Encapsulation failure

Encapsulation failure is a method of failure which can occur in many types of body modifications. Encapsulation failure is when a biocompatible coating or encapsulation surrounding a non-biocompatible inner device or material breaks, often causing a multitude of heath risks, and making the modification nonfunctional.

In glow scarification

Glow powders used in glow scarification are typically encapsulated with silica, or phosphate passivization. Both types can experience encapsulation failure. Mechanical stress or friction can cause this, mainly with use of tattoo guns instead of manual needling. However encapsulation failure can also be caused by defects in the manufacturing process, and a small number of encapsulation failure is almost assured with any glow scar. This is part of why yttrium based glow powders are such a high risk, you will almost certainly be exposed to some yttrium, which is a highly toxic element. Even with safer strontium or calcium based powders, it is still a safety risk when large amounts of powder experiences encapsulation failure.

Glow powder which faces encapsulation failure, or which is implanted but accidentally not encapsulated, will almost completely dissolve into the body.

In magnet implants

While some magnet implants are very resistant to encapsulation failure, such as titanium encased implants from Abysswalker, others are almost guaranteed to fail, having silicone or parylene, which will fail after a few years.

In electronic implants

will write later