All You Need To Know About Body Modification

Human body is a gift of nature but the aesthetic appearance of it is the by-product of culture. Reshaping a body and body modification have been part of mankind since primitive ages. The modern era is not different; instead it has evolved the primitive culture into a modern primitive movement. People of various ages are involved in this movement for various reasons like Religious beliefs, Aesthetics, body art, self-expression, sexual enhancement or a group affiliation.

- Achita Ahuja

Body modification is defined as a deliberate alteration in the natural physical appearance or anatomy. We try to transform or modify our body in various different ways like dieting, bodybuilding, tanning, tattooing and piercing. Tattooing and piercing have evolved out of aesthetic prestige given to scarification, the latter becoming increasing popular in young generation. Body piercing and tattoos are forms of body art that have been practiced throughout history by various cultures. The word tattoo comes from the Tahitian word ‘tattau’ which means”to mark”. Tattoos are designs on skin or relatively permanent marks on the skin made by a needle that injects colored pigment into holes made in the skin to form the tattoo.

Tattoo and piercing are ways of adorning one’s body but are mostly perceived as an expression of independence or self-mutilation. But in some countries these also have cultural and religious aspects. Various cultures have embraced adorning the human body with piercings and tattoos throughout history. Similar to tattooing, body piercing also has a long history, which includes being used as a symbol of royalty and courage. Popular piercing sites include the eyebrow, ear, nasal septum, cheek, tongue, nipple, navel, genitals. Tattoos are more or less permanent marks over the skin whereas piercing involves passing a needle though the skin rapidly without anaesthesia by either a spring-loaded gun or piercing needles. The diameter of needle may vary from 6 gauge to 18 gauges. The piercing is then penetrated by a metal jewellery to avoid closure.