Piercings has always been something that interested me since I was a little kid, especially my tongue, but my mother would never let me get anything but my ears pierced. Once I turned 18, I decided I wanted to get my tongue pierced, but I was too chicken, and I ended up waiting almost 2 years before actually having the courage to get it done.
At A Glance Author iguanapunk Contact kryohed1@hotmail.com When N/A Artist Chris and Erin Studio Crazy Chameleon Location Pittsfield, MA I'll never forget walking into Crazy Chameleon this past summer for my 1st tongue piercing. Erin, one of the piercers, instantly recognized me from school and asked what I was getting done. I said my tongue, and she proceeded to explain the procedure of tongue piercing. Then we went to the room where they do all the piercings.
After she had finished setting up everything, she handed me some Listerine to rinse with. After I had finished rinsing, I stuck out my tongue and got a response of "Wow, we could put quite a few piercings on your tongue", but at that time, I went with just the one.
That first piercing was definitely an interesting experience. I was so nervous that I passed out and had a seizure... I scared the crap out of poor Erin. The piercing, however, did not hurt. This could be because I was passed out, but I did not feel a thing.
After scaring Erin, I decided to head to Friendly's and grab some ice cream so I could keep the swelling to a minimum. Ordering ice cream after having a tongue freshly pierced is a fun experience. I kept getting weird looks, but you would think they would be used to it since they are across the street from Crazy Chameleon.
Needless to say, I followed the after care instructions to the tee because I am paranoid of anything getting infected. I rinsed with Listerine the recommended 8-10 times daily, sometimes even more.
I couldn't wait until I could take the extra long barbell out of my mouth though. It was driving me insane starting the second day. I was lucky and my tongue did not swell. That could have been because I was constantly sucking on ice and ice water, but who knows. Because of the two weeks of having the extra long barbell, I had a lisp. It was too large for my mouth.
But anyway, after getting the 1st tongue piercing done, I decided I wanted more, but that I also wanted something different because I had seen a few people with multiple tongue piercings.
So, I recently decided, after speaking with Chris, the owner and other piercer at Crazy Chameleon, that I would do a variation on the venom piercings. Instead of getting the venom piercings with barbells, I was going to do rings. This is partly due to me wanting to do something different, but also because of the manner in which my veins run down my tongue. Piercings them with captive rings is a little safer than with barbells.
About a week and a half ago, I got the first of the two venom piercings done, and it looks pretty hot.
I show up to Crazy Chameleon, and Chris asks what I want done today. I say I want my tongue done. I don't remind her that I want the sides done, and she forgot because she responds with, "You already have your tongue done" but immediately corrects herself, and says, "You want the evil side piercings done". I then fill out the paper work.
I'm getting kind of sick of the large ring, but you know how it goes with swelling. But this time, there was no passing out. On Thursday, I'm getting the second piercing done, and I can't wait.
After getting this piercing done, Chris asks me if I need the aftercare speech because I am now in the shop on a weekly basis getting either a new piercing or a new tattoo. As usual, I respond with, "Nope, I know what I've got to do. Rinse 8-10 times daily and after anything goes in my mouth, chew on ice, drink plenty of ice water, avoid hot foods, etc." and exit the shop. I then head across the street to Friendly's to buy some ice cream. Again, I get funny looks because I couldn't talk correctly. Oh well.
The ring is beginning to bother me about as much as the extra long barbell did. Again, my tongue did not swell too much. This piercing was swollen for a little longer than the first day. The swelling lasted maybe four days this time, but was barely swollen at that. The larger ring is giving me more of a speech impediment than the swelling does. Once I get the second piercing done Thursday, a smaller ring is also getting put into this piercing. It should look wicked good.
I didn't get the two piercings done at the same time for a few reasons. The first being the money factor. I'm a college student, money is not something I have a lot of. The second being the swelling issue. Neither my normal barbell or my side piercing have gotten too swollen, but I couldn't risk not being able to talk for a few days.
Anyway, I am very happy with the way tongue looks so far, and I cannot wait until it finished (for now anyway). And who knows,I may end up getting a few more piercings on my tongue, because I know I have the room.