Body modification

Body modification (or body alteration) is when a person changes their body in a way that lasts forever or for a long time. There are many different kinds of body modification, like piercing, circumcision, or tattoos. Almost all cultures do some kind of body modification.

Early body mortification in 1885

Arguments

People who do not like body modification sometimes call it "disfigurement" or "mutilation." They believe that if someone changes their body, it is wrong and they are doing something dangerous or unethical.

Why people do body modification

Body modification is done for different reasons. Religions might tell people that they should change their bodies to look a certain way. Other people with body modifications might just like the way the body modifications look, or how they feel good during sex.

Kinds of body modification

Common body modification

Woman with nose piercing (Septum-Piercing

Scarification: removal of skin for decoration

• Body piercing is when a hole is made through the skin, and a piece of jewelry is put into the hole. Some piercings can be stretched so they fit larger, thicker kinds of jewelry.
• Tattooing is when ink is put under the skin to make a picture. Whole body tatooing and tattooing of the lips and eyes would be thought extreme by some.
• Scarification is when part of the skin is removed to create a scar.
• Branding is when the skin is burned to create a scar.

"Extreme" body modification

• Tongue splitting is when a person's tongue is split in two like a snake's.
• Subdermal implant is when a small object is placed right underneath a person's skin.
• Transdermal implant is when a small object is placed underneath a person's skin, but part of it pokes out of the skin and is visible.
• Extra ocular implant (eye jewellery) is when a tiny chip of metal is placed in someone's eye.

Other body modification

• Amputation is when a body part is cut off.