The NSW Health Minister has spoken out against the body modification industry, labelling it ‘the worst barbarism imaginable’ after announcing he will do what he can to tighten regulations on the industry.
Minister Brad Hazzard said after a number of complaints to the Health Care Complaints Commission about unlicensed practitioners meant a state wide crackdown in NSW was inevitable.
‘My view is these people are ruthlessly opportunistic. This is up there with the worst barbarism imaginable,’ he told The Daily Telegraph.
The Health Minister has spoken out against the body modification industry labeling it as ‘the worst barbarism imaginable’ after announcing he will do what he can to tighten regulations on the industry
The Health Minister has asked the Ministry of Health to expedite regulatory changes on precedes such as tongue splitting and implants under the skin
Body modification has had a burst in popularity in recent years leading to more practitioners on the streets
‘I have asked the Ministry of Health to expedite regulatory changes announced last week as part of the cosmetic surgery review.’
He described the unlicensed body modifiers as being ‘ruthlessly opportunistic’ and said it was akin to ‘the worst barbarism imaginable’ and ‘just plain wacko’.
Some of the specific procedures that will likely undergo regulation restrictions are tongue splitting, cosmetic fillers and implants put in under the skin.
He described the unlicensed body modifiers as being ‘ruthlessly opportunistic’ and said it was akin to ‘the worst barbarism imaginable’ and ‘just plain wacko’
Brendan Russell, 37, (pictured) a body modifier from Terrigal on the NSW Central Coast was arrested on Tuesday following the alleged genital mutilation of a female customer in 2016.
Brendan Russell, 37, a body modifier from Terrigal on the NSW Central Coast was arrested on Tuesday following the alleged genital mutilation of a female customer in 2016.
He was then charged has been charged with prohibition of genital mutilation and will face court on May 15
It was then revealed days later that he had a collection of his clients’ severed fingers, toes and belly buttons on display in his home.
Brendan Russell, 37, pictured back, from Terrigal on the NSW Central Coast has been charged with female genital mutilation
The 37-year-old body modifier claimed to be and expert at removing nipples, pictured, belly buttons and earlobes
He also removed fingers and toes, keeping these in jars at his home, and showing them off online
The self-described body modifier ‘bragged to friends’ about his collection of body parts which includes nipples, fingers, toes, belly buttons and earlobes.
‘They are on display on a shelf in his house, and he tells anyone who will listen about them or shows them pictures,’ a friend who wishes to remain anonymous said.
He also posts videos showing off some of the body parts in their specimen jars on social media, under his ‘modification name’ Bslice.
The specimen jars in these videos appear to be the same kind he can be seen using on his YouTube page where he is filmed ‘modifying’ clients’ bodies.
Russell’s arrest and subsequent charge comes just weeks after a warning against subdermal implants was issued by the NSW Healthcare Complaints Commission.
Russell’s arrest and subsequent charge comes just weeks after a warning against subdermal implants was issued by the NSW Healthcare Complaints Commission
His business, Transition, at Erina Fair was open to customers following the raid
Russell, pictured burning a client’s head, is not allowed to work as a body modifier while on bail
Russell’s arrest and subsequent charge comes just weeks after a warning against subdermal implants was issued by the NSW Healthcare Complaints Commission
‘The NSW Health Care Complaints Commission is concerned about complaints regarding surgical procedures involving the insertion of subdermal implants for ‘extreme’ body modification purposes and the risks to the health and safety of consumers undergoing these procedures,’ the warning read.
The risks of body modifications done by members of the ‘skin penetration industry’ include infection and nerve damage, according to the health watch dog.
As the body modification industry is not yet legislated there are not many rules for operators to follow.
They must comply with infection control standards of the health act and notify the council when setting up the business.
But, unlike tattoo artists and body piercers, body modifiers don’t need to have their clients sign a consent form prior to working on them.
As the body modification industry is not yet legislated there are not many rules for operators to follow – pictured is a client with Russell
A belly-button removal procedure done by Russell and posted online
The 37-year-old posts a lot of pictures of his modifications online including split tongues, tattooed eyes, and modified ears
According to Russell’s social media posts he did undertake sterilisation training online
The health warning was issued following a number of complaints to the commission about businesses in NSW following the insertion of these implants.
The health warning does not mention Russell or his business, Transition, in Erina Fair.
According to Russell’s social media posts he did undertake sterilisation training online.
The alleged mutilation Russell is charged over occurred in Newcastle, before he opened up his own studio in Erina.
The alleged mutilation Russell is charged over occurred in Newcastle, before he opened up his own studio in Erina
A tongue split body modification done by Russell is pictured
Daily Mail Australia understands the woman who was allegedly mutilated went to get her ‘labia modified’ but was unsatisfied with the outcome, allegedly complaining to Russell for a year before going to police
Daily Mail Australia understands the woman who was allegedly mutilated went to get her ‘labia modified’ but was unsatisfied with the outcome, allegedly complaining to Russell for a year before going to police.
Police confirmed ‘several’ other former customers of Mr Russell had also made complaints, which are being investigated.
Russell has only been charged with the one offence.
He was released on bail with strict bail conditions. He can’t perform any body modifications and must report to police every day until he appears in court on May 15.
Police confirmed ‘several’ other former customers of Mr Russell had also made complaints, which are being investigated
Police confirmed ‘several’ other former customers of Mr Russell had also made complaints (a customer is pictured)