After only a couple years of debate I finally decided to get my tongue pierced. This is how it all went down...
At A Glance Author Siin Contact Siin@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Ogre Studio Awesome Ink Location Beckley, WV First of all I almost didn't do it. My dad begged me, I mean begged me, not to do it. He paid for my braces and the thought of me chipping a tooth makes him sick. So I had to decide if it was worth breaking my Dad's heart.(I'm a Daddy's Girl, but I'm also old enough not to need permission. I just didn't want to spring it on him all at once.) After about 10 minutes I came to the conclusion that it was well worth his disappointment.
I called my friendly neighborhood studio and was denied because their regular piercer was on maternity leave. Could it be a sign? I decided not. I called a closer shop called Awesome Ink and they told me to come on in. It was kinda scary because I knew nothing about them and I'm anal about cleanliness. I wouldn't have gone anywhere else but I knew it was now or never.
I drove the 20 minutes and was ready to turn around by the time I got there. I sat in the parking lot and thought of every possible excuse to leave but none of them were good enough. I went in.
After asking the piercer, curiously named Ogre, a million questions and making him show me all of his equipment, certificates, test results and every piercing he'd ever done he asked me, with a smile if I was concerned or stalling. Stalling. Definitely. He reassured me that it wasn't as bad as I thought and the after effect would be well worth the piercing. So I said fuck it let's go. I filled out about 20 papers that wanted to know everything but my bra size, and it was time.
I have my inner Labia pierced twice. I knew it would be a different sensation but I almost didn't do that because of fear factor too. So lesson learned - it usually isn't as bad as you think. For some reason this made me so incredibly nervous. Ogre told me to sit down and pick a CD to listen to if that would help relax me. It did. You'd really be surprised how much something familiar calms you when in this situation.
He washed his hands while I rinsed with a real yummy green liquid substance. After I spit,I sat down and tried to relax. The closer we got to the procedure the more excited I got. I knew I wouldn't back out now. I got to pick out my jewelry. Same typical huge-ass barbell that everyone gets. He told me to stick my tongue out straight so he could mark it. I was so shaky with anticipation I like to never got my tongue to stay still! After several tries I willed it straight.
He gave me a mirror so I could approve the placement. It looked great. I nodded and he dried and clamped me. Now contrary to popular belief the clamps aren't all that bad.I really expected them to feel like they were going through my tongue instead of the needle. While he did it he explained the aftercare,(I was horrified by the thought of no coffee), and said he'd go back over it when he was done. I nodded. He gave me my "drool" rag to catch the needle with. He started to chit-chat about music and and outta no where - Hot Damn! - needle through my tongue. I didn't even have to time to breathe and I was pierced. No pain. No shock and surprise. No problem. I felt him fooling around with my tongue, but I still couldn't open my eyes. Finally he let go and I realized that the barbell was already through and tightened.
Ogre went back over my aftercare and told me to call him immediately if I got worried about anything. Even if I thought it was stupid. Better safe than sorry. He also told me to come back in a week to get the barbell changed out. I paid him, attempted to talk for a minute and ended up just drooling bye. I was out with my brand new hole and a new feeling of worth.
It was so easy and so fast. The pain was near non existant. I've had it for about six hours now and still no pain. It's a bit uncomfortable a little sore and the barbell feels massive. There's very little swelling and it looks wonderful. If you've ever had braces you know about some oral pain and none of this held a candle to that. And my Dad's happy that it's not noticeable.
So if you're considering - Do it now! It's completely worth it. The absolute worst part is trying to figure out how to hold it in your mouth and how to talk around it.
Good luck and Happy piercing!