The reasons people all around the world have body modifications are varied. As are the reactions they produce. Social researchers talk about a great variety of body modifications. Just to name a few we can begin with tattoos and piercings, continue with scarification and branding and reach the somewhat extreme stage of sub-dermal implants and suspensions.

Without question the most common forms of body altering in the US are tattoos and piercings. It’s almost impossible to ignore a tattooed body and why would you? You definitely have an opinion about the tattoos on display, especially if they are on an extensive surface of skin. Piercings are also captivating, but the more interesting ones are hidden under the clothes.

Sexual arousal resides in the brain

We learn from researchers that sexual arousal usually begins in the brain. The brain responds to a sexy thought or image, or having a feeling of closeness or affection toward a partner, or the touch of a partner by sending signals to the rest of your body, especially the genital area. Via Sexualityandu.  So, an image of a tattooed or pierced person could be sexually appealing for some. All good until the psychiatrists (who else?) came up with the word “stigmatophilia”, used to describe a sexual dysfunction in which an individual derives sexual pleasure and arousal from a partner that is marked in some way. Via DrMarkGriffiths

 I guess they forgot to mention about self-arousal.

Piercings for a hotter touch?

Tattoos and piercings have each a certain connection with sexual arousal though. Tattoos are visual tools while piercings have the power to be visual as well as tactile. Some piercings are actually made with that in mind. Women and men with genital and nipple piercings said the main reasons for having the areas pierced were sexual interest and sexual responsiveness. A woman with multiple piercings said

I personally have had my ears, cartilage, nose, navel, nipples, and vaginal hood pierced. Some of the piercings I got because I liked the look and others were to enhance pleasure. Most of my friends like body piercing; some find it attractive while some even think it enhances sex. The nipple piercing can wake up any nipple. Men have told me the piercing makes their nipples extra sensitive. Women say it has made the nipple more pleasurable when licked, sucked, pinched, or bit. Via cltampa

Enticing or not?

What’s your take on the matter?

-         Do you find tattoos or piercings erotic?

-         What makes a tattoo or a piercing sexy? Is it the imagery, is it the placement?

-         Did you meet a tattooed/pierced provider and did the fact that she had body modifications improve your experience in a way?