Draconic Scarification

History

Scarification is one of the most common forms of body modification in dragons, and also perhaps the oldest form of it. It is widely practiced among most flights, even across political and cultural boundaries. Simple forms of scarification, such as stags rubbing their faces on rocks and trees to form caterpillar scars for additional protection from wounds in skirmishes perhaps go back many millennia, as the practice is described in both the oldest written and oral histories.
It is believed by many that scarification is preferred among dragons as opposed to other body modifications such as tattooing due to the way they shed their scales when damaged, as well as the properties of their scales themselves. When damaged, even by fine tools such as needles, dragons shed the outermost layer of their skin in the effected area until all damage is healed or shed away, making it difficult to keep fine lines and hues if pigmentation added stays at all. There is additional issues with that most scales are very opaque, and tattooing under them with any pigment other than black is extremely difficult to do while still having any designs be visible.
In modern times, scarification does seem to be falling out of favor among younger dragons, instead falling by the wayside for semi-permanent dyes, henna, and illusions to change one's appearance rather than permanent scarring. Generally, this is seen in close association with areas high in Naga population, as many groups of naga already have similar practices as forms of self expression, and generally most products produced for and by the naga are quite effective on dragon scales. This is not to say that scarification in these areas has completely fallen out of favor however, as many still often take part in the practice. Particularly with members of the Blood Dragonflight, temporary dyes and hennas are often used to plan out later designs and adjust them before any permanent mark is made.
Many, especially in more traditional cultural and ethnic groups do still opt for scarification however, instead preferring more decorative designs with thinner and more elaborate structure over deep scarring meant to replicate claw or bite wounds. While still not entirely traditional, this form of the practice is still well accepted by even the most staunchly traditionalist.

Execution

Regardless of region and cultural norms, all scarification rituals are performed in clean environments with strict control over the individual under going it's diet, medication, and drug use leading up to the procedure. Many medications, especially those affecting blood pressure and pain tolerance, can have adverse effects and can cause significant harm to the individual such as uncontrolled bleeding, nerve damage, infection, or improper healing. Generally, dragons are required to not be on any antibiotics at the time of the procedure or undergoing any kind of immune suppressing medical care during the healing process. Healing magics are also not allowed to be used and all wounds must heal naturally unless they have become infected.
Usually most scarification is done on a small localized area, especially for one's first procedure. Most parlors regulate that they will not perform a scarification larger than 1 foot in diameter if a dragon has not had it done before and require that breaks be taken every 20 minutes for at least just as long. Wounds are created using a variety of tools, generally depending on the desired look for the scars (scalpels and knives generally leaving finer cuts or allowing for the removal of tissue entirely, while hooks can leave a rough texture) and are often cauterized throughout the process. Oftentimes when thicker designs are chosen and those meant to mimic injuries, sections of skin are removed, however rarely these go deeper than the surface skin to prevent muscle damage.
Healing from scarification generally takes 3-6 weeks depending on the size of the piece. Daily washing is highly encouraged as well as the use of antibiotic ointments, vitamin supplements, and protein rich diets alongside minimal movement of the affected area and plenty of rest. The first two weeks of healing, alcohol consumption and blood thinning medications are also highly discouraged due to the risk of the wounds opening and bleeding, though once they are sufficiently scabbed and scarred, their use can be resumed. Fully healed scarification can last for centuries due to the process of cutting away the scale beds, preventing scales from growing over the wounds and sealing them- many dragons have had scarification work last for millennia with few if any touch ups at all as long as they are properly cared for. Due to changes in diet, one's genetics, or injury however, it is not a rare occurrence for scarification work to require the occasional touch up, especially if caterpillar scars form within the wounds. Many parlors recommend seeing a scarification specialist, generally the one that did the initial work, at least once per century to determine if further work is needed to maintain the piece.

Components and tools

All scarification is done using sterilized tools of various forms, though it can vary depending on region and flight.
In more traditional groups, oftentimes scarification is done by a specialist member of the flight, almost always a wyrm, flight leader, or individual of high cultural importance, and done using their own claws. Oftentimes this individual is male and makes use of the spurs on their forelimbs, though not always. In the Blood and Kindal Dragonflights, the claws are often dipped in extremely potent alcohol and burned prior to making any mark, though many areas specify that this does not count as adequate sterilization and is often done for ritual purpose prior to any cuts.
Less traditional areas, those with less draconic population, or more focus on personal designs rather than scars designed after wounds are known to have specialized parlors for performing the art, generally located in or nearby businesses related to other forms of body modification such as tattoo and piercing parlors. These parlors are highly regulated and require specialists trained and certified in the art in order to practice, often having to meed extremely high standards for cleanliness, wound care, and have some form of first aid and blood infection training. Most often parlors, even those owned and operated by dragons, will opt for using specialized scalpels, knives, hooks, and needles for creating their designs rather than claws.

Participants

Scarification is only done on subadult or adult dragons. Individual laws, restrictions, and cultural norms may dictate specific ages in which it is allowed, generally with the lowest allowed ages being no younger than 20 years of age. Some regions, particularly among the Solar Dragonflight's territory, may require that individual dragons must have taken on a mate prior to being allowed to get any scarification performed.

Observance

Due to the age restriction, scarification is often seen as a coming of age ritual among dragonkin and often saved for special occasions marking early adulthood- moving out from their parents' lands, their first victory in a territorial skirmish, taking on their first mate, or establishing their own territory for the first time. Many dragons do often wait for more significant life events before getting any scarification work, such as establishing a permanent territory, the birth of their first clutch, or the first kill of a rival. Some regions do also allow for younger dragons to undergo the process with parental permission, though almost always with strong reasoning behind it such as in memorial for a parent or sibling, or for ritualizing their first solo hunt.
It is not uncommon for significant events to also be memorialized through the process in older adult dragons, both positive and negative. The loss of offspring or mates, territorial losses and gains, births, age milestones, or marks of criminal acts are also signified through scarification. Though there has been extreme push back against it, scarification is also used to denote criminals among dragons, usually those who have been exiled from draconic society or performed extremely abhorrent acts such as rape, murder in cold blood, or the murder of hatchlings.