Subdermal implant

Definition
A subdermal implant refers to, in this instance, a kind of body jewelry that is placed underneath the skin, therefore allowing the body to heal over the implant and creating a raised design. These kinds of implants fall under the broad category of body modification. Many people who get these implants use them in conjunction with other types of body modification to create a desired, dramatic effect. This process is also known as getting a 3-D implant or pocketing.

Types
According to the Church of Body Modification, there are two main types of subdermal implants. They are known as subdermal implants and transdermal implants.

Subdermal
These are the kind of implants that are completely buried in the skin. These are used for both cosmetic and medical purposes. One of the most prominent medical uses for these is Norplant, a contraceptive device consisting of “six levonorgestrel-releasing Silastic® capsules” placed under the skin of a woman’s wrist. The cosmetic ones can be used to create almost any desired shape. These implants are usually made of molded silicon, though you can find surgical steel and Teflon implants as well.

Transdermal
These kind of implants are placed under the skin, but also protrude out of it. This is done through a process known as ‘dermal punching’. In an explanation of the process, The Church of Body Modification website explains that first the implant is placed in between the layers of skin. They state that it is necessary for the part of the implant that will be located under the skin to have a proper shape. This must be one with holes in it (like a figure eight) so that the body will be able to grow around it. Once the implant is placed, the part that will protrude out is exposed using a dermal punch. There are also kinds of subdermal implants that are magnetic, as seen in the picture. An interesting application of these kinds of implants is being explored by Klara Jirkova, a student at the Berlin University of the Arts. She is proposing that implants made of surgical grade steel, titanium or other body-compatible plastic materials be used to create what she calls “Braille tattoos”. These, she says “can be read by touch – stroke by blind people .” They would most likely be located near the thumb so that they could be read during a handshake. She states that this will be a more meaningful form of body modification as it relates to the sense of touch instead of sight.

Procedure
To have one of these implants installed, the procedure is much like wide-spread medical procedures, such as getting a pacemaker, as Quinn Norton explains. To begin, the person performing the procedure will make an incision down to the subcanteous layer in the skin. Then a widely-used medical instrument known as a dermal elevator separates the subcutis and the fascia which creates the pocket that the implant will be inserted into. The implant is placed where it is wanted and the incision is stitched shut.

History
The kinds of subdermal implants that are being done today are a fairly recent innovation. It is generally agreed upon the fact that they were pioneered at they are today by Steve Haworth. In his shop, HTC Body Piercing in Phoenix, AZ he first began these procedures after being asked for a bracelet. He concluded that he could put a row of beads under the woman’s wrist to create the effect she desired. Since then, many different artists have done many different kinds of implants. Some of the well known names in the industry are Steve Haworth, Emilio Gonzales, and Stelarc who recently had a cell-cultivated ear implanted on his arm.

Reasons
The reasons for getting a subdermal implant are much the same for any other body modification. It is a form of self-expression. Kim Hewitt, in her book Mutilating the Body: Identity in Blood and Ink states that many people “introduced self-inflicted wounds as decorative and deliberate means of communication .” For some, it takes a deeper level than outwardly self expression. Listed as church doctrine for the Church of Body Modification, “It is our belief that by practicing body modification and by engaging in rituals of body manipulation we strengthen the bond between mind, body, and soul and ensure that we live as spiritually complete and healthy individuals .” Of course, the choice to get any kind of body modification, including subdermal implants is highly individualized choice. There are as many reasons for getting such adornments as there are kinds of adornments themselves.

Aftercare
Subdermal implants are treated like many other body modifications in their aftercare. According to the Church of Body Modification, “The most important part of aftercare is keeping your sutures clean and dry .” They also suggest strategies of using paper versus cloth products (as cloth products can hold many bacteria) to clean and cover the area of the implant and cleaning the sutures with solutions designed for sterilization of piercings. After 10-12 days, the stitches can be removed. They also say it can take up to 3 months for the desired effect to be reached. As part of their philosophy, they encourage all to “Use common sense; know your body and listen to what it needs! Take care of yourself and your modifications .” This can include seeing a medical doctor at the sign of infection or for help removing sutures. This emphasis is on making intelligent choices to keep body modifiers safe, before, during and after the process of getting a subdermal implant.

Health Risks
With these kinds of implants, as with any other kind of body modification, there are associated health risks. These risks are somewhat elevated with this kind of procedure as it is similar to plastic surgery, making it more extreme and dangerous than many other kinds of body modification. Any time that the human body is opened, it must be performed in a sterile environment, in order to prevent infection. This has become a major source of controversy regarding subdermal implants. Many trained health professional are concerned for the welfare of such individuals that choose to undergo these procedures. The majority of these procedures are being performed by individuals with little to no formal medical training. They also frequently take place under less-than-ideal conditions. This concerns professionals as the risk of infection is very real. The body modification industry is trying to make changes to the risky behaviors that are sometimes taken by unqualified people who are performing such implants. One such person trying to change things is David A. Vidra, the founder of Health Educators, Inc. Health Educators, Inc. is a company set up as “education for the modification industry .” It is set up as qualified instructors teaching proper sanitation, sterilization and other proper techniques so that these kinds of procedures can be performed safely. Many medical doctors are still concerned, however. Dr. Phil Haeck states, “This is a deviation in surgery that has no place for someone that has taken the Hippocratic Oath and wants to serve mankind ” making it into an ethical issue. Many physicians hold the view that performing such procedures on patients would be causing harm. This leads to an interesting contradiction as those who have the training to perform the procedures refuse to yet they are still concerned about others (with less training) performing them.