For as long as I could remember, I always wanted to get my tongue pierced. Well, maybe not as long, but you get my drift. I met someone once with it done, and that was it, I was gone. I vowed that one day I'd do it too. Imagine my horror to discover that my father is completely against piercing and tattooing one's body because it is "stupid and pointless". Well, time goes on an I grew up. Finally one day when walking past Four Roses Body piercing studio I though, well, why not have a look?
At A Glance Author Stacey Contact Stacey@bme.anon When A week ago Artist Amy Studio Puktured (Off Ya Tree) Location Adelaide, Australia The place was clean, sterile looking and best of all, the staff were friendly and willing to describe what happened and what I needed to do. Unfortunately they were not so willing to pierce the tongue of a minor without parental consent. The law doesn't say that you have to be over 18 to get your tongue pierced (in Australia, anyway, that I know of) but a friend later told me that Four Roses have a policy – if it's pink, you have to be 18 before we'll pierce it. There was yet another dart aimed at my plans.
After thinking things through and discussing my options with my best friend Tara, I decided I wouldn't wait. I'd planned my tattoo to be my 18th birthday present, not my tongue piercing. After checking out a few more piercing parlours and asking around, only to be disappointed that many places WON'T do it if you don't have consent, I found Off Ya Tree. Taking a look in, the piercer was friendly, clean and her work room separate from the rest of the shop, and best off all, sterile and calming. I went away that day thinking that the minute I had money I would do it! Luck was on my side when it came to money (for once!) as work promptly called me in to do a LONG shift – I'm in the money! – and all too soon payday rolled around.
TUESDAY: I organised to take a friend from school with me, and as the seniors are allowed to leave for their lunch break, we skipped off down to Off Ya Tree. Being a city school, this was VERY convenient, because everything, ATM's, fast food joins and chemists were all at our fingertips. So, walking into Off Ya Tree, I was a little nervous, mainly because I couldn't think of a way to explain why I didn't do my history homework when I couldn't talk properly... help!
We went in, I sat down and we decided on the placing of my barbell. Unfortunately I have a very short tongue, which means it ended up being on a strange angle backwards, but I don't mind. A swish of Listerine, a clamp on my tongue and a brief sting later, and I was pierced. It hurt a little, not much, and certainly not as much as I had been imagining! I did bleed a little, nowhere near as much as I thought I would, either, and swelled almost immediately. Amy discussed aftercare with me and had me relax a little, as I felt dizzy. I got cold water to rinse my mouth with, and after paying she sent me on my way with some ice to suck on.
A trip to the chemist later and I had Listerine, and some ant-inflammatory spray to keep the swelling down. Vanessa and I now had another half an hour to kill (as we decided to skip lesson 6) and headed off down the mall for a slushie.
WEDNEDSAY: The next morning it had swollen with a vengeance! I couldn't even talk! For a teenaged girl let me assure you that this is almost the end of the world! I stayed home and nursed my wounded tongue. As Thursday rolled around, I found I could eat, speak and generally be my normal self again. This is not normal from what I've been told, it takes a week for the swelling to go down, but believe me, I was not complaining.
SATURDAY: I had to go to work and then found that it was not normal, working at a fast food joint I found myself having to repeat myself numerous times "Thhattsss ttthhhreee dollarsss, sssseventy pleasssse" I knew what I was saying, so why couldn't other people? As it happened, I was sent home early and told not to come back until I could peak properly again.
FRIDAY: It's now been well over a week. Almost all the swelling has gone now, and almost all my school knows I have my tongue pierced. Not only can I not help but play with it in class (much to the rage of my English teacher, the annoyance of my Classics and Modern History teacher and the head shaking sadness at self-inflicted wounds of my Biology teacher) but people can see the brightly coloured balls that I had put on it on Wednesday when I speak.
So far so good on the home front, neither my dad nor my brother have seen it, or notices that I now have a little bit of a lisp. Maybe there's hope for all of us.... I hope you enjoyed reading about this positive experience, and if you decide to get your tongue pierced, go for it, it's worth the small amount of pain!