Body modification

Body modification is the permanent or semi-permanent altering of the human body for aesthetic reasons. It can range from the socially acceptable (e.g. pierced ears on women in North American society) to the rebellious.

In its broadest definition, some type of body modification is practised by nearly every human society, from Maori tattooes to Victorian corsets to modern breast implants.

Some types of body modification:

• tattooes
• piercing
• scarrification
• corsetry
• cosmetic surgery
• breast implants
• foot binding
• liposuction
• circumcision
• amputation

See Modern Primitives