Body modification: Fashion statement may be dangerous health risk

TAMPA - If you saw Lady GaGa's recent appearance on the Grammys, you may have been asking yourself what's with the horns and the pointy shoulders?

While those body modifications were just part of a costume, a local dermatologist fears some teens are taking the body modification trend too far. And, he says, that could be dangerous.

Sixteen-year-old Sashaly Arencibia is talking to Doctor Seth Foreman about a hot teenage trend. "I'm nervous whenever I get there, but I like pain."

Doctor Foreman says that might be a good thing because not only can it be painful to have your body modified, it's risky.  "Body modification is the use of any type of instrument or ornament you can place on your body and often time it's done "surgically." I had a number of patients who have had body modification at unregulated facilities by unregulated practitioners and these patients have had infections."

One of his patients had a screw implanted into her cheek. "Where the end of the screw was actually exposed through the skin so she could change the ornament she placed over her skin. It got infected and we had to surgically remove it, and treat her for the infection.  It left a scar on her face."

Some risks of body modification obviously include scarring, but also nerve damage and/or muscle damage.  You could get MRSA or an abscess on your face.

Cruise around YouTube and you will see just how far people are taking body modification right now.

Doctor Foreman points to Lady GaGa's recent performance at the Grammys and worries her body modification, although probably temporary, might influence young people.  "I believe the album she is preparing to release is about being comfortable with who you are and I feel by getting modification is an indication of not being happy with who you are."

But Sashaly disagrees - she calls this fashion and only took out her other piercings and modifications so she could work as a waitress.