Body Modification: Fad, Trend, or Here To Stay?

Body modifications are far and varied. You have tattoos, piercings, scarification, and branding, but you also have tanning, hair dye, and plastic surgery. As a whole these modifications are very different and unique. One belly button piercing is not going to be exactly, pin- point on, to another. These modifications make people feel different and unique. Are they here to stay?

I think so. Think about it. Tattoos, piercings, brandings, scarifications have been practiced for years- all the way back to primitive tribes. Today, these methods and procedures are much more sterile and safe, and the techniques have improved. Overall, the ideas are still there.

We still use tribal influenced tattoos in today's society, so why would the practices disappear?

A fad, by definition is temporary fashion. Fads only last for short periods of time, and usually differ per groups of people. For example, not everyone ran out and bought Burkenstocks when they first made it big; although, now the slip- on shoes are still worn around town, their not a "must have" anymore.

A trend, by definition is more a long the lines of a general inclination towards something. Well, that may not be the best way to describe the word, but basically, it means to follow what is "hip." Trends, from my understanding, tend to be a little more long term than short term fads.

But, body modifications don't really fall into either of those categories. Yes, people will go out and get a tongue piercing or a tramp stamp because that's what all their friends are doing, but that's in that one clique. To be a fad, it would have to be popular in the entire prep, goth, jock, geek, or some other group of people, versus a clique of maybe 10.

I, personally, think that body modifications are here to stay, long term. It's not necessarily a style, but it's a part of fashion. People dye their hair as fashion- changing the tones with the weather and season. People tan during the cooler months when sun bathing isn't necessarily an option. We all do it to some degree. It seems to be a part of human nature.