Body piercing: psychosocial and dermatologic aspects

Piercing, a self-provoked body modification, is the insertion of one or more objects through one or more perforating wounds on the skin or mucosa in exposed and covered areas. It is currently more and more frequent, especially in adolescents and young adults, most commonly on the ears and lips. Risks, more common in self-piercers, include infections, allergic sensitization, and traumatic lesions. Calm conversation between the individual and a physician, particularly a dermatologist with experience in medical psychology, can clarify the risks and lead to better understanding of the motivations for such behavior.