Although I've always loved piercings,I'd always vowed that a tongue piercing would be something I would never get done. But a few months before I actually decided to, the idea cropped up in my mind and refused to go away.
At A Glance Author Yvette Contact babelicious_butterfly@hotmail.com When Three months ago Studio G Mantella Location London, England I went in to the piercing place that I've had all my piercings done (except my first lobe holes which were in Claire's accessories... never again!) and must have been in about 3 times quizzing him about the procedure and the pain before I actually decided to get it done.
I was a bit nervous because my first lobes got infected, I blame claire's accessories, since my other two have been completely fine. And my navel is still prone to infection and has a small red lump that refuses to go away, two and a half years after it was done. But I'd heard that tongue was a pretty good one infection wise, since there is so much saliva in your mouth which kills all the bacteria and stuff, so I figured I should just go for it!
My ex boyfriend already had it done so I quizzed him about it lots too, and learnt that I wouldn't be able to eat solid foods for about a week, and that my tongue would swell up and I would have difficulty speaking without lisping for a few days.... yay!
So on to the actual piercing.... I went in summer with 3 friends, one of whom was getting a second hole in her lobe. My piercer (whose name I still don't know!) told me that I would have a long bar put in first to allow for swelling, (£35) and then after a week I could go and get it replaced with a shorter one (£15) he took me upstairs to the piercing clinic and told me to sit down. He said he didn't use clamps because they hurt and were unnecessary, so I stuck my tongue out and he put a little dot on and asked if that was ok. It was, so I sat back and waited for the piercing. I sat there with my tongue out and saw him approach me with a needle, which looked like it was attached to a screwdriver. I quickly clamped my eyes shut and refused to open them until it was over. He pierced from the bottom through to the top which I wasn't expecting, but in hindsight, makes sense so he could avoid the veins. I'm not gonna lie, it hurt like hell, and I felt dizzy for about 10mins after.but after the initial pain, I had no problems with it at all. It took a little over a week for the swelling to completely go down, and for the first 3 or 4 days, I couldn't eat anything solid! so I lived on ice water sipped through a straw for that time.
It healed really quickly, and was totally okay within a month. but for the first few weeks you're not meant to smoke, drink excessive alcohol or kiss. I managed to break all 3 of these rules, and mine is completely fine. Not that I reccommend it, just in case!! Oh yea, and they reccommend no oral sex either.
As for parental consent.... I knew they wouldn't approve so I didn't tell them I was going to get it done, I told my younger brother who thought I should just go for it. My piercing place only does 16 and over, not that they checked when I got my navel done (I was 15) and since he'd seen me so many times before, there was no problem with that.I knew the piercer and felt totally safe in his hands, but was still terrified. I came SO close to backing out, and had I not been with my friends, I probably would have done! But I was put somewhat at ease by the fact that he says he does tongue piercings all the time, and that his piercing clinic has framed certificates all over the walls along with newspaper clippings about him. I was WAY to nervous to read any of these but they kept my friends entertained while I was having a needle poked through my tongue! I would say go with a friend, because you NEED someone's hand to squeeze when that needle goes in, because it really does hurt.
I would say it was my favourite piercing. (I've got navel and 3 holes in each ear) and I am probably going to get my helix done tomorrow.
Overall I would really reccommend it because it's a gorgeous piercing, especially if you catch a glimpse of it when someone's talking or laughing, and the look of the piercing definitely outweighs the pain. And after a while, you really don't notice it in your mouth anymore. Although I have lots of different bars, I tend to stick to the plain silver coloured metal ball, because it's most comfortable. And contrary to what a lot of people say, I've never had any chipping of my teeth or anything.