BODY MODIFICATIONS Types and Examples

BODY PIERCING  A body part is punctured or cut in an effort for some type of jewelry to be worn (ex.-navel and tongue).  The actual start of the use of body piercing unknown. Due to the studies of ancient tombs and some scholarly writings, piercings have been around some 5000 years.  The healing time varies by body part. Some risks are allergic reaction, infection, scarring, and physical injury.

EAR PIERCING  Pierced ears have been around for many years and have many meanings.  Some ear piercings were used to identify men of high status, commoners, sailors used them so that if their bodies were lost at sea and washed up on shore that the earrings would be used to pay for their burial, nobility, and many other meanings. They are widely used and widely displayed.  The pain will vary depending on the section of the ear being pierced. Keyloids are a risk.  Kinds: orbital (top of ear), auricle (middle of ear), anti-tragus (above lobe), daith (above ear opening), conch (thicker cartilage above lobe), scaffold (two piercings at top of ear), anti- helix (fold of ear above opening), tragus (cartilage in front of opening), lobe, earlobe gauging, helix (between fold and face at top of ear), rook (flat area above opening)

NECK RING  Rings worn around the neck as an ornament.  Some cultures will vary in whether a male or female wears it.  When worn for a long period of time, bruising and irritation may occur.  They have to be cleaned regularly.  The look of the rings gives an impression that the neck is elongated.  Their necks will not “break” when they are removed.

TATTOO  Used to mark or declare relationship with a group.  Used as a form of expression.  Risks include the transmission of diseases due to dirty tattoo equipment, allergic reaction to some inks, keyloids, and bad designing.  Removal can cost thousands of dollars and is not a guarantee that it will completely disappear. Everyone’s body reacts differently.  Still not viewed as acceptable in all cultures.

EYEBALL TATTOO  Process of tattooing the cornea.  History dates back to 150 AD with the use of various dyes in the eyes.  Many different reasons why it is done. Some will have it done to fix a cosmetic feature as a result of something such as a disease.  There is a huge risk of blindness with the procedure.  There are many different procedures.

EXTRAOCULAR IMPLANT  Commonly known as eyeball jewelry, this was first developed in the Netherlands in  Has to be done in a medical clinic environment.  Both eyes have to be given anesthesia and liquid is delivered to the eye to separate the layers to do the implant.  Currently not available in the US. Many states are ready to deliver bans on it when it comes to the US.

SURFACE PIERCING  Done just below the surface of the skin.  The body may reject the piercing, causing it to look as if it is growing out of the body.  Types – corset, Madison, nape, neck, hip, sternum, wrist, anti-eyebrow.

TRANSDERMAL IMPLANT  Body heals like a piercing.  The skin is lifted in order for the implant to be placed under the skin.  Some people may have an irritation to the implant.

MICRODERMAL IMPLANT  Body may reject the implant.  There is less risk than the transdermal implant.  Still a risk of scarring.

TONGUE SPLITTING  Gained popularity in the late 1990s.  Requires a cutting of the tongue.  Also known as forking.  Heals relatively fast, but at risk of paralysis in the face.

CRANIAL BINDING  Process of shaping the head intentionally.  Comes in many different forms – shaping the head of an infant to make it rounder to some cultures shaping it for their appearance in their tribal community.

FOOT BINDING  Process of controlling the growth of the feet. Some cultures do it to make the feet smaller.  A common ancient Chinese practice for court dancers.  Caused permanent disabilities.  Process started in children aged 4-9 years. The risk of infection was high.  The toes were broken and wrapped under the foot, The bones in the arch were also broken as the foot was forced in small wrappings. The process was usually started in the winter because the cold would help with the pain by causing numbness.

BRANDING  May be used to show membership in a group.  Many debates on the use of it. For example, why African American fraternities use it for identification when it was also used on slaves.  Requires scarring due to the use of intense heat.  High risk of infection.  Requires use of intense heat.

EAR SHAPING  Requires minor surgery to reshape the ears, usually into an “elf” look.  Process can be used as cosmetic fix due to an injury.  Should be done in a medical clinic.

SCARIFICATION  Process of removing a layer of skin to result in a scab and then a scar.  Risk of infection is high.

TOOTH FILING  Process of filing the teeth into shapes such as the teeth of an animal.  Some cultures use it to make their women unattractive to those outside of their tribal units. Some use it as a rite of passage.  Could weaken the teeth and cause them to break off.  The pulp could be exposed, causing nerve sensitivity.

YAEBA  Growing trend in the Japanese culture where a “double tooth” is added to the upper canines and gives them a “snaggle tooth” look.