Well, I'm not your normal tongue piercing type. I actually used to think it was SOOO gross. I guess my opinion has changed. I decided about three months before the piercing that I would have it done. I wanted a piercing that wasn't extremely visible but that I could show people if I wanted. I figured the tongue was perfect. I will be graduating college soon and realized that after that, I may never be able to get anything like this done because I hope to have a professional career. I have had 4 holes in each ear but that is all. I researched like crazy to make sure I knew everything there was to know about this piercing and aftercare, etc.
At A Glance Author Sarah J. When N/A Studio AAA Tattoos Location Siloam Springs, AR My friend and I decided on a day to go to Arkansas for his tattoo and my tongue piercing because we actually live in Oklahoma where tattoos are illegal. We had an appointment at 11am but didn't get into the room until about 3pm. The wait was horrible because I wasn't nervous until I had to wait 4 hours in the studio to have it done. I was getting hungry so while I waited, I ran to McDonald's and got something to eat, knowing that it may be my last solid meal for a while! The girl before us was getting a tattoo and we saw her in the room crying. My friend almost backed out, but I was determined to have it done. I had waited this long, and had already paid so there was no turning back.
Finally, they called us in to the piercing/tattoo room. They started on my friends tattoo before the piercer was ready for me so he made me hold his hand until they were ready for me. When the piercer was ready, I had to let go of my friends hand and he got worried. The piercer had me rinse with mouthwash for about 30 seconds. I then sat down in the chair, and the piercer unwrapped the tools and needle. He marked my tongue, but didn't ask me if the placement was okay so I looked in the mirror anyway. Afterall, this is a hole in my tongue and it needed to be right. He clamped my tongue and made sure the marks were directly in the center of the clamps. Unlike what most people have said, the clamps were not uncomfortable at all, and I thought to myself that if they really were the worst part, then the rest would be a breeze!
Right before he put the needle through, the power in the building went out. It really scared me because I was afraid that I had gone this far and wouldn't be able to get it done. Just imagine what my friend and the other people being tattooed thought! The power came back on about a minute later. The piercer asked if I was ready and I calmly replied,"Go for it!" He didn't count or even ask me to breath in and out, He just stuck the needle through from top to bottom. Most stories I have read say that the needle goes through from bottom to top but I guess he just does it differently. Before I knew it, it was over and the barbell was in. I can't say it didn't hurt at all. There was just a split second of pain just like any other piercing. He had me rinse with mouthwash again. It was bleeding a bit and saliva and water made it seem like more, but actually it wasnt as much blood as when you bite your tongue. Then I got aftercare instructions and a bottle of mouthwash and I was on my way.
My friend and I went to dinner and I ate soup and mashed potatoes. I really could talk fine. Later that night, my tongue started to swell. The next morning, it was very swollen and sore but I managed to eat pretty normal food and talked suprisingly well. I had told my parents that I wanted to have this done. I am a vocal music student and my mom was so afraid that I wouldnt be able to sing but I told her that was one of the things I had researched and that it wouldn't affect my singing. My dad took me to get a tattoo 3 years ago so he didn't really care if I did it or not. I just reminded them that I am 21 years old and that I'm a good kid. I guess if a piercing is the least of their worries about me, then they are doing pretty well! It has been two days and it is still pretty swollen but not too horribly bad. I cannot wait until I can change the barbell. This really has been a great experience!