(A) All definitions set forth in 410 I.A.C. 1-5 and I.C. 35-45-21-4(b), and as amended hereafter, are hereby incorporated by reference (and are not being repeated in this chapter). TATTOO AND BODY PIERCING, as defined in 410 I.A.C. 1-5 for the purposes of this chapter, does not include practices that are considered medical or dental procedures by a state medical or dental board. Nor does this definition include piercing of the lobe of the ear with pre-sterilized, single use, stud-and-clasp ear-piercing systems. Unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the meaning of the additional terms used in this chapter shall be as follows in division (B) below.
(B) For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
BODY. A human body.
BRANDING. A form of extreme body modifications and scarification using a superheated metal object, chemical, or electricity to burn an image into the human body.
CONTAMINATED SHARP. Any object that can cut or penetrate the skin, including, but not limited to needles, razors, scalpels, and other similar objects used to penetrate the skin.
CUTTING. A method of extreme body modification and scarification which creates scars on the skin by using a sharp object, such as a scalpel or knife, to cut into the skin. CUTTING is differentiated from a method called skin peeling in that no tissue is removed to create the scar during the cutting method.
DEPARTMENT. The County Health Department.
DERMAL PUNCHING. A method of creating piercings in the body, which removes a segment of tissue, as opposed to traditional piercing, which makes a half moon shaped slice in the tissue. It is generally used when large gauge jewelry insertion is desired at the time of the procedure.
EXTREME BODY MODIFICATION. Any method, other than tattoo, permanent makeup, or body piercing methods, used to alter the human skin.
FACILITY. The meaning set forth in 410 I.A.C. 1-3-7.
HEALTH OFFICER. The duly-appointed County Health Officer, as set forth in I.C. 16-20-2-16. The County Health Officer, or his or her authorized designee, shall enforce this chapter. The HEALTH OFFICER may designate a representative in the Health Department to perform those duties and responsibilities of the HEALTH OFFICER.
IMPLANTATION. A form of extreme body modification where items, such as shaped metal or other foreign bodies, are placed under the skin to produce the outline and texture of the desired image on the surface of the skin, or a protrusion from the surface of the body.
NULLIFICATION. The voluntary removal of body parts. Most commonly this means castration (and sometimes penectomy), amputation of fingers or toes, or, in extreme cases, removal of full limbs.
SCARIFICATION. A form of extreme body modification that uses methods, or techniques, to produce scars on the human body for decorative purposes. Examples of SCARIFICATION methods include branding, cutting, and skin peeling.
SKIN PEELING. A technique of extreme body modification and scarification which consists of cutting on the human body the outline of a design and removing the center, thereby creating a scar where the skin was removed.
SUSPENSION PIERCING. The act of hanging the human body from, or partially from, hooks pierced through the flesh in various places around the body.
TONGUE BIFURCATION. A non-surgical process in which the tongue is split with the use of lasers or nylon material.
TONGUE SPLITTING. A surgical procedure in which the tongue is cut centrally from its tip part of the way towards its base, forking the end.
UNREGULATED (UNAPPROVED AND APPROVED) INVASIVE BODY MODIFICATION. The act of performing branding, cutting, dermal punching, implantation, scarification, skin peeling, tongue splitting, suspension piercing, or any other extreme body modification not otherwise specifically approved in these regulations, or use of any drug or cosmetic other than topical over-the-counter anesthetic, and/or performing any recognized medical procedure not specifically approved in these regulations by any person other than a licensed medical professional.
(Ord. 2012-1, passed 6-18-2012)