Tattooing Link

Piercing Link

Scarification Link

Suspension Link

Branding Link

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BODY MODIFICATION

Body modification is a variety of techniques that result in the conscious changing of the body in to a desired form. Enlarged piercings fall in to this category, and some of these ancient techniques are now being revived by modern society. Various techniques have been developed and are now employed globally for numerous cultural reasons, and their development is ongoing. In recent decades, tattooing, traditional ear (lobe) piercing and body modification through traditional cosmetic surgery have become well established and socially acceptable. Other body adornment and modification practices have expanded in popularity from their previous position as fringe activities. Techniques involving body piercing of regions other than the ears are now performed routinely. Some also undertake branding and other scarification treatments, though legal complaints relating to such treatments would have to be considered on an individual basis.

Body modification and adornment have their origins in ancient history.

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TATTOOING

The English word "tattoo" originates from the Tahitian word "tatu" which means to mark. Tattooing is widely used for body decoration and/or body modification. The outer layers of the skin are punctured with a dye-loaded needle and colour is inserted in to the dermal (lower) layer to achieve a permanent design. In modern tattooing studios an electrically driven needle or needle cluster is invariably used, and larger tattoos may take several treatment sessions to complete. Tattoos may be applied to all part of the body.

Complications that may arise from tattooing are:
• acute infections
• allergic reactions to ink and pigments
• skin complications

Tattoos are generally done by non-medical personnel with medical supervision. Techniques are often handed-down from one body modification artist to another.

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PIERCING

Body piercing refers to the process of penetrating a person's skin or mucous membrane with a sharp instrument for the purpose of implanting jewellery or other foreign material through or into the skin or mucous membrane.

Piercings can be done on many parts of the body, e.g. ears, nose, lips, nipples and genitals. The piercing is not always limited to the skin, it sometimes penetrates cartilage. A piercer's lack of knowledge of anatomy may lead to medically undesired practices. Such practices may lead to irreversible tissue damage. Accidentally piercing a nerve cell can lead to the client's loss of motor function and/or numbness.

The following complications may arise after a piercing:
• infections
• abscess formation
• allergic reactions
• scar formation
• migration or physical rejection of the jewellery

Piercing is generally performed by non-medical personnel without medical supervision. Techniques are often handed-down from one body modification artist to another.

Piercings involve deep flesh wounds that require time to heal. Depending on the location of the piercing, the type of metal used, the client's physical health, the level of expertise of the piercer doing the piercing and the aftercare, the healing may take 2 to 52 weeks. A piercing done under hygienic circumstances which receives the correct aftercare and is kept clean presents few problems in practice. Incompetent practices can cause infections.

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SCARIFICATION + BRANDING

Scarification is the creation of permanent scarring of the skin by conscious decision. Methods used may be cutting or branding. Cutting, a particular form of scarification that involves cutting of the skin with a sharp instrument. Delayed healing may be induced by maintaining an open wound or by repeatedly re-cutting in order to develop a more pronounced scarring effect.
The design may be coloured by inserting substances into the wound.  In modern studios, inks or ashes or other substances are often introduced in to the open wound to enhance the scarring effect. When the wound heals it usually leaves a pronounced scar. Branding, this is actually a form of scarification usually achieved by burning the skin with a hot metal implement in order to create a design with the patterns of scars. Although skin trauma does occur, the procedure itself is reputed to carry a lower risk of wound infection than piercing and cutting due to the cauterising effect of the heat.

Complications that may arise from scarifications are:
• infections
• abscess formation
• allergic reactions
• scar formation
• migration or physical rejection of the jewellery

Scarifications are generally done by non-medical personnel with medical supervision. Techniques are often handed-down from one body modification artist to another.

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SUSPENSION

Body suspension is the act of suspending the human body via temporary piercings made just before the suspension process. The body is then raised either partially or completely from the ground by these hooks. The hooks are typically fishing hooks that have been modified to suit the needs of suspension by removing the barbs and possible reshaping. The rigging used to suspend the person is nylon high tensile rope similar to what mountain climbers use. This rigging is then attached to a pulley system to raise and lower the suspended person. Some use suspension as a form of meditation to gain a higher level of spiritual awareness. Others use the process of body suspension to mark a significant event or a turning point in their life.

 

Types of Body Suspension
There are several common types of body suspensions.
Chest (O-Kee-Pa) – Vertical Chest Suspension; Two hooks are placed in the chest and the body is suspended vertically.
Coma – Horizontal Face Up; Hooks are placed in the chest, abdomen, arms, and/or legs and the body is suspended horizontally.
Crucifix – Vertical Back and Arm Suspension – Hooks are placed in the back and the arms so that the suspended person appears to be hanging on a cross, with his or her arms held straight out to the side.
Resurrection – Horizontal Face Up; Hooks are placed in two rows on the stomach. Suspension gives the impression of rising from death as the suspended is all curved back.
Suicide - Vertical Back Suspension; Hooks are placed in the upper back and the body is suspended vertically.
Superman- Horizontal Face Down; Hooks are placed in the back, arms, and/or legs and the body is suspended horizontally.


Things to Consider
Body suspension requires experience and a team of people to perform safely. You should never attempt body suspension by yourself as you risk serious injury or even going into shock with no means of help.
A lot of things must be considered when attempting a body suspension. It takes care and experience to determine the proper number of hooks needed to suspend the full weight of the human body. Careful consideration must also be paid to placement to ensure the tissue will hold the weight of the suspended person. If too few, or poorly placed, hooks are used they will simply rip out of the skin causing serious tissue damage.

The following complications may arise after a suspension:
• infections
• abscess formation
• allergic reactions
• scar formation

Body Suspension is generally performed by non-medical personnel without medical supervision. Techniques are often handed-down from one body modification artist to another.

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