Ok, I have to admit that I am a total adrenaline junkie (like many other body piercing fans) which is one of the main reasons I got up the guts to pierce my tongue. But, truthfully I never thought I would be able to do it.
At A Glance Author Heather Contact Heather@bme.anon When Six months ago Artist Desta Studio Adorn Body Art Location Beaverton, OR I had gotten my first body piercing when I was 17 (pierced the navel) and since then I had just done more piercings in my ear lobes and my cartilage. The day I turned 18 I pierced my nose and then got a tattoo five days later. I decided after that I needed a break, and I had to leave for college. After being in the residence halls for a month one of my neighbors asked me where I had gotten pierced because she wanted to get her navel pierced, and my roommate said she was thinking about getting something pierced also. Well, that did it for all of us and we decided to make the hour trip to all get pierced.
I had always thought about getting my tongue pierced and loved how it looked on other people, but I did not think I could ever go through with it. The thought of a needle going through my tongue really freaked me out. But this seemed like the perfect opportunity to go and get it done. So, I thought I would try to be brave and go get pierced with them. About halfway to Adorn I decided I was going to get pierced no matter what, and told my best friend not to let me chicken out.
Finally we arrived at Adorn and I totally felt comfortable the second that I walked in. The people are always very helpful and I know that they do a great job no matter what. I went up to the counter and my neighbor said she wanted her navel pierced and I proudly said I wanted to get my tongue pierced. After looking at jewelry and talking prices I decided on a barbell with a purple bead on the top. My neighbor picked a hot pink barbell for her navel, and my roommate decided not to get pierced (she was way too nervous). I talked to the woman at the counter for a while and asked her how bad it really was to get your tongue pierced. Now, I know it's dumb to ask how bad it hurts because pain is different for everyone, but I was super nervous. She was really nice and reassured me that the tongue is one of the least painful and fastest healing piercings. After that I was sold and there was now backing out now!
After getting prices and paperwork all finished the three of us girls and Desta (our piercer) filed into one of the piercing rooms. Desta was very talkative and made all of us feel very comfortable there. She asked who was piercing what and who wanted to go first. I forced myself to go first because if I thought about it any longer I was afraid I would chicken out. I sat down in the chair and Desta explained the whole process to me. Then she proceeded to have me stick out my tongue and she examined to figure out where to place the piercing. She cleaned everything, put on her gloves, and then had me stick out my tongue so she could put the clamp on it. She explained the clamp was because it's your natural reaction to want to pull your tongue back in your mouth, which really isn't helpful when trying to pierce it. After clamping my tongue she handed me some paper towels because she said I was most likely going to drool. Sadly enough she was right and my mouth looked like a wat erfall. She teased me about it saying that I was the best drooler then had all day. She dotted my tongue and then asked if I was ready. I nodded my head since I wasn't able to really talk, and my roommate reached over to hold my hand. Desta had me take a few breaths in and out since she knew I was also really nervous. I closed my eyes and she lined up the needle and BAM I was pierced. I can't say that the piercing really hurt; it more just felt really weird. The whole time I couldn't stop thinking "Oh my gosh, a needle just went through my tongue!" After she took the clamp off I wiped off the rest of the drool (so embarrassing) and I pulled my tongue back into my mouth. It felt so weird to have the barbell there, and at first I wasn't sure if I would get used to it. Desta assured me that I would adjust and told me that the barbell that is in it now is longer then a normal bar to accommodate for the swelling. After that my neighbor got her navel pierced and then we went up t o the front counter to pay. Desta suggested a Slurpee and lots of ice water (both very good ideas). She also warned me it would swell the next few days and gave me all my aftercare goodies (yeah for sea salts).
It swelled for the next few days and eating was not very fun at all, but after a few days it went down. I was so happen when I went to downsize the barbell because the extra long one was getting pretty annoying. I have now been pierced over six months and I totally love it. It's easy to change and I have never had any problem with it. Adorn was a great place to go and the staff there is amazing. Anyone thinking about getting pierced I say go for it you'll absolutely love it!