Thailand: 'Bagel head' fad carries risks, teens warned

[StrontiumDog]

'Bagel head' fad carries risks, teens warned | Bangkok Post: news

'Bagel head' fad carries risks, teens warned

• Published: 27/09/2012 at 05:30 PM
• Online news: Local News

The new Japanese youth fashion fad of a "bagel head" induced with saline injections to the forehead carries inherent risks of infection and even meningitis, a respected skin specialist has warned.

The body modification fashion craze came to light in an episode of the Taboo cable TV programme, produced by National Geographic.

It showed three Japanese teenagers receiving a saline injection of around 400ml in the forehead, which then swelled up. A thumb is then pressed into the centre, creating the "bagel", or doughnut, shape. The process takes around two hours.

Dr Jirot Sindhvananda of the Institute of Dermatology said the degree of risk depends on the amount and concentration of the injected saline solution. The muscle on the forehead is a sponge-like tissue which is quite thin and attached to the skull, he added. This area swells easily and these injections may be harmful, with increased risk of infection or even of contracting meningitis.

Though the effect is temporary and wears off in 16-24 hours, Dr Jirot warned Thai teenagers not to imitate the Japanese fad.

The extreme body modification was introduced to Japan by Ryoichi “Keroppy” Maeda, a photographer and journalist. It has been popular since 2007, with parties for people with bubbly foreheads about twice a year in Japan.

The show generated huge interest on Thai web boards, with posters on the Pantip forum questioning the beauty of it, and many saying it is downright scary.

[Albert Shagnastier]

a "bagel head" induced with saline injections to the forehead carries inherent risks of infection

yeast and flour injections with a hearty Oy Veh seem to have relatively little effect.

[Satonic]

Just in case you are wondering -

[aging one]

Oh fuck me. !! They ought to do it just to identify themselves as idiots. Then we dont have to presume anything.

[SiLeakHunt]

and my mam and dad had the cheek to have go at my generation about having their ears pierced

[t.s]

thats fooked

[ENT]

In was called crazy for having a Beatle haircut as a teen.

[VocalNeal]

One would suppose they know they are butt ugly naturally with no chance of pulling so they make themselves uglier. WTF.

Isn't there a thread about common sense?

[Albert Shagnastier]

^Stick to Ribs Tony

[DJ Pat]

I'd imagine it won't be long before you see some idiot schoolkids on the skytrain with this on his head

[SiLeakHunt]

I've woken up with a couple of birds that looked like that ..

Cheers

[bobo746]

^ not something i would be telling the world mate.