I decided when tongue piercings became the big 'in' thing a few years ago, that I wouldn't get one. They didn't really interest me that much, and I knew how much of a fidget I was, and how I'd probably just fiddle with it so much I'd chip some teeth or not let it heal properly. And I stuck with this decision until browsing on bmezine a year or so ago, I came across some pictures of viper/venom piercings. They were a little different to your average tongue piercing, and immediately I thought "hey I like how that looks".
At A Glance Author janey Contact janey@bme.anon IAM fantasien When It just happened Artist kiwi guy Studio steel candy Location Perth, Australia They still weren't that much of a priority for me, and since I made the decision to get them done one day, I've had a few other piercings. But when I got my tax return last week, I decided it was time I splurged on another piercing. It was a toss up between vipers and nipple piercings, but I'm not quite ready for sore boobies this week so I went with vipers.
I decided to get pierced at a different studio to normal this time. Partly because I wanted to try another studio and piercer, and partly because I was too lazy to go all the way into the city. I gave Steel Candy a call and asked Adam what I needed to know, how much it would cost and if I needed to do anything before or after, and booked a time. Then he told me that it wouldn't be him piercing me, but another guy who works the shop on Sundays. I was a little disappointed because I have heard a lot of good things about Adam and wanted to see if it was true for myself. I borrowed some $ off my Dad (stupid tax return cheque takes a week to clear!) and asked my boy to come with me, and I was set.
I made sure I had some toast for breakfast and was drinking water, so I wouldn't get faint or pass out like I'm prone to doing. Told my Dad I was buying clothes and got me and Marc dropped off at the markets near the studio. Went inside, about 10 minutes early, and sat on the couch, telling the guy who looked the most supervisory "I'm vipers, 12 o'clock". He said "ok cool" and went out back to get stuff ready.
When he was ready, Marc and I went in and I sat on the table. The guy (I never asked his name and he never asked mine, but he was really nice, and kiwi, thus shall be known as kiwi guy henceforth) explained to me how he'd pierce it, how long it would take, and how it was different to normal tongue piercings. He said I'd have to wear PST (I think that's what he called it), which is like Teflon. It's more flexible than a barbell. This is good while off centre tongues are healing, because they're through thick muscle whilst centre tongue piercings are between muscles. I can get downsized to metal barbells in two weeks, or if I like them longer, keep these.
I watched him as he did all the normal good piercer things, like changing gloves at the right time and setting up all the equipment. He made sure I was relaxed, making small talk about his other job and the piercing scene in NZ. We even talked about fish n chips, and yes, he pronounced it "fush n chups".
After making marks on my tongue and checking that he wouldn't pierce my two large arteries running underneath it, he was ready. He told me to take a deep breath in, and out, and try and dry out my tongue and mouth, basically so I didn't drool everywhere. He put the clamp on and I took another deep breath in, and then out as he pierced. For the first time I actually saw myself getting piercing. I've always had my eyes shut or turned away before, but this time because it was right in front of my eyes, I just stared! It did hurt, but not too bad. More than my lip and ears, but less than vert labret, septum and bellybutton. So pretty average. Once he'd put the PST bars through and screwed the balls on, I was feeling a bit faint so I lay down on the table.
For a while I just chilled there, Marc talking to me and reassuring me, kiwi guy out at the desk serving a customer, and me lying there feeling a little bit of blood in my mouth. After about 5 or 10 minutes, kiwi guy came back and I felt ready to sit up. We went thru the same process again. The second one actually hurt more. I don't know why but it did. But I didn't feel faint or dizzy afterwards, and after checking it out in the mirror and discussing aftercare – no hot spicy stuff for a week, lots of ice water and some nurofen / anti-inflammatory – I was free to go.
At first it didn't swell much at all, and my speech wasn't affected, which I was really happy about. I ate some ice cream and got some cold sugary drink into me, to keep my energy up. But after about an hour or so I had a bit of a speech impediment. Not quite a lisp. But I can notice it, and though Marc says he can't, I know Dad has because I've had to repeat myself! It's a little bit sore, but mostly annoying, remembering that I don't need to swallow every second, and trying not to talk.
I'm please with the result, for sure. They're slightly different – to me the right barbell is further back than the left. But I really don't care. And in two weeks I get some shiny new barbells! Metal in skull count: 6.