Body Piercing: A National Survey in France

Abstract

Background: There are no recent data available in France regarding body piercing (BP). Objective: We examined the demographics, motivations, quality of life, cutaneous conditions, and cutaneous side effects after BP within the French population. Methods: A representative sample of 5,000 individuals (aged 15 and over) from the general population responded to a survey online between April and August 2017. Data regarding demographics, BP characteristics (location, age at first piercing, hesitation, regrets, motivations, cutaneous side effects), tobacco, skin conditions (acne, contact eczema, atopic eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, vitiligo), and tattoos were collected. Respondents also filled an SF-12 quality of life questionnaire. Results: Overall, 12% of the respondents reported at least one BP (women: 19.4%, men: 8.4%, p < 0.01). The prevalence was highest among those aged between 25 and 34 years (25.8%). Individuals with BP were more likely to smoke (p < 0.01). The most common body parts for piercings were the external part of the ear (42%), the navel (24%), the tongue (15%), and the nose (11%). Gender differences included localization (belly button and nose for women, eyebrows for men) and motivations (embellishment of the body for women, individuality and sexuality for men). A total of 33.6% of the study participants reported having skin problems after BP, primarily infection (44%). Individuals with BPs were more likely to report having contact eczema, atopic dermatitis, and acne. BP was associated with a lower mental quality of life score. Conclusion: This is the largest epidemiological study on BP in France to date. It allows us to draw a precise current snapshot of French indi viduals with BP.

The prevalence of tattooing and motivations in five major countries over the world

“…3 Beside the mutations in the mevalonate pathway genes MVK, PMVK, MVD and FDPS, 1,4 mutations in SSH1, SART3 and SLC17A9 have also been suggested to be responsible for DSAP. [5][6][7] However, it is suspected that SSH1 is probably not causal to DSAP for it is not confirmed in other previous studies.…”

Filaggrin gene mutations in relation to contact allergy and hand eczema in adolescence

“…Even though skin exposures related to adornment behaviors may be substantial in adolescence, occupational and nonoccupational exposure to contact allergens and skin irritants is limited at that age, and the exposures have lasted for a relatively short period compared with exposure of adults. 18,[20][21][22] In a previous study within the BAMSE cohort, no statistically significant exposure differences were found concerning self-reported water exposure to the hands among adolescents in relation to AD or hand eczema. 22 Despite the strength of having a large study with 1822 patchtested adolescents, we have not been able to show associations between FLG mutation and contact allergy or hand eczema.…”

Hidradenitis Suppurativa Influences Tattooing Practice in Women

“…According to one study [8], the proportion of non-tattooed HS patients who intend to get a tattoo is greater compared to the general population (17 vs. 6%). Comparisons with the lower prevalence of tattoos and BP in other skin diseases [12,13] also suggest that tattooing is clearly associated with HS.…”

“…A way to appropriate the disease? DOI: 10.1159/000504436 edging the size of our selected cohort, we found a significantly higher prevalence of tattoos (37%) than in the general French adult population (10-18%) [8][9][10][11][12][13]. According to one study [8], the proportion of non-tattooed HS patients who intend to get a tattoo is greater compared to the general population (17 vs. 6%).…”

“…None of the patients reported any complication in relation to their tattoo(s) or BP. When compared to the French general population [8][9][10][11][12][13], patients with HS had tattoos and BPs more frequently, regardless of gender and age (Table 1). Tattooing and BP prevalence among HS patients also appeared higher than in other skin diseases (Table 2) [12,13].…”