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Through Definition and Skin
Body modification is performed for a large variety of reasons, including aesthetics, sexual enhancement, rites of passage, religious beliefs, to display group membership or affiliation, in remembrance of lived experience, traditional symbolism such as axis mundi and mythology, to create body art, for shock value, and as self-expression, among other reasons.
History
Body modification is recorded in ancient practices, with the tattoos on Ötzi's mummy dating to 5300 years ago.
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Cultural significance
What counts as "body modification" varies in cultures. In western cultures, the cutting or removal of one's hair is not usually considered body modification. Body modification can be contrasted with body adornment by defining body modification as "the physical alteration of the physical body [...] can be temporary or permanent, although most are permanent and modify the body forever". Around the globe, body modification has served as group ritual, rite of passage, and group membership.
Types of body modification
- Piercing – permanent placement of jewelry through an artificial fistula; sometimes further modified by stretching
- Tattooing – injection of a pigment under the skin
- Scarification – cutting or removal of dermis with the intent to encourage intentional scarring or keloiding
- Branding – controlled burning or cauterizing of tissue to encourage intentional scarring
- Subdermal implants – implantation of an object that resides entirely below the dermis, including horn implants
Psychology and motivations
Factors behind body modification include group identities, reclaiming bodies, and painful rituals.
Health and safety
Complications of body modifications may include infection and allergic reactions.
Legal considerations
Laws related to body modification vary across countries, and parental consent may be required for minors.
Ethical and social perspectives
Body modifications raise ethical questions including harm and threats to autonomy.