IMHO; not only is there some kind underlying psychological situation going on for these people, but the risk to their lives is huge especially for piercing in or around the nose or mouth. These bodily areas are homes to all kinds of bacteria, especially streptococcus. When one takes into consideration the rise of antibiotic resistant germs these people take their lives in their hands. There seems to be a subculture all over the world in which enhancing the body in different ways provides a kind of status or increase in self-esteem.
I often wonder how much thought goes into some of life's decisions. I think we all have made our fair share of dumb choices, it is just that most' of us don't have to live with the consequences being on display publicly. You know, may be the young men who think tattoos on their women are lovely, will as old men, continue to think the same thing? After all they will wrinkle and wither together and we do expect to love our lovers, wrinkles and all, wrinkled tattoos and all may just be a part of it too.