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| Heavier forms of body modification ([[Implant|implants]], [[Tongue splitting|tongue splitting]], [[Subincision|subincision]], [[Castration|castration]], [[Female circumcision|female circumcision]], and even procedures such as [[Scarification|scarification]] in some areas) are fairly "grey" in their legality, and only slight variations may make them clear-cut violations of the law (i.e. as a medical procedure, on a minor, etc.). Because of this, if a [[Practitioner|practitioner]] is being targeted by the authorities, they may be presented with a custom-tailored sting (i.e. a "[[Fake Client Con|Fake Client Con]]", but done by the government) with these variations (underage client, etc.) in order to increase the chances of a conviction.
| | Some [[Piercers|piercers]] claim to be licensed in one way or another. This is at best 50% true. There is ''no'' central body qualified or legally able to offer licensing to piercers or [[Tattoo artists|tattoo artists]]. Thus, there is no '''piercing license'''. |
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| These '''fake clients''' may come with offers of huge amounts of money for the procedures (one recent case saw $8,000 being offered for a pair of circumcisions) and other promises that make the deal seem "too good to be true". Practitioners should be warned that even by entertaining online conversations on these subjects they may find themselves charged with the "intent" to commit a crime, even if they never would have independently gone out and done so.
| | In some states, the state does license piercers, but this is largely a health board license which ensures that studios adhere to a set of rules governing use of an [[Autoclave|autoclave]], [[Sterile|sterile]] procedures, etc. It does not guarantee in any way that the [[Practitioner|practitioner]] is technically qualified to perform [[Piercings|piercings]] or [[Tattoos|tattoos]]. |
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| Because of these types of tactics most [[Cutter|cutters]] who have survived in the long term stick to the following rules:
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| * '''Don't mix business and pleasure.'''
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| * Don't blur the line between fantasy and reality. Additionally, many clients who approach you will mostly be about fantasy. You need to quickly identify and distance yourself from these characters.
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| * If a procedure seems "too good to be true" financially, or seems tailored to your personal fetishes, steer clear of it.
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| * Use word-of-mouth networks and only work on people who can offer a referral (i.e. if you don't personally know the person, make sure someone you know trusts them).
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| * Don't advertise illegal acts in public, especially in a way that can track back to you. Any public documentation should track back to the client ''if anyone'', who can then act as a "filter" to pass potential future clients to you.
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| * If you are a professional piercer or tattoo artist, '''never''' do procedures outside of what's unquestionably legal in your studio. If for some crazy reason you do, don't charge for it, and don't document it.
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| * '''Never, never, never work on minors or even ''talk'' about working on minors.''' Even ''talking'' to minors, or talking to the parents of minors about doing a procedure on them could get you in trouble. Be very clear on this point!
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| * '''Never, never, never talk about (or boast about) what you do with the mainstream.''' Don't put up a website with your real name on it, don't do TV interviews, and don't get drunk at the local bar and talk loudly about your exploits (that's how [[Edward Bodkin|Edward Bodkin]] got nailed).
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| * Retain a good lawyer. Odds are you won't need them; but if you do, you'll be very, very happy you did.
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| Extreme body modification has been around for a long, long, long time. It's not a modern or youth phenomenon, but the publicity of modern times combined with the recklessness of youth are endangering practitioners as modern youth embraces heavy body modification. This is making heavy modification an increasing public health concern, and is thus forcing governments to take prosecutorial action.
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Some piercers claim to be licensed in one way or another. This is at best 50% true. There is no central body qualified or legally able to offer licensing to piercers or tattoo artists. Thus, there is no piercing license.
In some states, the state does license piercers, but this is largely a health board license which ensures that studios adhere to a set of rules governing use of an autoclave, sterile procedures, etc. It does not guarantee in any way that the practitioner is technically qualified to perform piercings or tattoos.