[Mike_J]

SI vs Body Art
These days body art includes tattoos, scarring and branding.
So where do you draw the line between body art and SI? Or is there a line?
So if I want to cut, but decide to do so in a manner that leaves an interesting scar, does that count as SI or Body Art?
Same situation just put in the other viewpoint, say you want some body art, and decide on a cool scar instead of a tattoo, you decide to do the work yourself. So that just Body Art, or dose it still count as SI?
I don’t have the answer to these questions, well I could pick the answers that make me look not so messed up. I could write off a good portion of my SI as Body Art, then POOF one of my issues has been cut in half, and going forward I could just call it all Body Art, then one of my major issues has suddenly disappeared, all it takes is how you (I) decide to answer the above questions.

[caring_whiterose]

I used to think like that but I think body at and SI are total different. Body art you express yourself in many ways and it is safe to do. As in SI only leaves scars and shows the pain.

For example most people will not get tattoos of cuts. Keeping is very dangerous and if not pretty at all. (note being mean). I used to SI a lot. I also have a couple tattoos but when I look at my scars it only makes me sad.

Stay strong. ((((((((((((mike)))))))))))))

Originally Posted by Mike_J

SI vs Body Art
These days body art includes tattoos, scarring and branding.
So where do you draw the line between body art and SI? Or is there a line?
So if I want to cut, but decide to do so in a manner that leaves an interesting scar, does that count as SI or Body Art?
Same situation just put in the other viewpoint, say you want some body art, and decide on a cool scar instead of a tattoo, you decide to do the work yourself. So that just Body Art, or dose it still count as SI?
I don’t have the answer to these questions, well I could pick the answers that make me look not so messed up. I could write off a good portion of my SI as Body Art, then POOF one of my issues has been cut in half, and going forward I could just call it all Body Art, then one of my major issues has suddenly disappeared, all it takes is how you (I) decide to answer the above questions.

[granite1]

i dont think it is the actual behavior of SI that is the question for me as much as it is the intent. did i get my tatoo because i wanted body art or did i get my tatoo on the part of my body that hurts the most and was a socially acceptable way to SI.and i can think about my tatoo as the same as i think about my my scars. i believe the answer is all in the intent

I think one day they may be viewed as one and the same.

[paintingravens]

I've often wondered this myself.

A couple of times, I've SI-ed through designs. Like once I cut a swirly, maybe henna-like design on my hand, and another time I cut a snowflake into my thigh. This is technically scarification, but in these instances, they were done not primarily as body art--like, the main reason for doing so was not just to make permanent art. For me, it was SI that resulted in body art.

I guess one could use the scarified body art as an excuse to hide SI intentions, but I kinda liked to see it as turning pain into something beautiful and artistic, rather than just ugly lines across my skin... not that I'm SUGGESTING it or anything, lol...

[Nemo39122]

I think it depends on the reasons behind it. If you genuinely want to hurt yourself and hate the scars, then its SI, but if you just for example cut yourself because you think scars look cool then that would be body art. I would consider tattoos almost always body art unless the reason you want as tattoo is the pain of getting one.

I remember when one of the first times I tried to stop SI I tried to give myself a tattoo so it "doesn't count" as SI. Now I see that it does, but I tried to trick myself then. Which brings up the question, maybe some people get tattoos because they subconsciously want to SI. Or not. Just overthinking a bit

[Sannah]

I don't buy it and I don't think you buy it either ............

[thine_self_untrue]

I think there's a definate difference between cutting a design and inking it.

To me, body art CELEBRATES a person. When you get a tattoo or a piercing, you're doing it as self decoration and expression, you do it out of love.

Self injury is something I do because I hate myself. I might get some sick pleasure out of seeing those angry red lines, but not because they celebrate me. Not because I made them out of love and respect for myself.

I don't think the majority of people who get tattoos go in thinking about how great it's going to be to physically hurt. Sure, maybe some people do. Does that mean it's fine to self injure in the name of body art? No. If you get a tattoo for the purpose of hurting yourself, I say it's self injury.

Just my half baked opinion.