body modification
Deliberate physical change
Body modification is any deliberate alteration of the human body for aesthetic, cultural, or personal reasons.
Common forms include tattooing, piercing, and scarification; more extreme practices include tongue splitting, subdermal implants, and deliberate scarring.
The term encompasses both mainstream practices like ear piercing and subcultural alterations that push further: Her body modifications included full-sleeve tattoos and stretched earlobes.
Some modifications mark cultural identity or rites of passage; others express individual aesthetics or rebellion against conventional appearance.
Formal admission ceremony
- rite of passageTransition-marking ceremony
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- ancestralOf one's forebears
- traditionCustom passed through generations
sacred · indigenous · scarification · neck rings · foot binding · earlobe stretching · Maori · coming of age
Situated under skin
- siliconeFlexible synthetic polymer
- transdermalPassing through skin
- magneticAttracting iron or attention
- split tongueBifurcated oral appendage
Writing fluid
- sleeveGarment's arm portion
- blackworkEmbroidery using dark thread
- flashBrief burst of light
- needlePointed implement for sewing
artist · tribal · realism · watercolor · dotwork · linework · traditional · coverup
Conveying one's inner world
- individualityUnique personal character
- subcultureGroup with alternative norms
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
personalization · authenticity · nonconformity · reclamation · gender affirmation · uniqueness · reinvention · self-image
Surgery reshaping the nose
- liposuctionSurgical fat suctioning
- botoxToxin that smooths skin
- fillersBulk-adding substances
- faceliftCosmetic procedure reducing wrinkles
breast augmentation · blepharoplasty · otoplasty · veneers · dermabrasion · microdermabrasion · collagen · cosmetic dentistry
Internal anatomical partition
- tragusEar's inner projection
- helixSpiraling three-dimensional curve
- labretLower lip piercing jewelry
- conchSpiral-shelled marine gastropod
rook · industrial · cartilage · barbell · stud · gauge · earlobe · navel
Creating distinctive identity
- cuttingDividing via sharp edge
- keloidOvergrown scar tissue
- cicatrizationScar tissue formation
- raised scarElevated healed wound tissue
initiation
Formal admission ceremony
- rite of passageTransition-marking ceremony
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- ancestralOf one's forebears
tradition · sacred · indigenous · scarification · neck rings · foot binding · earlobe stretching · Maori · coming of age · spiritual
subdermal
Situated under skin
- siliconeFlexible synthetic polymer
- transdermalPassing through skin
- magneticAttracting iron or attention
ink
Writing fluid
needle · artist · tribal · realism · watercolor · dotwork · linework · traditional · coverup · aftercare
self-expression
Conveying one's inner world
- individualityUnique personal character
- subcultureGroup with alternative norms
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
autonomy · personalization · authenticity · nonconformity · reclamation · gender affirmation · uniqueness · reinvention · self-image · counterculture
rhinoplasty
Surgery reshaping the nose
- liposuctionSurgical fat suctioning
- botoxToxin that smooths skin
- fillersBulk-adding substances
facelift · breast augmentation · blepharoplasty · otoplasty · veneers · dermabrasion · microdermabrasion · collagen · cosmetic dentistry · chin implant
septum
Internal anatomical partition
conch · rook · industrial · cartilage · barbell · stud · gauge · earlobe · navel · eyebrow
branding
Creating distinctive identity
- cuttingDividing via sharp edge
- keloidOvergrown scar tissue
- cicatrizationScar tissue formation
- identityidentity, personal identity, self, selfhood, self-expression
- body customsgrooming, tattooing, piercing, scarification, hair styling
- anthropologyanthropology, fieldwork, ethnography, social anthropology, cultural anthropology
- body culturebeauty standards, physical appearance, bodily autonomy, self-image, fitness culture
- body modificationtattoo, tattoos, piercing, tattooing, piercings
- Body Rightsbodily autonomy, medical consent, self-ownership, reproductive rights, medical autonomy
body modificationnatural state
Unmodified original existence
bodily integrity · au naturel · original form · going natural · healing
body modificationcostume jewelry
Non-precious decorative adornments
temporary tattoos · wigs · makeup · fashion
body modificationbody acceptance
Comfort with one's physique
self-acceptance · body positivity · body neutrality · naturalism · body liberation
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