It's still done in some tribal cultures. Traditional Māori tattoos were carved into the skin, instead of being inked like nowadays. If that counts as "scarification" then I'd choose that over piercings, in deference to my culture's traditions.
(^^^^ On a completely different note, that cat photo is adorable.
)
Sweet pies or meat pies?
_________________
It is easy to go down into Hell;
Night and day, the gates of dark Death stand wide;
But to climb back again, to retrace one's steps to the upper air –
There's the rub, the task.
– Virgil, The Aeneid (Book VI)