BEFOREHAND:
At A Glance Author cat Artist Donal Studio Belfast City Skinworks Location Belfast, N. Ireland Right up until an hour before I got my tongue pierced I was still debating whether it was a lip or tongue piercing that I was going to get. In a perfect world, I would have had both done that day. However, I have a few important job interviews coming up in the next month so I eventually decided to go for the discreet option and get my tongue done as it can easily be hidden. The lip can wait.
So far, I have had about thirteen piercings. My labret, rook and various lobes stretched up to 2g are all that remain. All of these have healed up pretty nicely with the exception of my rook, which can be a little temperamental. I wasn't particularly worried about my tongue as I'd heard that they normally heal fairly quickly.
THE PROCEDURE:
I get all my piercings done in Belfast City Skinworks. It has recently relocated to bigger premises and is very professional and well organised. I really wouldn't go anywhere else. After signing the requisite papers I went in to the studio. I sat on the dentist-style chair and had a "bib" put over my head. I had a little nosey at some of the displays of tatoos and piercings on the wall around me while Donal prepared the piercing equipment.
I asked him what size he was piercing it at and told me it was 14g. He explained that he would be using a P.T.F.E barbell because it aids the healing process. I was happy to hear this as I have had a few problems with bad allergies. I haven't worked out the exact source yet but it seems SSS doesn't seem to like me much. Acrylic/ P.T.F.E materials always appear to work best for me.
Donal asked me to dab some anaesthetic liquid on both sides of my tongue using cotton buds. I've only recently found out that anesthetics aren't used in many countries. Although I have heard that they can hinder the healing process a little I really wouldn't do without them ;).
I was then asked to stick my tongue out as far as it would go and it was clamped. The clamping was a little bit uncomfortable and much drooling ensued. Donal then put the needle though the bottom of my tongue which was a little sharp but not enough to describe it as painful. The jewelry then went in effortlessly and I rinsed my mouth out with saline(?) and wiped away the drool.
Donal went through the aftercare procedure thoroughly and advised that I should rinse with saline after eating, smoking and brushing teeth etc. He also recommended that I should suck some ice in order to stop the swelling.
I then went to the supermarket where I stocked up on plenty of saline, bought an enormous bag of ice-cubes and a Mr. Frostie. Yum.
THE FOLLOWING DAYS:
I had great difficulty eating initially and found it difficult to speak. My tongue felt heavy and tired and I couldn't talk for long periods of times. Much fun was had at my expense :(
I followed the aftercare procedures religiously, although maybe a little too strictly as my tongue was white for a few days. I have completely avoided mouth wash as a form of aftercare - saline seems to be working well for me.
As far as eating goes soup through a straw was all I could really manage on the first day. I gradually progressed to soft foods such as bread and pasta and after about a week I could eat normally again.
At one stage my tongue was so swollen I was convinced I needed an even longer barbell but now it's quite the opposite, I can't wait to get a shorter one put in. I was a little paranoid about biting on the barbell as the few times I did it really hurt and agitated the piercing.
I'm taking zinc supplements which are supposed to aid the healing process. Ice was a real necessity when the swelling was at it worst and not only helped the swelling go down but also soothed the piercing. I've found that warm sea salt soaks also are quite soothing when the piercing is feeling irritated.
Eventually, I'm hoping to get my tongue stretched to a 8g but I think I'll wait a good while before I start this process. Later this week I'm going to get a shorter barbell put in.
For me, pain wasn't a factor with the tongue piercing. It is the next few days and the speech and eating difficulties that are the only irritation. Although I am sure that this is on a person to person basis and not everyone will have the same problems with speech/ eating. I know a few people who didn't experience much swelling at all, for example.
Personally, I think it was absolutely worth it - I love my new tongue piercing.