Ever since I took out my eyebrow ring (due to migration from straight jewelry) last autumn, I've missed having visible piercings. I wanted to get it re-done using proper jewelry; due to my mother's views on body mod, however, I did not replace it. This past June I got my vertical hood (another great experience worthy of its own essay), and since have considered a tongue web piercing because of its hidden/visible nature. Invisible to parents and employers but easily show-able to friends. This is my first oral piercing, though I've considered venoms before.
At A Glance Author lovejunk IAM lovejunk When It just happened Artist Juliette Studio ONE Location Ottawa Juliette at the shop ONE in Ottawa was recommended to me since I was taking a trip here from Toronto. Today, I decided to act on my desire. My pal Supriya and I took a very long walk around Ottawa and finally found the place, just when I was giving up hope looking for it. We were going to eat beforehand but didn't want the place to close. My first impression of ONE: beautiful. I thought we were in the wrong place. It was simply decorated and very peaceful, with beautiful black fish in the aquarium and nice music in the background. Juliette was incredibly nice right away, not like the latent surliness I sometimes get from shops. Su decided to replace her lip ring, and went in first. As I expected, everything was clean, brand new and sterile. The lip procedure went well, with me there as moral support. Then it was my turn.
It seems I have a good tongue for this type of piercing, always a bonus. On went the clamp, which hurt quite a lot. I took two deep breaths and the needle was through...I kind of wish I had felt it more. It felt good for that tiny moment (Juliette said she was fast!) The jewelry is a 16g curved barbell, and it's very comfortable.
I was warned that putting the bead on at the end would take a long time, and would be uncomfortable. It was a bit uncomfortable, but didn't take much time at all, to the delight of everyone involved. Unfortunately the experience took a lot out of me, and apparently my face went white, so I lay down for a bit and had cold towels on my face and neck. It worked wonders and I was up soon enough. After the last rinse with mouthwash we were on our way (stopping first to read the ModCon book for a bit), but made the mistake of trying to eat dinner. I managed to drink down my miso soup, but the sushi just wasn't working. It's quite tender now, but I'm able to swallow much easier than back in the restaurant. It's straight and beautiful and feels great. It's positioned much lower or deeper than I expected, perhaps because I've seen photos on BME of piercings through the flesh closer to the tip of the tongue. It sits nicely down there, not touching my teeth at all. I really like how it feels when I run the tip of my tongue between the balls of the jewelry.
The aftercare is simple enough, mouthwash after eating or drinking and at least three times a day (from memory, I've got the sheet in my coat pocket). This must be done for a week, then twice a day for another week. If I wanted to change the jewelry, I'd have to wait at least 6 weeks, but I'm happy with what I've got and the size of my tongue won't change too much besides a little reduction in the swelling. Tonight I'll be taking it easy, trying not to run to the mirror too often to gaze at it (as was the case with the hood – just couldn't stop looking at it!) and probably not eating much more than soup and tea. I seem to be slobbering a lot, but not so much that it's running down my face. More that it seems that I need to swallow more often, but don't want to because it involves a little bit of pain. For a while in the restaurant my neck was hurting on the left side, but that's probably from all the swallowing I tried to do so soon after the procedure. Right now it hardly e ven hurts anymore, as before there was a constant dull pain.
So far, I love it. It looks great and was done very very well. I also recommend ONE, if I lived in Ottawa I'd certainly go back there again. I also recommend this type of piercing if you've got the right physiology for it. To me, piercing is an intense physical and spiritual experience, and is one of the most potent ways possible of expressing myself. Every needle that touches me leaves a mark, as do everyone who wield those needles. This experience has strengthened my bond with the BME community, and I am grateful for it.