I debated getting a tongue piercing on and off for about a year before I finally got it done. I have had other piercings in the past - nose, eyebrow, navel and ears - but I was particularly keen on the tongue. What stopped me from getting it done earlier? My parents reaction, a friends' reaction, and the thought of wrecking my teeth (a thought conveniently planted in my head by my parents). What made me bite the bullet and go ahead with it? A sort of turn-around in my life, a need to do something a little different. And, of course, the fact that my parents would be in Italy for 3 weeks. I spent the night before my parents left doing a little (ok, a lot) of reading of readers' experiences on BME. I had never been particularly fussed on the previous piercers I had been to - because none of my friends were really in to body piercings, I didn't have any great recommendations to go off, either. I did a search on piercers in my area, crossed the ones off the list that I'd already been to, and picked the one left on the list that had been recommended by a BME subscriber. ACT Ezy Body Piercing, located at the University of Canberra.
At A Glance Author linz21 Contact linz21@bme.anon When Six months ago Studio ACT Ezy Body Piercing Location Canberra, ACT So the next morning, I was a bundle of nerves. I was fine with that, I kind of like the feeling of anticipation, the butterflies in the stomach. I dropped my parents (who were none-the-wiser to my plans) off at the airport, and when I got back to the car, I got on my mobile and called ACT Ezy Body Piercing. I informed the guy on the phone that I wanted to have my tongue pierced, asked about the cost (AU$99 for the piercing and jewellry, AU$21 for the downsize), and then asked the most important question...did he have any appointments available today? (When I decide I want something done, I have to have it there and then, I'm not good at waiting). He told me that if I could make it there in 20 minutes, he would be able to fit me in. Otherwise, I'd have to wait about 3 days to have it done. I told him I'd be there. I was also informed that I must have something to eat before coming in, as I hadn't eaten breakfast. I stopped quickly at a servo, gagged down a sandwich and raced out to UC (University of Canberra). I arrived JUST on time, though luck wasn't on my side. I couldn't find a car park. I figured I wouldn't be long, and parked in a "deliveries only" spot.
Once I arrived at the studio, I had to fill out the usual forms, and the guy asked to look at my tongue. When I lifted my tongue, he just went "hmmm", then went on to explain that on the top of my tongue, the piercing would be in the centre, but underneath, it would be a little to the left, as I have quite a long franula. I was fine with this, and he explained that he just didn't want me thinking afterwards that he'd made a mistake. I must add in here that this piercer was by FAR the best, and most professional I have ever come across. He absolutely loves his job. He then showed me all of the equipment he was going to use, all coming straight out of sealed plastic bags, which each have a number on them. I then had to sign a book, next to the number of the bag my needle had come out of.
I then had to use absorbent paper to remove as much moisture as possible from my mouth. I have now come to think that when you are nervous, you salivate much more than usual. When my tongue was sufficiently dry, he marked the entry and exit spots on my tongue (the dye was put on a matchstick, a pen wasn't used - another very hygenic aspect), and asked me to look in the mirror and tell me if I was happy with them. Indeed I was...Oh, my god, this was really happening!
I sat on the edge of the bench and he clamped my tongue, pulled it out a little. All the while, he was explaining everything he was doing. He told me to breathe in, then as I breathed out, he would insert the needle, from bottom to top. I closed my eyes and took those fateful breaths. I am not kidding when I say that from the time he put on the clamp, pierced my tongue and inserted and fastened the barbell took no longer than 8 seconds. A true professional! I then had to lay down for a minute or two before getting up to pay. He went over the after-care instructions (no smoking unless absolutely necessary, no alcohol, no chilli, etc) and I walked out a newly pierced woman! I returned to my car, only to discover a parking ticket under the windscreen wipers. Oh, well...nothing could deflate my mood!
To this day, my tongue piercing is by far my favourite. I spent six hours with my parents after they got back from Italy before finally working up the courage to show my mum. Her reaction was more sedate than I expected...basically "it's your body, you are 20 years old...what can I say?"
My urge for piercings has been satisfied until recently...I am now in the market for something new, and am looking forward to pulling some inspiration from the experiences of other BME subscribers.
OH! And P.S...I have recently had a check-up with my dentist, and he says my teeth are in perfect condition!