Low tech body mods

The first thing most probably think of when hearing the term body modification is piercings and though it may be obscure for some they actually date right back over 5,000 years ago! Yes, that's right. Mummified remains were discovered with earrings and then pharaohs were said to have belly piercings! Even more "extreme" piercings like the nipples go back to the roman days. 

 

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/182184747401151019/

(Below right) http://thewildestkingdom.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/africa-tribal-piercings-httpfarm1.html

It's well known that different tribes in Africa had piercings like lip plates and "plugs" in the side of the nose but in the western civilization piercings were forgotten until the 1960's where it would resurface again. Ear piercings were extremely popular within the gay community across England and America and then through the punk rock community in 1970. They would use body piercing as a sign of difference. In the UK people believed that piercings were a form of consensual sadomasochism and tried to outlaw it but failed. By the 90's piercings had took off, even celebrities were endorsing them.  

(Left - 1970's/80's punk)
http://www.marieclaire.com/hair-beauty/history-of-piercings

Piercings today are extremely popular and common in most people, but why? For some it's for cultural purposes but for most it's a fashion statement. 

However, it's no longer just piercings and simple tattoos. The body modification world has gone to extremes and we are now seeing scarification, implants and even branding. 

A lot of judgement comes with these types of body modification, I feel it's mostly the older generation who didn't see much more than an ear piercing when they were younger that don't understand it and stereotype the people that do as weird or scary human beings. 

For me I think it's simply a fashion statement and for some a way of expressing themselves. People should be entitled to do whatever they please with their own body, do I think some are too extreme? 100% but who am I to judge? I have piercings and tattoos myself which some people may find too much but that's their opinion which they are also entitled to!

Left - Scarification
http://weheartit.com/from/www.totalmania.net

 We were asked if we think scarification is different to tattooing and my answer is yes. At first I saw it as a scar on your body either way but you can get tattoos lazered off whereas scarification is something that you can't undo and must be incredibly painful! 

Tattoo - Right

http://www.fulltattoo.com/cherry-blossom-tattoo-designs-women.html/simple-cherry-blossom-tattoo-designs 

Tattoo's will continue in the future, eventually it will be uncommon to find someone without and I also hope that people in everyday life begin to be more accepting of people with these weird and wonderful modifications.