Body Mods: Types of Body Modification

Body modification - or “body mods” if you’re really feeling it - is the deliberate altering of your body for non-medical reasons. You can go down this route to express yourself, mark a milestone, or just because it looks cool.

They range from simple ear piercings to more extreme body modification, (enter implants and dental tattoos).

Think body mods are some modern day TikTok trend? Wrong! Humans have been there, and modified that since time immemorial. Take the ancient Egyptians and the Mayans. They tattooed themselves and rocked dental inlays respectively, (long before grills became a thing). Historical body mods have always been tied to culture, beauty, and identity, whether it’s foot-binding in China or lip plates in Africa.

Some cultures have used it for rites of passage, social status, or spiritual practices. For example, neck elongation in Thailand or tooth filing in Bali reflects deeply rooted traditions.

Fast-forward to today, and the reasons have shifted and expanded. Even modern practices like tanning, bodybuilding, and cosmetic surgery are culturally influenced forms of body modification.

But you’re probably more interested in modifying your body for aesthetics, individuality, or the thrill of breaking norms rather than following ancient traditions, right

So, let’s dip into some of the most common types of body modifications.

Tattoos are quite probably the OG and one of the most common forms of body mods, with evidence dating them back to 3300 BC. After all, skin is the ultimate canvas, whether it’s tribal markings, minimalist designs or intricate sleeves.

They’re culturally significant to many different peoples for different reasons, such as:

Japan

Traditional irezumi tattoos were associated with yakuza but are now celebrated as art.

New Zealand

Indigenous cultures like the Māori use tattoos (moko) to signify social status and heritage.

Polynesia

Tattoos are rites of passage.

Modern tattoo trends? Think:

• Hyper-realistic designs that look like photographs
• UV (ultraviolet) tattoos that glow in the dark
• Bold placements like inner ears and spines
• Complementary tattoos with couples getting designs to symbolise their partnerships, like half each of the yin:yang motif

Some tattoo artists are even coming up with augmented reality designs to interact with phone apps! You can’t even begin to imagine what’s coming next.

Some of the more unusual body piercings around go way beyond basic ear piercings. Lips, noses, eyebrows, tongues, fingernails have become fair game. At the wilder end of the scale, nipples, labia lips, the clitoris and the penis are among the weirdest body piercings for the adventurous (and really brave!).

Examples of culturally significant piercings include:

Stretched earlobes - Common in parts of Africa and South Asia, and now a global trend

Lip piercings - Signify beauty and status in African tribes

Nose piercings - Linked to Hindu traditions

Then there’s the coin slot piercing. And it’s right up there as an extreme piercing big hitter. It involves removing a small section of cartilage to create a slot for stacking multiple rings. Wearing stacked rings in multiple piercings creates a similar-ish look. But the permanent coin slot piercing comes with a distinct aesthetic only an extreme piercing brings to the eye-popping party.

Surprisingly, it heals faster and with less pain than traditional piercings due to the precise ‘cut and stitch’ method used. But that doesn’t mean it’s for lightweights!

And speaking of ears, let’s not forget stretching. It’s traversed the centuries while being perceived as one of the weirdest body piercings. But stretched lobes are making a major style statement today.

Thankfully, modern tools make these body mods safer, ably assisted by professional aftercare like the LobeLove™ Aftercare Trio to keep your lobes happy and healthy. As for modern plug designs, they range from sleek wood pieces to eye-popping semi-precious gemstones.

Scarification takes body art to a whole new level, intentionally scarring the skin to create intricate designs. It first became popular in African tribes as a rite of passage. But scarification has since found a niche in 21st century body mod communities.

Originally, indigenous cultures often marked life events or tribal affiliations by wearing their scars with pride. Darker skin tones also made scarification a more visible choice than tattoos.

Now, scarification is both an aesthetic choice and a form of self-expression. It’s daring, edgy, and deeply personal. Some artists even combine scarification with tattooing for truly unique designs, blending raised scars with coloured ink.

Unfamiliar with 3D body mods? Think silicone horns or intricate shapes under the skin, looking like they belong in a sci-fi movie (if you’re a Trekkie, you’ll know exactly what we’re talking about).

There are two types of implants:

Subdermal implants - Fully buried under the skin to create raised shapes

Transdermal implants - Partially exposed, allowing for jewellery attachments

But proceed with caution. These extreme body modifications are truly invasive. Risks include infection, rejection, and permanent scarring. So always choose a professional with a proven track record.

On the other hand, the design possibilities are endless, from geometric patterns to glowing subdermal LEDs. Some enthusiasts are even known to use implants for interactive art, where magnets under the skin attract metallic objects.

Want to wow (or horrify) your family and friends (and let’s not even go there with your work colleagues)? Tongue splitting gives you a snakelike, forked look. It’s undeniably a conversation starter. And it’s also one of the riskiest body mods.

Why fork off and do it? Well, some people love the aesthetic, while others swear tongue splitting enhances their oral tricks in the bedroom. Either way, it’s a bold move. But nerve damage, excessive bleeding, scarring, loss of sensation and infections are very real risks.

As you can imagine, regular cleaning and follow-ups with an experienced professional are a must. Tongue exercises during healing are also key to maintaining mobility and minimising scar tissue. But many lizard-tongued devotees say tongue splitting’s worth the effort for its spectacular self-expression.

You might be most familiar with branding in western movies, when cowboys brand their cattle as a mark of herdship. Similarly, the most popular method for humans – strike branding - involves burning the skin to create scars in specific patterns.

It was historically used to mark slaves or criminals. Or, it signified status or rites of passage in some cultures. In later years, these body mods have become an extreme form of self-expression in today’s subcultures, where you’re likely to discover two main branding methods at play:

Strike branding - Uses heated metal pieces to burn the skin

Cautery Branding - Involves surgical grade equipment for precise designs

Modern practitioners sometimes take it to the next level by combining branding with scarification to create layered, textured art pieces. It’s a niche choice and a major commitment – extreme body modifications that definitely aren’t for everybody. But it’s a courageous, singular form of permanent self-expression if it’s your thing.

Talk about a killer smile! Dental mods really make you stand out. Historically, Vikings etched lines into their teeth, while some African tribes filed them into sharp points. Today? All sorts of weird and wonderful dental modifications are making a comeback.

Curious about where these toothsome body mods came from? Like most other extreme body modifications, tooth mods are rooted in symbolism, like in:

Vietnam

Blackened teeth symbolised elegance

Sweden

Engraved furrows on the frontal surface of the teeth to identify occupational groups, with deeper multiple furrows signifying a warrior's achievements

Today’s trends involve anything from grills or dazzling tooth jewels, as seen making waves among celebrity influencers like Madonna, Pharrell Williams, Drake, Post Malone, and Dua Lipa.

Thanks to the endorsement of a rich and famous bling ring, dental modifications have become a customisable art form, with high-end designs in precious metals, diamonds, and gemstones.

We’ve talked a lot throughout this article about how body mods are deeply rooted in culture, besides the aesthetic impression they make. There’s stretched ears and lip plates in Africa, symbolising beauty and status. Tattoos reflecting social standing in Japan. And closer to home, let’s not forget corseting in Victorian England, an extreme body mod of its time.

More recently, modern interpretations have shifted these traditions into personal statements. Now, you might turn to extreme body modifications to reclaim your body or challenge societal norms.

Whatever your reasons, body mods remain as meaningful as ever. In fact, contemporary body modification even intersects with activism, as people use their altered bodies to challenge beauty standards and redefine norms.

You’d have to be a complete noob not to realise body mods aren’t all fun and games. So, safety should always come first for all types of extreme body modifications, from the Prince Albert to tongue splitting.

Always, always choose qualified experts who ensure sterile conditions. And follow aftercare religiously.

Truthfully, the importance of doing your homework can’t be overstated, because most extreme modifications aren’t overseen by governing bodies. Nor are there any professional accreditations.

And there’s the ethical side. Some mods like corseting or extreme implants spark debates about body autonomy versus societal responsibility. Conversations about the ethical implications of body mods, particularly when irreversible changes are involved, are becoming more common. (That’s right. You can't study for a tongue splitting diploma – yet.)

The key? Respect for individual freedom of choice, while prioritising informed consent and safety.

At the end of the day, body mods are ongoing testament to the human desire for self-expression and individuality. They’re bold, beautiful, and sometimes bizarre, but always meaningful.

So, are you ready to take the plunge into the world of tattoos, piercings, scars, brands, or implants – or whatever form of self-expression speaks to you? While we might not be able to help with all of those, at Stretch It Body Jewellery, we’ve got everything you need for safe and stylish ear stretching!

Check out the website for everything you need to know about processes, aftercare, and products. You’ll discover many resources and future fit products to honour both your skin and your story.