Lately I have become more and more interested in body mod. Watching my younger sister pierce herself again and again in conjunction with going to a studio for more risky ones, like her venoms and lip, has helped fuel this. Piercing herself was never a good idea and she knew it so that is why she left all surface piercings, ones close together and ones near major veins up to the professionals. I have always been interested in and admired people who were courageous enough to brave the pain, the risks, and judgments from closed minds.
At A Glance Author Erica Contact itstricky55@yahoo.com When A month ago Artist Heather Studio Miraculous Creations Location Worcester, MA My younger sister was the one who got me to pierce my tongue in the first place. Neither of us had any problems with that one, but the boyfriend didn't like it so I let it heal up, but that is another story for BME. After time went on I started missing it, it reminded me that I am a strong person and can overcome anything including a sharp piece of metal puncturing my tongue. Why should I let something like a boyfriend keep me from doing something I really wanted? A piercing is removable anyways, so if he still is not a fan I can take it out for a bit for him.
A month ago I finally made the appointment with my favorite piercer, Heather, at my favorite studio, Miraculous Creations (they are always so professional, clean, straight forward, and highly recommended) to get my tongue repierced. Heather pierced my belly button 4 years ago as well. Other places I've checked out were dark and kind of sketchy and the staff seemed like they wanted to get you in and out. Any kind of body mod should not be treated like a speedy checkout or a drive through.
Even though I had gone through the procedure before I was so scared something might go wrong. When my friend, Dennis and I arrived we were late so we had to wait 40 minutes for another opening. We talked to the receptionist, looked through tattoo magazines and checked out the jewelry selection.
Heather invited us back to the piercing room. She showed us the autoclave, gloved up, and took out the package of sterilized tools. She had one of my favorite cds playing so we chatted about the band and other music interests which defiantly helped to ease the tension. Then she talked about the exactly what was going to happen and how. She was unaware I've had it done before so when I told her she laughed and asked why I looked so nervous. She advised to me to avoid acidic foods, no beer or wine, and no smoking for the entire healing period.
Then the time came for me to mouthwash and for her to mark me. At this point I was shaking so bad if you gave me a glass of milk I would have made you the foamiest milkshake you've ever seen. I was making it out to be worse than it was. She asked me to take 3 deep breaths and on the third exhale she put the needle through. The only sensations I was aware of were the clamp and how dry my tongue was.
I was light headed and still shaking afterwards so I had a drink of water and tried to relax. After my heart rate was back to normal I got up and looked at my newest piercing. I loved it and felt like I had never taken it out! She told me about the aftercare and asked me to come back the next week to have the jewelry changed and to see how it was doing. I tipped her, thanked her, and was on my way.
It only swelled a little bit the day I did it and there was no pain associated with it. I think that was connected to the placement. I asked to have it in the same place as before so there was scar tissue already there. Afterwards the barbell hurt because it was too big and when I talked it knocked against my teeth which looked and sounded silly.
I was really careful about the aftercare. When I got up, every time after I ate, and before bed I used the alcohol free mouthwash that was included in my little goodie bag of information on jewelry care, aftercare, and healing.
I went back a week later and Heather said it looked great and replaced the original barbell with one I brought from home that I had left over from the first time I had my tongue pierced. I'm so happy with my new piercing. I have big plans for the rest of my body and my tongue as well. The only thing I do regret is taking my tongue ring out the first time. My advice to anyone looking to get any piercing or tattoo or anything at all, do it because YOU want to and do not let anyone else keep you from it.