Puncture is a kind of decoration of human body. It is to pierce or cut a part of human body to form an opening, in which jewelry can be worn or implants can be inserted. The term puncture can refer to the act or practice of body puncture, or the opening formed in the body by the act or practice. Through metonymy, it can also refer to the ornament produced or the ornament jewelry used. Contrary to popular belief, perforations are only related to visual jewelry, and perforating implants can change the contour and appearance of the body and / or skin (for example, gold wire, platinum, titanium or medical steel subcutaneous implants installed under the skin). Although the history of human body perforation is unclear due to popular wrong information and lack of academic reference, there is sufficient evidence that since ancient times, both men and women have made human body perforation in various forms.

Ear piercing and nostril piercing are very common, which are well represented in historical records and heavy objects. The oldest mummified remains ever found are sports earrings, proving that the custom has existed for more than 5000 years. The record of nose puncture can be traced back to 1500 BC. These types of perforations have been documented worldwide, and lip and tongue perforations have been found in the history of tribal cultures in Africa and the United States. The perforation of the nipple and genitals has been practiced in many cultures. The perforation of the nipple can be traced back to ancient Rome at least, while the perforation of the genitals is described in ancient Indian C. 320-550 A.D. The history of navel piercing is unclear. The practice of body piercing has fluctuated in western culture, but its popularity has increased since the Second World War. In the 1970s, subculture was popular in places other than ears, and it spread to the mainstream in the 1990s.

There are many reasons for perforation or non perforation. Some pierce for religious or spiritual reasons, while others pierce for self-expression, aesthetic value, sexual pleasure, obedience to their culture or resistance to it. Some forms of perforation remain controversial, especially when applied to youth. The display or placement of perforations is restricted by schools, employers and religious groups. Despite the controversy, some people have used extreme forms of body piercing, and Guinness has awarded the world record to hundreds or even thousands of individuals with permanent and temporary punctures.

The contemporary practice of body puncture emphasizes the use of safe body puncture materials, often using special tools developed for this purpose. Puncture is an invasive operation, which has some risks, including allergic reaction, infection, excessive scar formation and unexpected body injury. However, preventive measures such as puncture operation and careful late care are emphasized to minimize the possibility of encountering serious problems. The healing time required for body piercing may vary from one month for some genital punctures to two years for the navel.