Body-modifying concepts and dermatologic problems: tattooing and piercing

Recently, piercing and tattooing have gained increasing popularity worldwide, through all social classes and age groups. Besides pierced ear lobes, piercing of the tongue, nose, nipples, belly button, and even the genitals is quite common. The variety of tattoos range from temporary henna tattoos to permanent makeup and permanent tattoos, where the pigments are deposed in the dermis. These trends are supplemented by more invasive methods of body modification such as implanting, scarification, or branding. Parallel with the increasing popularity of piercing and tattoos, the knowledge about associated complications rose. Complications depend substantially on the circumstances in which body modifications are applied, the materials used, and the body region concerned. This article gives an overview of the most common complications of body modification methods, which mainly result from shortcomings in the application itself or in hygiene regimens. Consequences may be as severe as life-threatening events or permanent malfunction of different organs.