Introduction/background/objectives:

Among the Body Modification/Manipulation techniques, Tattoo is the best accepted by society, followed by Body Piercing; however, there are many other techniques that are less frequent and considered more radical, but which have been progressively increasing in prevalence over the past few decades, with a reasonable number of individuals providing them, being paid for it, even without the formal status of “profession”. However, in most procedures there are considerable risk factors for the “Body Modifier”. The purpose of this review was to summarize what most pertinent was writing about the topic.

Methodology:

It is a Bibliographic Review, initiated through a research carried out in February 2021, basis on RCAAP.

Contents:

In addition to tattooing and piercing, intra and subdermal implants, modeling of some body dimensions by constriction (belts, bands) and/or expansion of other areas (like lips or ear lobes), scarification, burn (branding), tongue bifurcation, body suspension, bodyplay and ear pointing are other examples.

Discussion and Conclusions:

For most of these techniques, due to the reaction they get from the majority of society and the need for technical knowledge and conditions in the existing infrastructure, found sometimes only in some health professionals/institutions, it is understood why part of the acts are not now considered legal and, at this time, the occupation is not given the status of profession, which implies more difficulties in the development of safe procedures/recommendations and adequate training for those who perform them. However, “Body Modifiers” are paid for their activities, a relevant criterion from the perspective of the labor code to define an employment relationship.

The persons that have body modifications have been progressively increasing and also the number of individuals who dedicate themselves to it. Most of these procedures are associated with relevant “occupational” risk and it would be pertinent to analyze each of the modalities inserted here, elaborating Good Practice recommendations regarding which procedures could be offered to the client and which could be prohibited, what are the minimum conditions of asepsis and equipment in the establishment, which are the best techniques to use and what qualifications are necessary to exercise. It would be pertinent to create associations that could evolve the sector, preferably with inspection and correction capacity. In addition, it would also be interesting to understand the national panorama (that is, the number of clients, the modifications made, the number of individuals dedicated to the sector, the type of establishment and area of ​​the country, professional exclusivity or not, qualifications, years of experience, perception of occupational risk, accidents and possible occupational diseases).

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