There was myself, having just turned 18 and spurning the world. My only previous experience being pierced was having an industrial, which is a very painful piercing to have. I digress. This was a spur of the moment decision. I was on a lunch from work in the downtown area of this city and decided I'd swing by to check on prices. They told me 50 is standard and includes free body jewelry, and I'd really liked going to this studio before (it's considered one of the best in one of the biggest cities IN Montana, by the way!) so I decided, what the hell, I would get my tongue pierced right then and there and hope my employer didn't notice.
At A Glance Author Christine Contact Christine@bme.anon When A year ago Artist Kari Studio Cafe Earth Location Great Falls, MT I get into the room, sit down, take a huge breath, and start panicking, which I'm good at. Advice to the newbie: getting your tongue pierced shouldn't be just some on the fly decision. It takes a LONG time to heal, especially if it gets infected, the barbell feels very strange as it's constantly riding up against the roof of your mouth and the bottom as well, and get used to biting your piercing often because this THING feels so FOREIGN in your mouth. Now that we've got that aside...well, this experience wasn't so pleasant.
The first time I had someone with me. If you don't like pain or noise or gushing blood, please, please bring someone to hold your hand. My industrial was made bearable by being able to wrench on my sister's hand. I had no one this time. Well, she sanitized my tongue, checked the underside for the placement of my veins (side note, it's very important for your tattoo artist or piercer to check these things...if they don't, they've not been properly trained.) She then sanitized her needle, and the barbell, bent over me, tucked a towel beneath my chin, and said "Ready? One, two...three...ahh, there we go! All finished!"
What I'd experienced was a strange sensation. It's weird to have your tongue pierced. Painful, and I felt it down in my throat. It's a sensation like an orgasm-you can't describe it, because it's unique. Every body part is different. I looked in the mirror and realized she'd pierced the side of my tongue. I blinked owlishly at her and mumbled "Look at this...are you gonna fix that? It's totally off center!" She then pierced me again, and this time it was much more painful.
Apparently she'd gone through SOMETHING in my tongue that caused the needle to catch...mind you, she's always been highly recommended, but in this case I wasn't very impressed at all. She actually pierced my tongue at an angle, not straight up and down. I went into another place when I got my first tattoo (like a week later. I'm telling you, I was thwarting my parents. Ahh, angered youth!) and the artist there told me it shouldn't have been pierced that way, but was healing nicely, although at an angle.
She told me it would look perfectly normal unless I made it apparent, and that it wouldn't cause me any problems. The only reason I might want to re-pierce it would be for pure cosmetic reasons. I've actually liked how it settled in my mouth. I also recommend when you first start out, try both a plastic barbell and a metal one. Buy some different colors and textures (yes, textures!) The only thing I ask is that you refrain from getting this piercing for your partner's, or any potential partner's pleasure. It may become something you enjoy using in a sexual way but I have known far to many people who have gotten the piercing just so they could use it sexually or draw attention to themselves in that avenue. So many people end up taking out their piercing.
How many people do you know that keep their barbells in? Piercing isn't like a tattoo-you can take it out, it generally doesn't leave a scar. But piercings are expensive and you should carefully consider why you're getting it. For the first month, your piercing (except for most ear piercings) are not going to LOOK attractive. They're going to scab, ooze strange things, be swollen, sore, and painful to touch. Just keep that in mind...
Moral of the story: Find somebody, SOMEWHERE, that has had the same piercing BY the same artist. They should have a book. I know a lot of places do. I also know the vast majority of the population will not be heading to Montana for a piercing anytime soon. There are some places in Montana that I would recommend, and if you're in the area or planning to be, throw me a line and I can give you some great recommendations. Otherwise, consider what's around you. I think finding a good place takes investigative work and a bit of digging. There are some places that are in seedy locations but have turned out to be absolutely phenomenal. Not everybody can afford the best place. Talent can be found ANYWHERE, if you just know where to look.
I now live in Orlando FL and have found a lot of great places...Chrome Lotus on Colonial Drive near UCF is a great place.
Everybody stay safe and enjoy your experiences!