It was a split-second decision and not the first of the kind for me. Very early two mornings ago, I made the final decision as to what I would get poked next: my tongue. When I first brought myself to the modified culture, I hated the idea of a tongue piercing, and the fact that it was the sign of the rebellious teenager at the time. It just wasn't something I wanted at the time, but much time has passed since then. It was a toss-up between getting an industrial done on my right ear, or having my tongue pierced, and I chose to have my tongue pierced.
At A Glance Author Shannon Warwick Contact shannwarwick@hotmail.com When It just happened Studio Skin Within Location Cornwall, Ontario, Canada One of the problems with Cornwall is that the modification industry isn't very strong... there is one studio in this city: Skin Within. The other 'professional' piercing artist is not very competent, nor does she 'allow' most procedures to be done within her studio. So, I went to Skin Within. The thing that made this studio so unattractive to me was the fact that customer service ranks very low, but now that I see that there's a reason (the cost) that I'd rather have the owner spend money on the correct tools to get the job done, then on someone to watch the front desk for her. Anyway, the place was very busy today. I waited for an hour before it was finally my turn to be poked. She, looking very stressed, asked me if it was alright that she take a break to have a cigarette before she pierced me, and I said that was okay, heading outside with her so that I could get a chance to talk to her more. She recounted the story behind the opening of her shop, and we had quite the conversation about customer service. All of a sudden, her cigarette was flung to the curbside, and we were on our way to the back of the studio where her piercing room was located.
She asked me how I was feeling, to which I told her "good" and then asked me to take a seat on the customary Dr.'s office bed. She mentioned that my lipring might get in the way, so I asked her if she'd like me to take it out, and when she said yes, I did so, handing the ring to my brother so he could hold it. She asked me whether or not I'd be drinking alcohol during the healing process, and I told her that I could abstain. Since I could, she was able to use a smaller barbell on me, just enough to accommodate the initial swelling, which is a good thing, I think. She gave me a cap of Tech 2000 to rinse with for 30 seconds, and then I was back on the bed again. After opening the sterile packages and setting out everything needed to perform the piercing, she told me to hand her my tongue, to which I obliged. After examining and playing, and positioning, she marked me, and clamped me. Yes! Cold steel in my mouth! Bliss! The adrenaline pouring through me like electricity, she took the needle in her hands, asked me to breathe in, and then out. On my exhale, she pushed the needle through the bottom of my tongue and then up into a receiving cork. Pausing only to grab the barbell and ask me how I was, she then butted the jewelry against the needle, and pushed the barbell through my tongue. The cork stuck to my lip, which almost compromised the move, but all was fine. She screwed the top ball on tightly and then said "okay" and I pulled my tongue into my mouth and closed in on the steel now inside my tongue. What a lovely feeling. It felt so good, to my surprise. The pain was there, but not noticeable. Almost feeling like there was a cold sore on my tongue. I slipped off the bed, and into the hall, where I paused at the mirror to re-insert my lipring, and then make my way to the lobby for aftercare instructions. The usual was said: sea-salt soaks and Tech 2000, careful when eating, no spicy foods, and take care not to play too much. I was happy with how the barbell felt in my mouth. It was almost as though it belonged th "\Ãw(e0 ere. The only thing I wondered about before getting it done was how hard it would be to talk, and so far, I'd had no trouble at all. After paying, buying Tech 2000 and leaving, I walked for a bit, called my mom so that she could pick me up to go buy some soft food I could eat later tonight, and then eventually made my way home. It's now been 5 hours since I had it done, and I still feel well, I'm still a little revved from the adrenaline rush, and not as swollen as I thought it would be. I can still talk as though nothing happened, although because I'm being careful not to knock it around, sometimes my words don't come out right. Haha, I'm sure once it heals, everything will be alright. It's definitely worth having, especially for the fun I'm going to have with my boyfriend once it's healed completely. Carpe Diem!