Now that a member of the Royal Family, Zara Phillips has had a stud through her tongue, body piercing has entered the mainstream.
So much so that there are new calls for tighter regulation of the business. But it is not a new phenomenon?
A new exhibition at the Science Museum in London traces body modification back to the ancient Egyptians. So what significance does piercing have now?
Body Piercer Laura Simpson and Sarah Bakewell who is Curator of the Metamorphing Exhibition at the Science Museum join Jenni to discuss. What are your views