Body painting is very common and big difference between this and many other forms of body art is that the paint is only temporary. The intricate designs often take many hours to apply and are washed off in two minutes in a shower.  Body paintings range from face painting to all over decoration.

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Taking this a step further we get to tattooing, piercing of various kinds, and the more extreme branding, scalpelling and scarification.

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Most people are familiar with tattooing in all its forms whether it be full body, or small discreet patterns on normally unseen areas.  Tattooing is actually becoming more and more popular in many parts of the western world, although it did originate in tribal cultures in Polynesia and Africa. The art itself has come a long way from the days when it used to be done with pigment and a sharp stick.   Extreme body piercing can be seen here.

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 Piercing is also accepted even though it can in itself be quite extreme, but things like branding, scalpelling and scarification are not seen as often.

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Scarification is literally cutting patterns into the skin to cause scarring and the raised scar tissue forms the design.  Scarification is explained here.

Scalpelling is similar to piercing except that instead of using a piercing needle to make a small hole, a scalpel blade is used to cut a much wider hole in the ear lobe, lip or wherever required.

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Branding is another form of scarification in which the design is burned into the skin instead of being cut into it. Strike branding is done by heating metal hot enough to sear the skin and stamping a design on with it. It is just like the method used to brand cattle.  The very latest way of branding skin for decorative purposes is by using a laser which allows very intricate designs.  Tattooing ink is often rubbed into the burned tissue.

Scarification has been used in many cultures as a rite of passage and as a means of marking various emotional events and states. It is very common in Aboriginal tribes and among the Sepik River tribes of New Guinea.

Historically, burning and branding were used to mark slaves and criminals and the Maori tribes of New Zealand use a form of facial scarification rubbed with ink to produce tattoos. Scarification is also common among women in West Africa and New Guinea.

This shows that the use of scarification as body art is not a new phenomena. It has its origins in historical belief and legend.

So, why do people in this modern age opt for scarification to decorate their bodies?

There may be many reasons why people turn to this painful and somewhat barbaric form of body art .Firstly, among dark skinned people, scarification is more visible than tattoos and therefore preferable to many. The endorphins produced by the body during the scarification process are also thought to produce a real ‘buzz’, or a type of euphoria.

How is scarification done?

There are many different methods of achieving body art of this type and results depend very much on skin type, the depth of the cuts and how the wound is healed during healing. All these things affect the end result. It is the human body that creates the scarring, not the artist, so results can vary. . Scars tend to spread during the healing process so the actual design of scarring tends to be very simple. Complex designs can get swallowed up during the healing process of the skin. Marks may be made by branding, cutting and abrasion and in Africa cuts are sometimes packed with clay to stop them closing up too much during healing.

The Dangers Of This Art Form

Scarification deliberately causes harm to the skin and this can lead to infection. Artists who do this kind of work need to know about anatomy so that they can make sure that cutting tools don’t go too deep. This is not an easy art and it is much more difficult to find experts in this kind of body art than it is to find tattooists.

Tattoos are all the rage and the new trend in the world of tattoos is having your tongue tattooed. This new sizzling fashion trend provides you with numerous options. For example, you can have your tongue tattooed in a variety of colors whether it be red, lime green, orange, or aqua. However, if  you are having a hard time selecting a color for your new tongue tattoo you might invest in a box of popsicles to see which color has more appeal.

Another option is  you can have your whole tongue tattooed which might include tribal designs, stars or whatever design that will allow you to express yourself. Stars seem to be very popular for the tongue and since this artwork is everlasting some suggest purchasing a box of stars like the ones your teacher would give you for doing well on a particular assignment at school. This way you can be certain of the placement of the stars on your tongue and have some idea of what the end product will look like before the drill starts pulsating your tongue.

The other alternative that seems to be very popular is to purchase decals that you can experiment with before actually committing to a particular style or design. This will give you the opportunity to admire your tongue in the mirror and see if this is the design that best represents you as a person. However, keep in mind any design or style can be tattooed on the tip of the tongue, farther back or near the middle of the tongue.

This type of procedure will make many squirm and certainly isn’t for the faint of heart. Especially, when they are told that a particular tool must be used to extend the tongue before the tattoo artist can begin applying his artwork. However, many who have had this done before describe it only as a tickling sensation and the process is quick provided you can keep your composure in check by not gagging or wanting to get up and run!

If you have the desire to participate in the latest trend of tongue tattoos then you will want to make certain you are not the guinea pig and that the tattoo artist is highly skilled in this field.  Tongue tattoos like any other tattoos come with many risks. Therefore, make certain that the tattoo parlor you select meets all health requirements and you fully understand that this tongue tattoo will be with you forever!

Myths about Getting a Tattoo

One of the most prevalent myths associated with getting a tattoo is that it will hurt worse than anything imaginable.  While there is some pain involved, it can be likened more to a sunburn than childbirth as some people would have you believe.  In addition, a skilled and qualified tattoo artist has a number of techniques to ease the discomfort that you might feel.  The second myth is the idea that they bleed a lot.  In most cases, unless you have a clotting problem, this is simply not true.  On occasion there is minor bleeding when the tattoo is being filled in, but any bleeding will heal within about 10 minutes.  The bandages that you wear after getting the tattoo are simply to protect the sensitive skin.

Another common myth about getting the tattoo is that some inks hurt more than others.  In actuality, the color of the ink has little to do with the amount of pain involved with the tattoo.  Rather, the fact that lighter colors are often added at the end when the skin is more sensitive might have something to do with the creation of that myth. Another related myth is that certain shades fade faster than others, or that tattoos will eventually turn blue.  While this myth might have been somewhat true for inks used approximately 40 years ago, the current inks have been formulated to reduce fading and changing colors.

Myths about Tattoo Professionals

While the popularity of tattooing has increased over the decades, the artists who bring the artwork to life haven’t always been seen in the best light.  Quite a number of people see tattoo artists as being lazy, unintelligent, unable to get a real career, and possibly having a criminal past. In actuality, to become a qualified tattoo artist, a person has to undertake years of training, in types of pigments, time management, sterilization, hygiene, and dealing with blood.  In quite a number of states, they need to be licensed to even open up a tattoo parlor.  Plus, they need to have the intelligence to listen and take the ideas of their clients and transform them into beautiful artwork.  Given all they need to be able to do, tattoo artists need to be some of the most intelligent and dedicated people around.

Medical Myths about Tattoos

Another problematic set of tattoo myths is those associated with the medicine.  One common myth is that having a tattoo will cause the patient to experience more pain, or even their skin to explode when undergoing an MRI test.  The probably origin of this myth is the idea that tattoo pigment contains large amounts of metals such as mercury, lead or iron to maintain their vibrant colors.  While some inks may have miniscule amounts of metal in them, most of them are water based, and proven to be medically stable.  Even if the tattoo ink of your tattoo was drawn with pigments containing traces of metal, the amount is not enough to cause a reaction within an MRI. 

Often, the combination of pregnancy, tattoos, labor and delivery creates a lot of misgivings for many people.  While it is not advisable for a pregnant woman to get a tattoo due to the slight risk of obtaining diseases that can effect the health of both the mother and child, other tales of danger have been blown way out of proportion.

The first myth is that a pregnant woman who has a tattoo on her back cannot obtain an epidural to easy the pain during delivery.  In fact, some medical professionals will refuse to administer the epidural through a tattoo because they are afraid of the ink contaminating the medicine.

However, according to the American Pregnancy Association, a leading research and public relation group for pregnant women, very few studies have been done on the risks that could exist for women with back tattoos that also receive an epidural.  The studies that have been undertaken have not found data that indicate that there are risks.  However, since the evidence is still inconclusive, it is a good idea to contact the hospital that will be handling your delivery to find out their policy.

These are just a few of the common myths associated with tattoos and tattoo artistry.  With the growing popularity of this ancient art, it is important that those wanting a tattoo, or even those who simply interact with tattoo aficionados on a regular basis understand the difference between the myth and reality.

It is best to make several trips to the tattoo studio before getting a tattoo. You should observe if the establishment is clean. Remember, they will be using a tattoo gun that almost sounds like the drill a dentist uses putting  ink into your skin around 2,000 times a minute and you want to make certain this place is clean.

Next watch to see  that gloves, cups, and needles have been sterilized. One way to make certain of this is to have the tattoo artist open up sealed packaged supplies in front  of you, before he begins his work. Using the same needle more than once will almost guarantee a major infection.  However, a good tattoo artist  will want you to be comfortable and most are happy to answer your questions. Therefore, if you are uncertain about the procedure you need to stop and ask, immediately.

You should constantly be observing the artist’s every move. Take notice if he failed to wash his hands before he starts working on you and make certain he doesn’t  have any cuts or open wounds that could jeopardize your safety.

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Just as with tattooing, other forms of body modification have existed for many centuries.  Modifications can be something simple such as ear piercing or more dramatic such as scarification. 

Ear piercing dates back to ancient times when it was believed that the metal used for piercing would ward off evil spirits.  If the ears were pierced the spirits couldn’t enter the body through the ear canal. 

Nose piercing can be dated back to biblical times as read in the book of Genesis.

Tongue piercing was practiced by the Aztecs.  It was done to draw blood and induce an altered state of conciousness. 

Lip piercing originated from African tribal cultures.  It was used as a status symbol and only the highest ranking male members of society were allowed to wear them. 

Some people choose to go even further and have their genitals pierced.  Genital piercing is practiced in many parts of the world for various reasons, mostly sexual. 

Eyeball tattooing is an up and coming practice.  It can be very dangerous and should only be done by an experienced, licensed individual. 

Transdermal implants consist of an anchor being placed beneath the surface of the skin and an object screwed into the anchor.  The most common type of transdermal implants are spikes, often on the head. 

There are also subdermal implants.  They are usually made of silicon and placed under the skin.  You will often see them as horns on the forehead.

Surgical cosmetic procedures are also a form of body modification.  breast implants, collagen and silicone injections are a few examples of this type.

Some forms of modification are more accurately referred to as mutilation.  As is the case in genital cutting in some cultures.  It is done to young girls reaching the age of puberty to ensure they will not enjoy sex and therefore will not stray from their partners. 

Genital bisection is a male form of mutilation.  In this procedure the penis is split done the middle resulting in the appearance of two penises.  Functionality remains even though the penis will curl into an unnaturl shap when erect and may cause difficulty during penetration.

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Tongue splitting is widely practiced.  This is when the tongue is cut down the center to form two halves that will act independantly of one another.  It also gives the person the appearance of having a serpent-like tongue.

Corsetry or tightlacing dates back to the 16th century.  It involves the waist being cinched very tightly and was originally done by women to help accentuate their feminine curves.

Tooth filing is practiced in Africa, Indonesia and the Phillipines as well as in the United States.  Most often teeth are filed into points to give the appearance of fangs.

Scarification involves cutting the skin with any type of sharp object to cause scars or keloids to form.  This is done in many tribes to welcome youngsters into adulthood or to show which tribe they belong to.  Branding is another form of scarification and is done in much the same manner as branding livestock.  Any type of scarification puts a person at risk for infection and should only be done by a professional.

These are just a few forms of body modification being practiced around the world.  There are way too many to try to mention all of them.  With so many people doing such horrific things to their bodies we may start to wonder why.  Is it because they want attention?  Or is it because they want to feel beautiful?  Or could it possibly be that they just can’t seem to get comfortable in their own skin so they continue to modify it hoping that one day they will be at peace with their body?

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As everyone knows tattooing is an ancient practice reading the story we can see this on the Egyptian, Roman, Chaldean and Chinese and on this side of the world in the Maya and other tribes, it is now fashionable among young and also those who are no longer so young.

The dangers are many but I mention these:

The Aesthetic

Some people get tattoos just for decorating your body, a practice common in women is tattooed lower back, hips, the idea is that the pants or the type of clothes let you see something or not, but such practices hinders the epidural, which will need at the time of delivery.

On the other hand there are people who get tattoos on their genitals directly or very close to them being very sensitive places with too much traffic and veins connected to the central nervous system and sexual activity itself, imagine a bad practice on the part of the tattoo making and run the risk of chopping a major vein and suffer some form of bleeding, others tattooed face and threatening eyes eyes, finally.

 I have seen adolescents who get tattoos and then when they finish developing the tattoo is distorted by that grew or gained weight, moving from its original position.

The Social

 In Latin America Tattoos have a background of violence and crime rather than aesthetic, in most Latin countries tattooed people belong to a gang or extremist group even some kind, or are relatives or friends of them, few of which tattoos by choice most of them do that friends influenced him to do so, it is no secret to people with tattoos are seen as rebellious, there are even companies that do not hire people with marks (tattoos).

 So the tattoo run the risk of being singled out or discriminated against depending on where you live.

The Biological

While not wanting to accept men who promote tattoos as art, the truth is that the tattoo run the risk of various diseases directly or indirectly, and many of them fatal, the AIDS virus and then leads the hepatitis B and C dermatitis allergic, and granulomas formation among others.

The Psychological

Although to this day been crazy for anyone to have tattooed the truth is that those who get tattoos you see one gives them a sort of anxiety and tattooing and tattooing continue until there is truly no single space in a clean body ( but not all) but most if, and is well known that everything that causes addiction is not good now as you assure me if you want a tattoo do not want to then make another and another and another.

The Spiritual

From the standpoint of Christianity the Bible teaches that the practice is not pleasing to God, and that no person should do this and other things, but the Bible also teaches that God made us all accountable for our decisions, so that if you take the decision to do so you and only you will be accountable to God for it.

Imminent danger here is the picture you choose, it is known that there are symbols that were used in antiquity to invoke some demons or Satan himself, and if you use it you will soon have even spiritual agent (not God) by claiming your body and your life because its brand (the symbol you chose so you see not knowing) so credited.

Body modification has become quite talked about lately and tattooing is one of the beautiful forms of modifying ones body. 

The art of tattooing dates back to the second millenium B.C.  There have been mummies found with tattoos covering there bodies. 

Tattoos can be done in a number of ways.  The most common being with an actual electric gun-type machine that is made specifically for tattooing.  (Some cultures, such as the Japanese, choose to use a hand operated needle to insert the ink into the skin.)  A tattoo gun will drive an ink covered needle into the skin approximately 80-150 times per second.  Much quicker than traditional methods.

In early times, the ink was derived from natural ingredients such as plants.  Now it is mass-produced form several inorganic materials such as titanium dioxide and iron oxides. 

Tattoos are used for many reasons throughout the world.  During the holocaust prisoners were tattooed with numbers for identification purposes.  Some cultures use tattooing as a religious rite of passage into adulthood.  Tattoos can be used for breast reconstruction to make and areola where one is lacking.  Make-up can be permanently tattooed onto ones face.  And, of course, some people just choose to be tattooed because they love the art.    

Alot of today’s society tend to look down on those who are tattooed.  The thinking is still that these people must be in a gang or rebelling against something.  This is rarely the case.  I was actually told by my previous employer that I had to cover my tattoos because it gave the impression of a loose lifestyle and I would frighten our elderly customers.  I have started many conversations with tattooed individuals and discovered that many get tattooed in rememberance of a loved one they have lost or to show an obstacle in life they have overcome. 

The one drawback of tattooing is the fact that there is an open sore and blood involved.  This leaves you at risk for infection and diseases including staph, tetanus, hepatitis and HIV.  You should be sure that your tattoo artist wears gloves and opens all instruments from sterile packaging.  Be sure to keep it clean to avoid infection and don’t let your friends touch it when they want to see. 

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If you think you may want to have a tattoo but are not quite sure, you may want to try an alternative first.  Henna is a dye that is painted onto the skin and can last for up to two weeks.  It will eventually wear off.  As for the real thing you would need to have it removed by laser.  This can be costly and even more painful than the tattoo itself was and it may not be possible to remove it completely.  So make sure that what you get is really what you want because it will be there forever.

As consumers we are exposed to outrageous marketing tactics that persuade us to believe that eyelash extensions and acrylic tip nails are a must have beauty accessory. We are all guilty of indulging in these instant gratification products in an effort to keep up with the times and be a part of the ever evolving self modification standards.

There are three distinct types of consumers for body enhancing products:

1. The Must-Haver who dedicates their spare income to fill their frown lines with the newest FDA approved products and stand nude in a public booth to fool people into thinking they just returned from a weekend get away in Cabo.
2. The Selective Indulgent who is critical of the Must Have-Er yet finds herself at the local salon every month to get her roots touched up and a modest bikini wax.
3. The Anti-Glam who refuses to succumb to media intervention and feels we are all pawns in the game of life. However don’t let this anti- glam fool you, she too can be found at the local tattoo shop pondering her next piece of wearable art.

For decades women have spent thousands of dollars on beauty services ranging from hair coloring and body waxing to Cosmetic enhancement. It has become the social norm to modify your body in the ways that the media dictate as being socially acceptable and most women would not categorize themselves as or even understand what it means to be a body modified individual.

There exists a whole other world of body modification that is much less main stream and breaking slowly into the market of available services for men and women. It is extreme and alternative modification to your body that is not bound by social norms or acceptance but rather driven by the insatiable need to view your body as a work of art.

Tattoos and body piercings have made their statement and are slowly gaining acceptance among the masses. Not to long ago, people with tattoos were viewed as a lower class and it was thought outrageous to permanently brand your body. We are now seeing more and more television shows based around the art and culture of tattoo and body piercing and surprise surprise, the masses are starting to become intrigued! What most consumers do not know is that tattoo and body piercings are just the tip of the ice berg in alternative body modification. There is an underground world of less socially acceptable body mods that are misunderstood and misrepresented and the main reason is lack of knowledge and fear.

The Top 5 Alternative Body Modifications You’re Afraid to Ask About

1. Scarification
   

   

   Scarification is the act of etching, cutting or the removal of skin in words, designs or patterns. This is in no way a new form of expression. Scarification has been a cultural practice for decades, often in adolescence to represent a rite of passage or to signify emotional growth.  Scarification is not to be confused with “cutting” which in some cases is an emotional release of misdirected feelings.

2. Subdermal Implants
   

   

   A sub dermal implant is typically silicon or Teflon that is surgically implanted under the skin to caused a raised effect. This is not much different from breast implants, it’s just bringing attention to other parts of your body through other means.

3. Splitting

   

   Splitting is most commonly recognized in the form of a tongue split. This practice is most commonly done through surgical scalpeling or surgical laser. There are also extreme splitting practices to the gentiles.

4. Corsetry

   

   A corset is worn to mold and shape the torso into the desired shape and size. This is often practiced to achieve extreme changes in ones body shape through regular tight lacing.

5. Stretching

   

   Another form of body modification that got its start centuries ago as a cultural practice. This is the act of slowly stretching skin over time and is in some cultures is viewed to carry the mark of an experienced warrior.

These practices are hidden to much of the population and viewed in a much different light then most conventional methods of body alternation. Though some may be harder to swallow then others, it is no different then throwing Botox parties or vaginal rejuvenation. In a world where people strive for a bizarre ideal of aesthetic perfection, there are people who’s ideas differ from the norm, set them apart and allow them to feel like their bodies are a living work of art.

Not too long ago, I was faced with a verbal conforntation in regard to my being heavily tattooed. The woman confonting me had more self tanner on her body then I did tattoo’. She refused to accept that her spending $600 a month on hair coloring, tanning and nail tips was no different then me spending the same on tattoos. In her mind, her modifications were simply to make her look and feel good and could not conceivably understand wanting to get a tattoo. I tried to educate her on the difference in our lifestyles but she had her mind made up about me and the choices I made.

All we can ask for is the respect to make our own decisions when  it comes to our bodies. We may not understand another persons choices but we can allow them the right to make those choices with out prejudice. Information and tolerance is the only option in a society that is so easily influenced by the media. For those that  allow themselves to be told by celebrities what is right for their body, they have no place to frown on those who make educated decisions about what goes on or in their bodies.

So where to start?

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• 1 = Helix
• 2 = Industrial
• 3 = Rook
• 4 = Daith
• 5 = Tragus
• 6 = Snug
• 7 = Conch
• 8 = Anti-Tragus
• 9 = Lobe

The traditional ear piercing is in the centre of the lobe and is very common (#9). Most people stop here, but an increasing number of women (not to be sexist) are getting another piercing next to that one, moving up the lobe and outwards. You can continue all the way up the skin of the lobe before you hit cartilage and you can probably fit 3 or 4 earrings here. Lobe piercings are done with a gun and are over quickly, which is part of the attraction. They generally don’t bleed or hurt too much, and they heal quickly.

Upper cartilage piercings (helix – #1) are also common these days. Some people still associate piercing the right ear with homosexuality and the left with hetero, but hardly anyone maintains these standards in modern times. I’ve heard of people getting about 10 piercings in their left ear but none in their left as a gay pride statement, but I wouldn’t let it influence your decision on where to get pierced. Now this is important: CARTILAGE CANNOT BE PIERCED WITH A GUN! A lot of places offer this service, but a gun can shatter the cartilage, so don’t do it!! Cartilage piercings are done with a hollow point needle then the earring is dragged through. This is the only way to do it!

Two helix piercings can be combined to form an industrial (#2), which in my opinion, just looks cool ^_^ there’s a wide variety of jewellery you can use in these, from a straight bar to a double helix, to dangly bits in between and everything in between. You can also use chain to connect different piercings, which is a very punk/emo/goth trend.

I’ve hardly seen anyone with a rook or a daith, but I guess they’re there for the enthusiast. For me, piercing shouldn’t interfere with function, and to me, #3 and #4 would get in the way of hygiene.

Tragus piercings (#5) aren’t too uncommon these days, and they make a statement without looking too extreme. I’ve been thinking about getting one, but a friend of mine got a bad infection in hers a while ago and I can’t get that sight out of my mind! But the actual process doesn’t sound too bad – a needle is used and a cork is placed behind the tragus to prevent any injury. There aren’t any nerve endings in the tragus as it is mostly cartilage. I think posts generally look cuter than rings and this is definitely the case for tragus piercings.

Antitragus piercings are done just opposite the tragus (#8). Like most cartilage piercings, they can take months to heal fully.

Ok, ear tunnels – earlobe stretching. This has been done in primitive cultures for centuries. It is motivated by the same principles as putting discs in lips and rings around necks. In this culture, the extent of body modification determines how attractive someone is. This is not the case in modern western society. I cannot understand ear tunnels. They look creepy and must hurt like a b… yeah. And this stretching is permanent; they’re going to look so strange in a nursing home in 40 years… o_O

So sorry if I’ve deeply offended people with ear tunnels, I just don’t like them and don’t find them aesthetically pleasing. Think carefully before you decide to do this – 12mm is generally considered the point of no return – once you get past this, the skin with never return to its original state. And make sure you get a professional to help you. Adding larger gauge jewellery to a hole too quickly can damage the tissue, create keloid scar tissue and cause a lot of pain.

One last piercing which is very rare is the transverse lobe piercing – instead of piercing from front to back, this involves piercing from side to side. I’ve heard of it being done in conjunction with earlobe stretching for a very unique look.

If you’ve got a piercing I haven’t mentioned, or love your ear tunnels and want to tell me how awesome they are, please comment! I have an open mind so you’ll probably win me over

So go have fun and get your ears pierced responsibly and safely! If I hear that anyone did theirs at home with a needle and an apple… *shakes fist*