Body piercing: medical consequences and psychological motivations

Body piercing is increasing in popularity around the world. In this review, I describe the history, origins, and peculiarities of various forms of body piercing, and procedures involved, variations in healing time, legal aspects and regulations, and complications and side-effects. I have also includ...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Lancet (British edition) 2003-04, Vol.361 (9364), p.1205-1215
Main Author: Stirn, Aglaja
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anthropology, Cultural
Biological and medical sciences
Body piercing
Cosmetic Techniques - adverse effects
Cosmetic Techniques - history
Cosmetic Techniques - statistics & numerical data
Dermatology
Disease transmission
Ear
Female
Foreign Bodies - complications
Foreign Bodies - epidemiology
Foreign Bodies - psychology
History, 19th Century
History, 20th Century
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Motivation
Nose
Personality
Punctures - adverse effects
Punctures - history
Punctures - psychology
Sexually transmitted diseases
Skin involvement in other diseases. Miscellaneous. General aspects
Socioeconomics
STD
Stereotypes
Tattoos
Traditions
Wound Infection - etiology
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Summary:Body piercing is increasing in popularity around the world. In this review, I describe the history, origins, and peculiarities of various forms of body piercing, and procedures involved, variations in healing time, legal aspects and regulations, and complications and side-effects. I have also included a discussion of the motivation for and psychological background behind body piercing. In presenting research results, I aim to raise awareness of the many risks associated with body piercing. In presenting psychological data, I intend to create an understanding of the multifaceted and often intense motivations associated with body piercing, and, thus, to diminish any prejudices held by health professionals against people with piercings.
ISSN:0140-6736
1474-547X
DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(03)12955-8