Body Piercing: Motivations and Implications for Health

Abstract

Body piercing has evolved from a behavior once considered extreme to an accepted choice among the general population. Earlobe piercing is so common that it is now considered a normative behavior. The motivations for choosing body piercing have changed and are associated with piercing site and number of piercings chosen by the individual. Meanings ascribed to body piercing were traditionally related to enhanced sexual desirability and experience, but now range from the innocuous, such as a fashion statement, to the risk laden, such as nonsuicidal self-injury. Professional piercers are the primary providers of piercing services, and people will first turn to their professional piercer for advice when complications of the site arise, thus delaying entry into needed health care. Health care providers are often perceived as uninformed, dismissive, and biased against individuals, who are pierced particularly those with multiple piercings and piercings in intimate areas of the body. Common complications of piercing include infection, bleeding, and problems relating to tissue trauma and scarring, and are reported by nearly 50% of individuals who are pierced. Metal allergies can develop as a result of piercing, making the type of jewelry used for body adornment an important consideration. Additionally, management of the piercing site becomes critical under certain conditions, such as during pregnancy and birth, lactation, or surgery. This article provides information supporting midwives and other health care providers to offer anticipatory guidance and health care services in a nonjudgmental and supportive manner to individuals choosing body piercing.

Women and Tattoos: Fashion, Meaning, and Implications for Health

“…A few states mention tattooing of female genitalia as falling under Type IV Female Genital Mutilation. It is unlikely that prosecution would result if a sober adult woman chose a genital tattoo under conditions of fully informed consent . Some states require that tattoo artists provide oral or written instructions for aftercare of the tattoo .…”

“…Cinnabar (mercury sulfide) was the red pigment believed to be responsible for allergic reactions in the past, but modern adjustments to red ink, including azo dyes, have not eliminated problematic skin reactions in red tattoos . Nickel, a common contaminant in tattoo ink, is a known allergen (Table ) …”

“…So‐called temporary tattoos, resulting from pigments, dyes, or other materials that stain or adhere to the skin, are most often decorative, although emerging technologies are exploring the use of tattoo‐based wearable electrochemical sensors to monitor health indices . Much of the existing literature on tattooing explores piercing and tattooing together, yet these body modification choices differ in motivations and health consequences . Meanings ascribed to body piercing include a range of expressions from benign fashion statement and enhanced sexual desirability to risk‐laden nonsuicidal self‐injury .…”

“…5,6 Much of the existing literature on tattooing explores piercing and tattooing together, yet these body modification choices differ in motivations and health consequences. 7 Meanings ascribed to body piercing include a range of expressions from benign fashion statement and enhanced sexual desirability to risk-laden nonsuicidal selfinjury. 7 Tattoos are more often reflective of personal narrative and self-expression.…”

“…7 Meanings ascribed to body piercing include a range of expressions from benign fashion statement and enhanced sexual desirability to risk-laden nonsuicidal selfinjury. 7 Tattoos are more often reflective of personal narrative and self-expression. 8 Nearly one third of adults in the United States now have at least one tattoo, an increase of 8% since 2011.…”