Body Modification Research Articles

Evaluating changes in body composition, bone mass, and metabolic profile in an animal model undergoing transfeminine hormone therapy and physical exercise

Background & AimsGender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) is essential for transgender individuals seeking body modifications. For transfeminine people assigned male at birth, GAHT typically involves a combination of antiandrogens and estrogens. Despite its importance, the scientific literature presents inconsistencies regarding the effects of these hormones on nutritional status, body composition, and biochemical markers. This study aims to evaluate the impact of estradiol enanthate and dihydroxyprogesterone acetophenide (E2EN/DHPA) hormonal treatment, in conjunction with resistive physical exercise, on body composition and metabolic profiles. MethodsTwenty-eight male rats were divided into three groups: MO (control group, n=8), receiving sesame oil vehicle; MH (n=11), receiving E2EN/DHPA; and MEH (n=9), receiving E2EN/DHPA along with physical exercise. The hormonal treatment was administered every ten days for two months, while the exercise regimen involved stair climbing with progressively increasing weights, performed five times weekly for seven weeks. Evaluated parameters included body mass index (BMI), body composition (fat and lean mass), bone mineral density (BMD), and lipid profile (triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C). ResultsThe rats that received E2EN/DHPA showed significant changes in body composition and BMI, regardless of exercise. The MH group had increased body fat, while both the MH and MEH groups had decreased bone area and mineral content. However, BMD remained the same across all groups. Elevated triglyceride levels were observed, and the MEH group also had reduced LDL-C levels. HDL-C levels did not show significant variation. ConclusionThe study's findings show similarities to changes seen in transfeminine individuals undergoing GAHT with estrogen and antiandrogens. These changes include decreased muscle mass, increased body fat, preserved bone mineral density, and elevated triglycerides. The study also found that resistance exercise positively impacted lipid profiles, particularly in reducing LDL-C. These results highlight the need for further research and comparative trials on hormone therapy regimens.

From the Chattel to the Cattle: Human and Animal Laborers in Ancient Israel and Its Context

Abstract In many cultures through history, subjugated human and animal laborers have been treated alike. However, very little research has explored this connection in relation to ancient Israel and Judah or ancient West Asia more broadly. In this article, I analyze the interconnections between institutions of human and animal labor according to biblical and other West Asian evidence. Physically, slaves and livestock were subjected to the same body modifications (such as brandings and piercings) and the same physical beatings. Economically, both groups were central to transactions, being bought, sold, or forcibly taken, and laboring for their masters. Socially, both groups were drawn in to participate in societies and nations, and they were precariously situated in kinship groups. Psychologically, both may have been kept in place by their masters’ Social Dominance Orientation, and slaves may have been animalized to justify their treatment. In these ways, institutions of human and animal labor were entangled and mutually reinforcing, leading to the subjugation of both the chattel and the cattle.

Rethinking the Complexities of the Body and Disability: Theological Account

The biological aspect of human embodiment frequently constitutes the primary basis for personal assessment, with an emphasis on rationality, free choice, material well-being, and happiness as fundamental attributes of worth. This perspective is also evident in cultural practices of body modification, which reflect societal standards and identity expression. The promotion of standards of bodily appearance that are often considered unrealistic within contemporary culture has the effect of creating a social environment in which those who do not conform to these standards are rejected and stigmatized. This can include individuals with disabilities, the elderly, or those with chronic illnesses and different bodily appearances. In the majority of cases, the so-called ‘body capital’ culture views the disabled body through the lens of a person’s physical appearance, which is, to a certain extent, associated with a biological dysfunction or reflects a kind of physical disability or vulnerable corporeality. This paper seeks to examine perspectives on the body through the lenses of major discourses surrounding disability, biblical anthropology, and disability theology. These perspectives advocate for the intrinsic dignity and value of the disabled body, challenging contemporary norms and projections upon the body, by underscoring the biographical, interdependent, and spiritual dimensions of human embodiment. This approach stands as an alternative to the reductionist view of the body, which prioritizes physical attributes over a comprehensive understanding of complete personhood.

MAKEOVER FORMAT PROGRAMS ANALYSIS OF DISCOURSES ON BODY MODIFICATION

The body is an important means of communication and has been interpreted in various ways by different disciplines from past to present. With the various symbolic meanings attributed to the body, it has undergone changes throughout history and has affected culture and society in this process. Body modification refers to a change within the framework of the beauty ideal and has gained an importance that will affect large masses today, shaped by dynamics such as nature, tradition, beliefs, politics, power, ideology, industrialization, globalization, fashion, consumption, technology and medicine. Mass media, and especially television, influence the masses with the discourses they produce on body modification. Through the makeover format, which is one of the reality show program types, it directs especially women to the act of consumption and encourages modification in order to achieve ideal beauty.

Exploring the role of salon professionals in identifying sex trafficking and violence victims in Indiana

BackgroundSex trafficking victims often have touchpoints with salons for waxing, styling, and other body modification services required by traffickers. Recently, some states have administered laws requiring salon professionals to receive intimate partner violence (IPV)-related training, with even fewer states mandating training on identifying sex trafficking. This study aimed to understand how salon professionals have witnessed evidence of violence, including IPV and sex trafficking, in the workplace and to explore the differences in their approach to each type of victim.MethodsIn-depth interviews were conducted with salon professionals (N = 10) and law enforcement professionals/policymakers (N = 5). Content and thematic analysis techniques were used.ResultsSalon professionals typically identified potential violence through signs such as bruises, odd behavior, and client disclosures, prompting them to engage in cautious conversations. Yet, few were trained to identify and intervene. Often, they responded to suspected violence by talking with the client, sharing concerns with salon leadership, directly intervening on the client’s behalf, or contacting the police. Law enforcement and salon professionals had suggestions about improving salon professionals’ recognition of and response to violence, including training on victim-focused resources, creating a safe environment, and building relationships with law enforcement. They also suggested strengthening community partnerships to increase resource advocacy and reporting.ConclusionsOne-on-one salon services may provide a unique opportunity to intervene and identify victims of violence, especially when empowered through additional training and collaborative partnerships with community-oriented policing initiates. Implementing training and community-based initiatives could aid salon professionals in gaining greater confidence in knowing what to do when serving a client who is a victim of IPV or sex trafficking.

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE AMONG DIFFERENT DENTISTS REGARDING ORAL PIERCING DELETERIOUS EFFECT: A QUESTIONNAIRE BASED STUDY

Background: Oral piercings, including tongue, lip, and cheek piercings, are popular forms of body modification. These piercings, while culturally significant and a means of self-expression, pose various health risks that necessitate informed management by dental professionals. Objectives: This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to oral piercings among dental undergraduates, postgraduates, and practicing dentists. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 300 participants, comprising dental undergraduates, postgraduates, and practicing dentists. The questionnaire covered demographics, knowledge of oral piercings, attitudes towards these modifications, and clinical practices in managing complications. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, with descriptive statistics and comparative tests (Chi-square and ANOVA) applied to evaluate KAP differences among the groups. Results: Significant variations in knowledge levels were observed, with practicing dentists displaying the highest understanding of oral piercings and their complications. Postgraduates demonstrated a more comprehensive knowledge compared to undergraduates, who showed a basic understanding. Attitudes towards oral piercings varied, with undergraduates and postgraduates viewing them more favorably compared to the cautious stance of practicing dentists. Clinical practices also differed, with experienced dentists more proactive in patient education and management strategies. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for enhanced education on oral piercings across all levels of dental training. Integrating comprehensive curricula and continuous professional development programs can bridge knowledge gaps and improve clinical practices. Gender-wise analysis highlights that both male and female dental professionals show comparable levels of awareness and engagement regarding oral piercings, with responses indicating a shared commitment to patient education and proactive care practices in managing associated risks and complications KEYWORDS: Oral piercings, dental education, knowledge, attitudes, clinical practice, complications.

Aesthetic Considerations for Neuromodulator Use in Transgender Patients.

The aesthetic dimension of transgender experiences involves various aspects linked to the visual representation and expression of one's gender identity. Nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, such as neuromodulators, have consequently become a viable treatment option for patients with gender dysphoria because of the ability to yield significant, although temporary, results with minimal associated risks and downtime. To comprehensively review literature pertaining to the aesthetic considerations for use of neuromodulators in transgender and nonbinary individuals. A literature review of PubMed/MEDLINE for studies was published through January 2024 for nonsurgical facial and body modification using neuromodulators. Searches were conducted with relevant keywords. Peer-reviewed articles and their references published within the past 10 years were given emphasis in the review. Based on the limited publications to date, the authors prepared a comprehensive review on indications for neuromodulator treatment in this population, including brow positioning, lower face contouring, lip eversion, trapezius slimming, and leg contouring. Dermatologists play a crucial role in facilitating the achievement of gender affirmation goals.

Influence of Social Media Use on Body Image and Self-Esteem among Senior High Students in Davao City

This study aims to investigate the influence of social media on the body image and self-esteem among senior high school students in Davao City. Utilizing a quantitative research design, the study collected data from 100 senior high school students through structured questionnaires. Established measures were used to assess social media usage, perceived body image, and self-esteem, with strict adherence to ethical considerations and data confidentiality. The findings indicate high self-esteem across personal, social, and appearance-related domains. Additionally, social media use is high, highlighting its significant role in fulfilling academic, social, entertainment, and informational needs. Moreover, findings indicate a moderate perception of body image that while students feel positively about certain aspects of their bodies, such as satisfaction and appearance maintenance behaviors, they also face challenges or pressures in areas like response to criticism and body modification preferences. Significant links were found with Academic, Socialization, and Informativeness aspects, but not with Entertainment. Overall social media usage correlated with perceived body image. Moreover, Socialization and Informativeness significantly predicted both body image and self-esteem among students. These findings underscore the influence of positive social interactions and informative content on social media in shaping adolescents' perceptions of themselves. This study contributes to the broader understanding of addressing social media's impact in schools. It highlights the roles of administrators, teachers, and students in promoting media literacy, resilience, and positive mental health outcomes. Future research can build upon these findings to develop effective intervention strategies.

Paleolithic eyed needles and the evolution of dress.

Eyed needles are among the most iconic of Paleolithic artifacts, traditionally seen as rare indicators of prehistoric clothing, particularly tailoring. However, recent finds across Africa and Eurasia show that other technologies like bone awls also facilitated the creation of fitted garments. Nonetheless, the advent of delicate eyed needles suggests a demand for more refined, efficient sewing. This refinement may signify two major developments: the emergence of underwear in layered garment assemblages, and/or a transition in adornment from body modification to decorating clothes, as humans covered themselves more completely for thermal protection. Archaeological evidence for underwear is limited, but the Upper Paleolithic saw an increase in personal ornaments, some sewn onto clothing. Eyed needles may mark a pivotal shift as clothes acquired the social functions of dress, decoupling clothing from climate and ensuring its enduring presence.

Optimization and standardization of procedures in Forensic Identification: A methodology for description and coding of tattoos in Mexico

Tattoos serve as a valuable tool for identification. In the forensic context, it is vital to establish a systematic approach for documenting tattoo-related information to facilitate efficient and fast comparisons, especially in postmortem cases. Despite some countries failing to recognize the potential significance of tattoos, this study presents a methodological framework for gathering comprehensive data on this form of body modification. This article presents the results of an investigation made in Mexico during 2019–2022. The proposed methodology introduces a systematic and distinct classification system tailored to the country in which it will be implemented. The proposal is accompanied by applying the methodology in a Forensic Medical Service (SEMEFO) in Mexico for a week to test its effectiveness and speed under high workloads and stressful conditions. The novelty of this article lies in emphasizing the need for established, replicable, and homologous methodologies for tattoo codification. Additionally, it presents a more in-depth codification, where the details of the tattoos to be classified are thoroughly analyzed.

Formulation of tattoo paints from the assemblage of the Upper Paleolithic site of Ushki V (Kamchatka)

In recent times, the practice of body modification in sociocultural, psychological, and art studies contexts has gained a new impetus for research. This article presents the results of the analysis of pigments found on the sur-face of stone artifacts identified as tattooing tools from the assemblage of layer VII of the Upper Paleolithic site of Ushki V (13–12 ka calBP, Kamchatka Peninsula). The aim of this study is to reconstruct the formulation of paints discovered on the surface of stone tools from the collection of Ushki V, that could have been used for tattooing. The reconstruction was carried out by means of determining the composition and microstructure of the paints using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). The conclusions about the structure of colouring substances and the composition of paints are based on the element mapping method, which allows determination of the relationships of chemical elements and establishing the chemical com-position of individual components of the microstructure. Seven samples of red and yellow paint from the surface of six tools (carvers) have been thoroughly analysed. As a result, it has been found that three recipes were used for the manufacture of the pigments. The first (red paint) was based on mixing crushed mineral pigment (hema-tite) with organic binder of animal or vegetable origin. The second (yellow paint) implied the use of limonite, or-ganic binder and a thickener (aluminosilicate material or crushed bone). The third recipe (dark orange paint) in-cluded the compound of limonite and organic binder without thickener. The comparison of the formulations with previously obtained data on the analysis of paints from Ushki V allows for the conclusion that there were continu-ous technological traditions determined by the desired color and purpose of the paint. It has been established that the formulations have analogies both among the assemblages of other Stone Age sites of Eurasia and in ethno-graphic materials. Theoretical and practical significance of this research lies within extending of focused studies of the culture of peoples of the North and initiating of comparative research into similar Late Paleolithic and Neolithic complexes in the territories adjacent to Kamchatka and in the New World.

Isotopes and bioarchaeology in the Andes: Diet, life histories, and ritual

AbstractIn this article, we present an isotopic perspective of key research questions in Andean bioarchaeology, focusing on the ways in which stable and radiogenic isotope analyses have contributed to our understanding of the past. Andean archaeology offers a window into long‐term processes of economic, socioecological and political change since the mid‐Holocene, thus providing historical trajectories of socio‐ecological change relevant for global comparison. The spatial scale of this review includes the areas traditionally identified as the south‐central Andes and the southern Andes. These ecological scenarios are characterised by marked topographic, climatic and ecological variations that are fruitful for the application of isotopes to understand diet, mobility, migration and ritual in past human societies. Within the broader Andean context, here we focus on the growth of bioarchaeological applications of isotopic data. We discuss some major themes of economic production, mobility and exploitation of environmental diversity, maize agriculture, migrations in small‐ and large‐scale societies and ritual practices related to human sacrifices and body modifications. Building on this, we discuss theoretical and methodological trends and directions for future research combining bioarchaeology and isotopes in the Andes.

Technique description: Extraction of engulfed ear-piercing backing – The fast and atraumatic technique

BackgroundEar piercings are a common practice for body modification and self-expression, but they can lead to various complications, including embedded jewelry, infections, and difficulty removing earring backings. Traditional techniques for removing stuck backings involve forceful manipulation, resulting in pain, scarring, and suboptimal cosmetic outcomes. DiscussionIn this technique description, we present an alternative atraumatic technique for the removal of stuck ear-piercing backings. The technique involves injecting a mixture of local anesthetic and a vasoconstrictor, around the backing to create a fluid pocket that loosens the earring post. A special maneuver is then applied using a needle driver allowing for easy gentle removal. If the backing remains embedded, gentle pressure on the earlobe reveals a loop that can be threaded with a syringe needle to propel the backing out. ConclusionsThe proposed atraumatic technique for removing stuck ear-piercing backings offers a satisfactory and less stressful experience for pediatric patients while reducing the need for emergency department referrals. Given the lack of consensus on extraction methods, this technique provides a valuable alternative in the absence of a widely agreed-upon approach. Further research is needed to establish standardized protocols. Nevertheless, adopting this technique has the potential to enhance patient satisfaction and improve outcomes.

The Habit Does Make the Monk: Jesuit Dress in the Marianas Mission 1668–1700

Abstract This article explores some of the body modifications that occurred in the Mariana Islands during the initial decades of the Jesuit mission. It focuses on Jesuit vestments and the use of Indigenous CHamoru palm-weaving in a cultural background where the CHamoru dress code clashed with Jesuit mindsets. The article also analyzes the imposition of clothing on the CHamorus by the Jesuits and the imposition of nakedness on the Jesuits by the CHamorus as punitive measures within a colonial environment where the Jesuits sought to dismantle traditional lifeways while the CHamorus endeavored to preserve them.

The synergistic effect of body modification and surface coating for the moisture barrier of hydrophilic PU film

Polyurethane (PU) films have established a distinctive position among various protective materials due to their outstanding chemical and physical properties. However, their limited moisture barrier performance hinders their broader applications. To solve this difficult problem, PU film is first modified by adding reactive fillers (MgO) and physical barrier fillers (Modified graphene oxide, M-GO), and then Si-DLC coating is deposited on the surface of the film by hollow cathode plasma immersion ion implantation (HCPIII) method at near room temperature. MgO can react with the water molecules diffused into the film, while the addition of M-GO extends the diffusion path of water molecules. It is revealed that the addition of 5% MgO and 0.5% M-GO, along with the deposition of a 2.56 μm Si-doped DLC coating, leads to a remarkable 14.67-fold reduction in the water vapor transmittance rate (WVTR). The result of molecular dynamics simulations shows that the reactive sheet filler captures the water molecules and reduces the WVTR. In addition, the combination method of PU body modification and surface coating is suitable for polyurethane foam (PUF) to reduce the WVTR as a double coating. It's amazing that the WVTR of PUF significantly reduces by 15.29 times after double-coating. The combination of body modification and surface coating provides an effective route for significantly improving the moisture barrier property of hydrophilic polymer film and polymer foam.

Longitudinal study of the frequency of body modifications, attitudes towards them and knowledge about the complications of such procedures among pharmacy students

Abstract Body modifications consist in changing the appearance. They gain more and more popularity. The most popular forms of body modification are tattooing and piercing. The aim of the study is a longitudinal assessment of the prevalence of body modifications in the form of tattoos and piercings among students of pharmacy at the Medical University of Lublin and their knowledge about the possible complications of such interventions. The study was conducted using a validated questionnaire. The study with the participation of first-year pharmacy students was conducted in 2017, and with the participation of sixth-year pharmacy students in 2022. Participation in the study was voluntary and anonymous. The respondents approved the modification in the form of piercings in the ears to the greatest extent, and invasive body modifications to the least extent. The percentage of people having body modifications has not changed significantly over time, but their awareness of the possible complications of such procedures has increased. Piercings and tattoos, in the opinion of pharmacy students, are not stigmatizing. The knowledge of future pharmacists about the possible complications of piercing and tattooing increases with the duration of their studies.

Transgender Imagining and the Danger of Normative Theory

ABSTRACT This paper looks at the harms of superimposing normative theorizing on communities who live and love outside the psychoanalytic norm, particularly transgender individuals. Writing in 2019/2023, an especially perilous period for transgender people’s rights and safety in the United States, McGleughlin critiques a published paper by Alessandra Lemma to illustrate the analytic tendency to rely on normative theory that may harm patients. Lemma’s pieces focuses on a patient called “Jane.” The 18-year-old wishes to pursue body modification to change their gender, but the analyst believes Jane is not “truly” transgender, and she creates a narrative of Jane’s repair. While Lemma’s rhetoric suggests that she does not believe that transgender life is inherently pathological, McGleughlin exposes a beneath-the-surface treatment rife with normative assumptions. Uncritically bringing these assumptions to clinical work has the potential to distort or even erase the story of the other, the author argues, harkening back to treatments in which the clinician is said to have “helped” the gay or lesbian patient show sexual restraint.

Body alteration: On the mental function of body modification and body decoration

Decorating the body as well as (semi-)permanent bodily modifications are a longstanding human practice, together with spending a great amount of time and effort on such body alterations. The present article reviews the mental functions of body-altering behavior. The primary aim is to identify and elucidate the predominant mental function underpinning these body alterations. Following several guidelines for reviews, we synthesized the literature, including several categories of body-altering entities from different eras. We argue that there are two crucial commonalities for individuals engaging in body-altering behavior that comprise the mental functions for doing so: aesthetics and group affiliation (dynamics), including the latter’s subfunctions of supporting individuality, resistance, personal narrative, physical endurance, and sexual motivation. Incorporating the existing literature, we find that aesthetic motivation takes precedence over group affiliation, thereby establishing aesthetics as the primary mental function of body-altering behavior; factors substantiating this conclusion are explored in detail within the article.

Fashioning Frankenstein: Deathliness, technology and the body in contemporary fashion photography

The deathly aesthetic of Heroin Chic caused a moral panic in the late 1990s for its aestheticization of cadaverously pale and skeletally thin models. Subsequent photographers have experimented with the female body as a prop, staging high-fashion crime scenes and mimicking the passivity of corpses in prone posture. Fashion photography offers an arena to explore daily life and the national imagination by materializing concepts through a focus on corporeality and compelling stylized visuals. These images therefore represent a commercialized articulation of broader cultural concerns surrounding mortality. Steven Klein’s 2015 fashion editorial ‘Love machine’, published in W magazine, will be analysed to argue that this represents a cultural response to the shifting relationship between the human body and technology. The discourse of human–machine coexistence presents the transhumanist stance as idealized with the fashion field’s agenda of body modification, wellness and leisure assisted and instigated by technology. However, the tone of this shoot presents a less optimistic vision of a posthuman future. Whilst posthuman ideology is decisive and assured in its deference to technology, Klein’s use of Frankensteinian and cyborg motifs evidence the uncertainty and unease with which biological and technical forms begin to blur. The styling of the model as cyborg and the invocation of Frankenstein’s monster are a logical vehicle for personifying the ontological anxieties coming to the fore of public conscience as debates on digital immortality and artificial intelligence become more prevalent.

Koncepcje „nowej seksualności” we współczesnej fantastyce rosyjskiej ("Nie" Linor Goralik i Siergieja Kuzniecowa)

The article is devoted to the concept of „new sexuality” in Linor Goralik and Sergey Kuznetsov’s dystopian work No (Нет, 2003). Set in 2060, where the primary human activities revolve around fulfilling increasingly sophisticated sexual fantasies. This is achieved through two means: body modifications, often to resemble various animal species, and pornographic films, considered the highest form of art. These films convey not only traditional imagery but also sexual experiences scanned directly from the actors’ brains. In Goralik and Kuznetsov’s narrative, pornography serves as a metaphor for new cultural models, which strip away the remnants of human individuality and distinctiveness, thereby becoming a form of oppression. Furthermore, the new technologies associated with this trend do not contribute to human development but serve as tools for total mind control.