Have you ever done anybody modification? Do you have a tattoo? How about a piercing? Chances are, you can answer yes to at least one of those questions. In 2012, 21% of Americans reported having at least one tattoo and about 61% of American adults have at least one piercing. But what about this question: do you have tusks? Probably none of you would answer yes to that question. [1] [2]
But the number of living human beings with tusks is not zero. One Brazilian tattoo artist can make that claim, having had two large tusks attached to his lower teeth. The tattoo artist is 41 years old and he calls himself Orc. And when you see Orc, you’ll realize it’s a pretty fitting name for this guy. [3]
Orc hails from Iguatemi, which is a small town near the border of Paraguay and Brazil located on the Brazilian side. He got his first tattoo when he was 15 years old and began dabbling in body modification, like piercings, when he was in his mid-30s. But the decision to give himself tusks is a massive step further than most people would be willing to take it. And in order to take it, he really paid for it.
In total, he spent $519 on attaching tusks to his teeth and has tattooed about 80% of his body, including his face. But Orc insists that, through it all, he’s just trying to be himself, despite the fact that he acknowledges that his appearance kind of freaks some people out.
“I am trying to be myself, these are just my ideas, my inspirations coming from the heart. I am not inspired by anyone,” he told Unilad. [3]
Orc says his mom doesn’t like it, his dad tolerates it, and his friends mostly think his choices are weird. But I think he’s got the right attitude: be yourself because everyone else is taken.
Read: People Are Ditching Classic Engagement Rings For Piercings
Even though he gets mixed reactions from his close circle, he gets some pretty positive comments from people that he encounters, probably after the shock of seeing their first betusked man wears off. Most importantly though, Orc is happy with his appearance and his choices, and to be truly happy with yourself is a rare thing to be treasured.
If you’re feeling inspired, or at least a little twitterpated by this story, Orc has advice for you: “Live, be happy, travel, love. Do whatever you want. Life goes by fast and death is certain.“
I have to admit, I love that attitude.
An experienced doctor weighs in:
According to Dr. Anthony Youn, plastic surgeon and CNN contributor, body modifications could either be harmless or they could share a thin boundary with straight-up mutilation. [4]
“There is a big difference between plastic surgery and extreme body modification. Board-certified plastic surgeons are required to undergo at least nine years of schooling and training, pass a slew of rigorous exams, and perform their procedures in a safe, accredited medical center. So if you’re considering extreme body modification, think about it very seriously. Surgical procedures should be performed in a sterile medical environment under the hands of an experienced surgeon. Things can go wrong even under the best of circumstances.”
He added: “Also consider that what you want today may not be what you want in the future. Fashion changes. While it may be cool to have Frankenstein’s bolts in your neck now, in 10 years they may just make you look like a monster.”
Keep Reading: Watch This Woman React to Seeing Her Boyfriend Without His Tattoos for the First Time
Sources
- “Tattoo Statistics – How many people have tattoos?” History of tattoos. Retrieved November 21, 2020
- “Stats – Tattoos In The Workplace” Stapaw.com. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
- “Man Obsessed With Body Modification Gets Tusks Fitted To His Own Teeth” Unilad. Niamh Shackleton. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
- “Body modification — or mutilation?” CNN. Dr. Anthony Youn. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
