanly and without complications. Further, the use of scalpeling rather than stretching or gauging allows for greater control over which parts of the flesh will be used and can act to correct piercings that are unbalanced or poorly located.

One potentially negative effect of scalpelling is that the holes created by the process are less likely to close naturally over time than those from stretched piercings. Though it is still possible in some cases, especially at smaller sizes, it is far more likely that an unwanted hole would have to be closed surgically.

Scalpelling is a fairly new body modification technique, and is still quite rare. It is most commonly used on earlobes, though it can theoretically be used to grow any corporal modification.

Scalpelling should not be confused with a form of scarification, whereby images are inscribed in a person's skin using a scalpel.