Quick Answers
Getting tased can leave a temporary mark on the skin where the taser probes contacted the body. This mark usually looks like a small first-degree burn or abrasion. The mark should fully heal within a few days to a week, though this can vary depending on the individual and taser voltage used. No permanent scarring is expected from a single tasing incident.
What Happens When You Get Tased
A taser fires two small dart-like electrodes that are connected to the main unit by thin insulated wires. When the taser is activated, it delivers a high-voltage, low-amp electrical discharge through the wires and probes that overrides the central nervous system, causing temporary neuromuscular incapacitation.
This means that the electricity from the taser essentially hijacks the communication between the brain and muscles, causing them to contract uncontrollably. This stimulates excessive nerve firings and muscle contractions that immobilize the target during the 5 second shock.
The Contact Points
The taser probes puncture through clothing and about 1/4 inch into the skin when fired. The electricity flows between the two probes through the body’s natural moisture and conductivity.
This means the current is concentrated at the limited points where the probes contacted the body. The concentrated current can cause a small subsurface burn at those contact points, especially with longer duration shocks.
Factors That Influence Marking
Several factors influence the likelihood and severity of marking from being tased:
- Taser voltage – Higher voltage increases risk of marking
- Duration of shock – Longer shocks increase marking
- Probe distance – Greater spread increases resistance and marking
- Thickness of clothing – Thicker clothing provides some insulation
- Moisture on skin – Wet skin allows more current flow and marking
- Individual physiology – Some people mark more easily
So a higher voltage or longer duration tase directly on wet bare skin would leave more of a mark than a quick low-powered shock through heavy clothing.
What Does the Mark Look Like
The mark left by a taser probe will appear as a small first-degree burn or abrasion where the probe made contact. This may look like:
- A minor blister
- A small dot like a cigarette burn
- A clustered red abrasion
- Small superficial hole from probe puncture
There may be some localized swelling, redness, and soreness around the contact point as well. The total marked area is usually less than an inch across.
The mark can sometimes bleed a little if the probe punctured a blood vessel near the surface. But significant bleeding is uncommon.
Size of Mark Relative to Probe Spread
| Probe Spread | Typical Mark Size |
|---|---|
| 3-6 inches | Dime sized |
| 6-12 inches | Quarter sized |
| 1-2 feet | Silver dollar sized |
As seen above, the farther apart the probes land, generally the larger the individual contact marks will be.
Healing Timeframe
The mark from being tased usually heals fully within 5-7 days. However, the healing timeframe can vary substantially based on factors such as:
- Voltage/duration of tase
- Location on the body
- Depth of probe puncture
- Care of the wound
- Individual healing abilities
More superficial abrasions may heal within 3-4 days, while deeper burns with blistering can take up to 2 weeks for the skin to re-epithelialize. Areas like the face, neck, and trunk tend to heal faster than the extremities as well. Proper first aid and wound care will also accelerate healing.
Healing Stages of Taser Marks
| Stage | Timeframe | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Inflammation | Day 1-3 | Redness, swelling, pain, heat |
| Proliferation | Day 3-10 | Scab formation, new skin growth underneath |
| Maturation | Day 7-2 weeks | Scab falls off, pink new skin remains |
| Remodeling | 2-4 weeks | Fading and smoothing of new skin |
As shown in the table, the damaged skin goes through the normal wound healing stages of inflammation, new growth, and remodeling. Deeper burns that required debridement may have longer healing times.
Risk of Scarring
A single brief tase is very unlikely to cause any permanent scarring. The marks tend to heal completely back to normal skin within a month. However, there are a few scenarios where scarring is more likely:
- Prolonged or repeated tasings in same spot
- Probe embedded deep into tissue
- Existing wound or skin disorder
- Infection develops
- Inadequate wound care
- Underlying medical conditions
Repeated tasings, especially in the exact spot, can increase damage and prolong healing, leading to a higher chance of scar formation. People with conditions like diabetes or autoimmune disorders that impair healing are also at greater risk.
Overall though, the vast majority of people suffer no permanent scarring or long term cosmetic damage from being tased responsibly. The marks tend to heal reliably.
Minimizing Marking
While some marking is expected when tased, there are ways to potentially minimize the duration and severity:
- Avoid excessive repeated shocks
- Use lowest effective voltage
- Minimize duration of activation
- Spread probes further apart
- Aim for thick clothing if possible
- Proper wound care after removal
Using the lowest voltage and quickest burst needed to achieve neuromuscular incapacitation can help reduce marking risk.
First Aid for Taser Marks
Once tased, proper first aid can help minimize the wound and speed healing:
- Remove probes – Use pliers to extract probes and sterile gauze to apply pressure to stop bleeding
- Clean – Use saline or soapy water to flush the area and remove debris
- Antibiotic ointment – Apply topical antibiotic to prevent infection
- Dressing – Cover with a sterile bandage or dressing
- Pain relief – Use OTC pain medication as needed
- Monitor – Watch for signs of infection like pus, swelling, redness
Seeking medical care may be advisable if the marks are deep, show signs of infection, or cause excessive pain. Otherwise keeping the area clean and protected is key.
When to Seek Medical Care
See a doctor promptly if the taser mark shows any of the following warning signs:
- Excessive bleeding
- Signs of infection – pus, redness, heat, fever, etc
- Probe embedded deep in tissue
- Severe pain that worsens or spreads
- Numbness, tingling, or loss of function beyond site
- Located on delicate body area like face, neck, groin
- If unsure or worried about severity
For deep burns, possible embedded debris, or nerves/tendons affected, a trip to the ER is a good idea. Otherwise call your doctor.
Conclusion
In most cases, being tased leaves a temporary, minor mark from the probe contact points that heals fully within 1-2 weeks. With proper wound care and in healthy individuals, no permanent scarring is expected from a single responsible tasing. However, repeated or excessive tasings in the same area do increase the risk of lasting damage to the skin. By following sensible tasing protocols and appropriate aftercare, the short-term marking can be minimized.