Extreme Body Modification

We believe in moderation in everything. There is a fine balance between enhancing your body and mutilating it. We prefer to err on the side of caution and safety. And we included extremely important safety tips at the end of this Editorial or rant, however you want to look at it.

Yes, there are people who tattoo their faces, get branded, have scarification, get saline injections in their genitalia and have extreme piercings (large or prominent) performed on their bodies. And we are talking about the mildest forms of extreme body modification.

The latest crazes, tongue slicing (think lizard or snake) and amputations (damage a perfectly good arm or leg so it has to be removed) made even me blink, and I have a huge "nothing fazes me" level of unshockability. But extreme body modfication is exactly that, extreme. You're supposed to be shocked.

Extreme body modification is performed for different reasons. I'm not a doctor. I can't even begin to cover all the issues involved in extreme body modification. Following are a few, simplified for easy reading, reasons.

Tattooing went mainstream, so scarification became the new taboo thing to do.

Vampirism is in, so people have dentists change their incisors to look like fangs.

Bondage isn't enough anymore, people need to hang themselves from hooks, embedded in their flesh. (Suspension, what a cozy little name for this.)

Each generation has their own "shock value" item. Ask your parents what they did that scared your grandparents. IF you can get an answer out of them, you will immediately go TMI. While your parents didn't invent orgy rooms, they were the pre-HIV generation who took full advantage of them.

A lot of extreme body modification is about sex and control. Tattoos on the face limit interaction with the public. It's used to indicate someone sexually submissive. That partner stayed at home or stayed hidden. Unless you're in the tattoo business, facial tattooing limits job opportunities and therefore limits independence.

Extreme body modification can also be used as a mask, hiding away the "inner person" and protecting them. Clue - take you inner moppet out and bitch slap it.Then repeat after me, "smiling at every idiot I meet is also a mask."

A much less expensive, less limiting mask.

Saline injections in the genitalia is part of the same sex and control game. And this is a tricky one, as it can be performed on both sides of the aisle.

If someone's genitals are large, or are "special," they've got you chasing after them, which puts them in control.

Everyone wants to be touched and to be loved. In our culture, everyone wants to rank high on the desirability scale. With saline injections, you get mega mixed signals. Yes, desire me. No don't touch. Or, touch only at my permission because it's that special.

Conversely, If your Dom wants you to modify your genitals, be prepared that you might lose them.

Larger Image in Bonus Gallery

Lack of imagination is a huge reason for body mods. I can think of at least 5 things to do to dominate someone, that have nothing to do with permanently modifying their bodies. And yes, they would know they'd totally given up control by the time I finished. (But hey, that's another book and another web site - which we are in the process of putting together.)

If you're a sub in the D/s scene and your Top wants you to get an extreme body modification, you need to drag your safety word out of hiding and think about it long and hard.

Part of your preliminary negotiations should have included body modifications, extreme or mild. You should cover tattoos, piercings, brandings, scarifications, holes for suspensions, weights for your balls, etc.

You need to think about where these body modifications will be placed and what body parts will be affected.

Also, unless your Top is in the piercing or tattooing business, all modifications should be performed by a professional.

Anything extreme or permanent, should be left for long term relationships. (Ten years and still going strong is a long term relationship, six months is not.)

Also, there are degrees in modifications. There's a difference between a two inch brand on your right butt cheek with their initials and a two inch brand on the cheek of your face.

Keep in mind that only 16% of all Americans are tattooed, most of them are under 25. While it seems that facial tattooing is about to go big, I'd wait and see if tribal tattoos on the face will become more than a movie fad. Remember that laser tattoo removal is a growing business for a reason.

While having visible tattoos has become more acceptable and having them will no longer immediately place you in a sub-culture, tattooing is still not universally acceptible. Don't believe me? Try working for a well-established banking or accounting firm, or try getting into the the military. Burger King and Starbucks also have a visible tattoo policy. It might not be enforced, but it's there if they want to use it.

Being identified as part of a "sub-culture" sucks. It's limiting. It's confining. It's other people's expectation of what and who you are.

However, for the young and immature, being part of a sub-culture rules. It says, "I belong somewhere. There is a place for me."

You need to make sure this is a place you want to be. Ask yourself ideally what you want out of life. Get really basic. Love, warmth, family, being touched, good job. If your body modification doesn't specifically tie in to something that is going to make you happy, then why do it?

I have an extreme body modification. Look at me! Look at Me! LOOK AT ME!

Okay, we're looking at you. You are different and unique. The same way that Michael Jackson's apparent multiple nose surgeries have made him unique. But if Michael Jackson wasn't a star, we'd be going ... "There's the poor bastard, who's nose is falling off. Wonder if he did too much cocaine? Or had a really bizarre accident? Eeewww!"

One of the most extreme body modifications that people perform on themselves that NO ONE TALKS ABOUT is weight gain or loss. And again, that's a whole different topic and book.

But, I want you to really look at the next morbidly obese person you see. What you feel when you look at them, is in a small way what people will feel when they look at your extreme body modifications.

If you get a chance, also take a look at a professional model. Not on TV, but in real life. TV can add 20 pounds to a person and pictures are digitally enhanced. Keep in mind that models ushered in the phrase "heroin chic." If you're a woman in your twenties and your body can no longer have periods because you are that thin, you have fucked up somewhere along the line. Getting a breast implant, so that you actually have tits, while keeping your body weight that low ... okay, what part of moderation in all things didn't you get?

End Rant, Begin Practical Advice

If you practice extreme body modification, visit a physician or medical practitioner regularly.

Try to avoid infections. At the slightest sign of an infection, get to a hospital. Infections can become life threatening in less than two days. Don't put off seeing a doctor.

Gradually increase your body modifications instead of getting them all at one time.

If a piercer says sure, they can give you the largest hole possible in one sitting, run. That's just irresponsible.

Putting that large of opening in your body or any kind of opening in your body can lead to shock. People die from shock. Your piercer is not a doctor and may not recognize the symptoms.

Try to find a shop that has someone on staff at all times that knows CPR.

Find out the long term effects on your body and health for any kind of extreme body modification. If saline injections in your genitals means you're at risk of an infection that could easily cause you to lose your balls, hey, I'd want to know. (And no, this isn't a wacky example, it has happened.)

Choose the shops that perform modifications with extreme care. And, know where the nearest medical emergency room is located.

There is a high risk of failure for some of the more "daring" implants. Monitor any foreign objects that are under you skin on a daily basis. Again, infections can prove deadly.

For the anyone who'd like a little split tounge and extreme tattooing action, check out the "Lizard Man" video - Extreme Body Modifcation - Video 1. He is a prime example of someone who's made a career out of extreme body modification.

For more information on Body Modification, I suggest the following site:

www.bmezine.com