Tongue splitting (cutting or burning the tongue to give it a snake-like appearance), transdermal and subdermal implants (objects placed below or through the skin) and ear pointing (cutting a triangle of skin and cartilage out of the ear to creating an elf-like effect) are all body modification procedures that may not fall under existing statutes. However, there may be some procedures that fall into a legal gray area.

Whether it's a tattoo parlor or a cosmetic surgery clinic, there are statutory codes regulated who can perform such procedures and where. As with many legal questions, then, the issue of whether extreme body modification is legal will depend on a variety of factors.Īnyone performing a body modification procedure will likely need to be certified and have a permit under state laws or municipal codes. And what is considered extreme to some, may seem ordinary and commonplace to others. The term 'body modification' can encompass everything from tattoos and piercing to plastic surgery and genital mutilation.

Body mods gone wrong