What does "extreme body modification" exclude?

Extreme body modification generally refers to very significant changes made to the body, often for aesthetics or personal expression, and typically involving procedures that go beyond traditional practices. While body piercing is considered a common form of body art, extreme body modification focuses on more drastic alterations, such as large gauge piercings, scarification, and the implantation of various materials into the body.

Tattooing, scarification, and implantation, on the other hand, can involve techniques that dramatically alter the body's appearance and can be seen as more extreme in their impact. Tattooing marks the skin permanently, scarification involves intentionally creating scars for decorative purposes, and implantation can involve inserting objects under the skin to change the body's shape or texture. Each of these procedures tends to have a lasting and significant impact on bodily appearance, fitting into the definition of extreme body modification.

In contrast, body piercing, while it can be done in extreme ways, is commonly known and widely accepted as a body art practice. Thus, it is often seen as distinct from the more radical alterations defined by extreme body modification.