A subdermal implant is a body modification placed under the skin, allowing the body to heal over the implant and creating a raised design. Such implants fall under the broad category of body modification. Many subdermal implants are made out of silicone, either carved or mold injected. Many people who have subdermal implants use them in conjunction with other types of body modification to create a desired, dramatic effect. [1] This process is also known as a 3-D implant, or pocketing. [2]
The first subdermal implant was implanted in 1994. It is generally agreed upon that they were pioneered by Steve Haworth. In his shop, HTC Body Piercing, in Phoenix, Arizona, he first began these procedures after being asked for a bracelet. He concluded that he could put a row of beads under the woman's wrist to create the effect she desired. [1] This was followed in 1998 by the scientist Kevin Warwick who experimented with both an RFID and an electrode array implant. [3] Since then, many different artists have done many kinds of implants. Some of the well-known names in the industry include Samppa Von Cyborg, Max Yampolskiy, Brian Decker, Emilio Gonzales and Stelarc, who had a cell-cultivated ear implanted on his arm. [4]
According to the Church of Body Modification, there are two main types of subdermal implants: subdermal (or subcutaneous) implants and transdermal implants. [5] Magnetic subdermal implants also exist. [6]
"Subdermal implants," as defined by the Church of Body Modification, are completely buried in the dermis. These are used for both cosmetic and medical purposes, such as the contraceptive Norplant, consisting of six levonorgestrel-releasing Silastic capsules, and is placed under the skin of the upper arm, generally a woman’s arm. [7] The cosmetic variant can be molded into any shape desired; though usually made of silicone. However, Teflon variants exist as well. [1]
Transdermal implants are placed partially under the skin, with the rest exposed. This is done through a process known as "dermal punching". First the implant is placed in between the layers of skin. It is necessary for the part of the implant that will be located under the skin to have a proper shape. This must be one with holes in it (like a figure eight) so that the body will be able to grow around it. Once the implant is placed, the part that will protrude out is exposed using a dermal punch. [5]
To have one of these implants installed, an incision is made down to the subcutaneous layer (subcutis) of the skin. A dermal elevator, a widely used medical instrument, separates the subcutis and the fascia, creating the pocket in which the implant will be inserted. After the implant is placed, the incision is stitched shut. Surgical tape is often applied to minimize movement while the skin fuses around the implant. [1]
Contraceptive implants in the UK and Australia are "injected" under the skin using a special device similar to a large syringe or ear-piercing gun, and extracted by making a tiny incision through which the implant is pulled out. A local anesthetic is usually available for the extraction but is not required, as the cut is very small.
For electronic implants see microchip implant.
Cosmetic Implants range from small subdermal silicone implants to form desired shapes and forms, ranging to LED light implants that emit light from under the skin. [8]
Subdermal implants placed under the skin of the penis can provide physical stimulation for both sexual partners. The most frequent form is genital beading, using small, round implants. Short, curved rods are also used, and are called "genital ribs". [9] [ better source needed ]
Klara Jirkova, a student at the Berlin University of the Arts, raised the possibility of using subdermal implants to create "Braille tattoos" readable by the blind. She proposes that small implants could be grouped to form braille characters, which she says "can be read by touch – stroke by blind people. [10] She suggests that, if located near the thumb where they could be read during a handshake, "Braille tattoos" could help the blind recognize whom they are greeting. She states that this will be a more meaningful form of body modification as it relates to the sense of touch instead of sight. [10]
Despite the media attention Jirkova's proposal received, this application of subdermal implants is, at best, impractical. A "braille tattoo" as a form of identification between the blind would be extraneous, as the blind can easily identify others by speaking to them. Such a procedure would have a low success rate, as the implants would most likely shift during healing. [11] [ better source needed ] The smooth, round implants Jirkova suggests are especially prone to shifting and it is likely that a "Braille tattoo" would migrate to the point of being unreadable. The commonly seen "Braille tattoo" image is a photo manipulation from Jirkova's report, not a successfully completed modification.
Although individual ball implants would present too many problems due to migration, flat premade square silicone "character" sheets with pre-positioned dots would solve the readability problems. These individual square sheets could be preformed and implanted with the desired effect.[ original research? ]
Subdermal implants are treated like many other body modifications in their aftercare. According to the Church of Body Modification, "The most important part of aftercare is keeping your sutures clean and dry." [5] They also suggest using paper products rather than cloth to clean and cover the area, as cloth products can hold many bacteria, and that the sutures be cleaned with solutions designed for sterilizing piercings. After 10–12 days, the stitches can be removed. It can take up to 3 months for the desired effect to be reached. As part of the Church's philosophy, they encourage all to "Use common sense; know your body and listen to what it needs! Take care of yourself and your modifications." [5] This can include seeing a doctor at the first sign of infection or for help removing sutures.
Subdermal implants, being similar to plastic surgery, have more risks than other kinds of body modification. Any time that the human body is opened, it must be performed in a sterile environment, in order to prevent infection. This has become a major source of controversy regarding subdermal implants.
Many health professionals are concerned for the individuals undergoing these procedures: the majority of these procedures are being performed by individuals with little to no formal medical training, and often do not take place in sterile environments.
The body modification industry is trying to make changes to the risky behaviors that are sometimes taken by unqualified people who are performing such implants. For example, David A. Vidra founded Health Educators, a company set up as "education for the modification industry". [12] It is set up to offer qualified instructors that teach sterilization and other techniques for safe procedures.
Many medical doctors are still concerned, however. Dr. Phil Haeck states, "This is a deviation in surgery that has no place for someone that has taken the Hippocratic Oath and wants to serve mankind." [1]
{{cite encyclopedia}}: |author= has generic name (help){{cite encyclopedia}}: |author= has generic name (help)
The Prince Albert (PA) is one of the most common male genital piercings. The PA is "a ring-style piercing that extends along the underside of the glans from the urethral opening to where the glans meets the shaft of the penis." The related "reverse Prince Albert piercing" enters through the urethra and exits through a hole pierced in the top of the glans.
Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty involving the restoration, reconstruction or alteration of the human body. It can be divided into two main categories: reconstructive surgery and cosmetic surgery. Reconstructive surgery includes craniofacial surgery, hand surgery, microsurgery, and the treatment of burns. While reconstructive surgery aims to reconstruct a part of the body or improve its functioning, cosmetic surgery aims at improving the appearance of it.
Body modification is the deliberate altering of the human anatomy or human physical appearance. In its broadest definition it includes skin tattooing, socially acceptable decoration, and religious rites of passage, as well as the modern primitive movement.
A navel piercing is a type of piercing located through the skin of the navel. It is most commonly located on the upper fold of skin, but can also be effected underneath or around the edges of the navel. It may heal quickly and with no irritations, like an ear piercing, or may heal more like a surface piercing with the associated extended healing time. Healing usually takes around 6–12 months, but varies by person due to differences in physiology. Navel piercings reject less frequently than most other surface piercings, but the rejection rate is nonetheless higher than non-surface piercings. A properly effected navel piercing involves piercing the skin surrounding the navel with the initial wound inside of the navel canal. This can be done at any angle where there is a clear flap of skin, but the most prevalent form of navel piercing is through the upper rim of the navel.
Genital piercing is a form of body piercing that involves piercing a part of the genitalia, thus creating a suitable place for wearing different types of jewellery. Nevertheless, the term may also be used pars pro toto to indicate all body piercings in the area of anus, perineum, genitals and mons pubis, including piercings such as anal, guiche, and pubic that do not involve perforation of genitalia. Genital piercings can be done of sex, with various forms of piercings available. The main motive is beautification and individualization; in addition, some piercings enhance sexual pleasure by increasing stimulation. Pre-modern genital piercings is most culturally widespread in Southeast Asia, where it has been part of traditional practice since ancient times. Records of genital piercing are found in the Kama Sutra.
Pearling or genital beading is a form of body modification, the practice of permanently inserting small beads made of various materials beneath the skin of the genitals—of the labia, or of the shaft or foreskin of the penis. As well as being an aesthetic practice, this is usually intended to enhance the sexual pleasure of partners during vaginal or anal intercourse.
Transdermal implants, or dermal piercings, are a form of body modification used both in a medical and aesthetic context. In either case, they consist of an object placed partially below and partially above the skin, thus transdermal. The skin around it generally heals as if it were a piercing.
A transscrotal piercing is a body piercing that travels through the scrotum from front to back, or from side to side. It is a high risk procedure.
In surgery, a sling is an implant that is intended to provide additional support to a particular tissue. It usually consists of a synthetic mesh material in the shape of a narrow ribbon but sometimes a biomaterial or the patients own tissue. The ends are usually attached to a fixed body part such as the skeleton.
Scalpelling is a body art procedure similar to body piercing for the creation of decorative perforations through the skin and other body tissue, and is most commonly used as a replacement for or enhancement of ear piercing. Whereas piercing is typically performed with a hollow piercing needle or an ear piercing instrument, scalpelling is performed by using a scalpel to cut a slit into the skin. Unlike dermal punching, no flesh is removed. The technique can immediately produce holes with a larger diameter than can be achieved by piercing. This is a more rapid means of accommodating larger gauge jewellery than stretching, a technique whereby piercings are enlarged by inserting gradually larger jewellery. Scalpelling is performed to quickly achieve a large-gauge piercing, when scar tissue is preventing further stretching, if tissue has thinned to the point where further stretching could cause it to break, or to combine two closely placed piercings into one hole.
Stretching, in the context of body piercing, is the deliberate expansion of a healed piercing for the purpose of wearing certain types of jewelry. Ear piercings are the most commonly stretched piercings, with nasal septum piercings, tongue piercings and lip piercings/lip plates following close behind. While all piercings can be stretched to some degree, cartilage piercings are usually more difficult to stretch and more likely to form hypertrophic scars if stretched quickly. Dermal punching is generally the preferred method for accommodating larger jewelry in cartilage piercings.
A guiche piercing is a body piercing through the perineum. Guiche piercings are much more common in men than in women. Although a guiche normally runs perpendicular to the direction of the penis, lateral placements are possible. A series of guiche piercings in parallel to the direction of the penis is called a guiche ladder, and might commonly be seen as an extension of a frenum ladder.
Etonogestrel is a medication which is used as a means of birth control for women. It is available as an implant placed under the skin of the upper arm under the brand names Nexplanon and Implanon, and in combination with ethinylestradiol, an estrogen, as a vaginal ring under the brand names NuvaRing and Circlet. Etonogestrel is effective as a means of birth control and lasts at least three or four years with some data showing effectiveness for five years. Following removal, fertility quickly returns.
A hip piercing is a piercing in the pelvic area through the skin near the hip bone. Hip piercings are often done in couplets with one on each hip, but it is not unusual to see only one. Hips piercing are a type of surface piercing. Microdermals or skin divers can be implanted in the hip area to give a similar appearance.
In body modification, an implant is a device that is placed under the human skin for decorative purposes. Such implants may be subdermal or transdermal. In the context of body modification, some may consider injections of silicone and other substances a type of implant as well.
Magnetic implant is an experimental procedure in which small, powerful magnets are inserted beneath the skin, often in the tips of fingers. They exist in tubes and discs. This procedure is popular among biohackers and grinders, but remains experimental. Magnetic implants are often performed by amateurs at home, using readily available surgical tools and magnets found online. However, some professional body modification shops do perform implant surgeries. Magnetic implants can also be used as an interface for portable devices to create other new "senses", for example converting other sensory inputs such as ultrasonic or infra-red into a touch sensation. In this way the individual could 'feel' e.g. the distance to objects.
Body piercing, which is a form of body modification, is the practice of puncturing or cutting a part of the human body, creating an opening in which jewelry may be worn, or where an implant could be inserted. The word piercing can refer to the act or practice of body piercing, or to an opening in the body created by this act or practice. It can also, by metonymy, refer to the resulting decoration, or to the decorative jewelry used. Piercing implants alter body and/or skin profile and appearance. Although the history of body piercing is obscured by popular misinformation and by a lack of scholarly reference, ample evidence exists to document that it has been practiced in various forms by multiple sexes since ancient times throughout the world. Body piercing can be performed on people of all ages, although most minors are only permitted to have earlobe piercings.
Steve Haworth is a body modification artist based in Phoenix, Arizona. He is responsible for the invention and popularization of subdermal and transdermal implants, such as the "Metal Mohawk". He designed specialized medical instruments called dermal elevators for this process. He has also done pioneering work with surface bars, ear shaping, tongue splitting, magnetic implants, and artistic branding. He has worked on individuals noted for their extensive modifications such as The Enigma, Katzen, Stalking Cat, The Lizardman, and biohacker Tim Cannon. He is listed in the Guinness World Records as "Most Advanced Body Modification Artist", 1999 to present.
The Association of Professional Piercers is the oldest and longest running organization for professional piercing.
