I have wanted to get venom tongue piercings for a while now. I had my tongue checked out last year for veins etc. but this week (due to it being reading week at uni) I decided to go for it.
At A Glance Author Claire Contact butterflyfairy_2k@hotmail.com When It just happened Artist leon Studio The studio Location Afflecks palace, Manchester, UK Firstly I read up on the piercing and realised it wasn't going to be the most enjoyable piercing in terms of aftercare and pain. Also venoms are a piercing you cannot take lightly. There can be complications if done incorrectly and you have to ensure you go to a reputable piercing studio.So off I went to the studio that has done 90% of my piercings in the past...the studio in Afflecks palace, Manchester.
I trust the guy there (leon)a lot. He examined my tongue before anything and cleared up any issues I had. He admitted to me he thought one side of my tongue was not suitable enough due to a prominent vein and recommended I go to another place called holier than thou for a second opinion as the guy there had more experience with venoms (and had venoms himself).
Off I went, and the guy there was very friendly. He explained that he thought they were do-able but would be closer together due to the veins. He also explained that they could be put far apart but that the risk of tooth damage is too great and he wasn't happy to risk that. I then went to another studio and they suggested that I had them pierced in a V shape so that the underneath would be touching but the surface balls would be further apart. I saw a girl who had them like this and they looked awesome.
I went back to Leon and explained what the others had said and he was happy to do them in a V shape. We agreed on a price of £40 and headed to check my tongue again to get the right placement (always make sure the piercer checks your tongue thoroughly).
The numbing solution went on for a good 5 minutes, my tongue and lips went completely dead! Leon then took me through the procedure and aftercare and began marking me up and again, checking that they were in the right place. Once confident, he got out sterilised needles from packets and put on some gloves (very important to check this is done!). My tongue was then dried and clamped. The clamp wasn't uncomfortable at all. I then took a deep breath in and on the exhale he pushed the needle through. A strange sensation to say the least but not very painful. After checking I was ok and changing gloves and needles Leon began to prepare to pierce the second side without a breather (not that I minded but if you want a rest do indicate!). He said he wanted to get the piercing done whilst my tongue was still out of my mouth as it was safer that way.
The second needle only hurt as much as the first one, true it did hurt more than any other of my piercings or tattoos but I was sure it was worth it. I did dribble a little as well! Afterwards I was given a written aftercare sheet and went on my way, happy I had just got the best piercing ever!
I bought some anti bacterial mouthwash and nurofen + (which have become my best friends) and headed home. I was prepared for the pain after reading up on other peoples experiences but MY GOD it does hurt quite a lot! Straight afterwards it was fine but the day after is when you get the real pain and swelling.
I went out the same night and drank (probably shouldn't have but Leon assured me it wouldn't do any damage) and my tongue started bleeding in the club! Bleeding is expected in the initial healing period so I wasn't too worried. I just applied pressure and the bleeding stopped. The next day was pain,even eating soup was difficult and painful. I followed a strict aftercare procedure though of swilling twice a day with the anti bacterial mouthwash and after every 'meal'. Brushing my tongue lightly removed and build up of food bits etc. and sleeping with my head elevated also helped reduce swelling. When the pain got worse, nurofen + was there to help! Also, never wash your hands before you touch your new piercing!
The ball fell off one of the bars when I was lying down which was quite scary and painful to screw back on but I did it! It's now 3 days after I had them pierced and the pain is receding. My tongue is still swollen like a balloon but is starting to go down (I think). It will take a good few weeks to go altogether. I managed to eat an actual meal last night, the balls don't touch my teeth but it still scares me to try and chew at this stage so I just sort of push the food to the back of my tongue then swallow it whole. I have lost my appetite actually but liquid food like soup and yoghurt as well as ice cold water is recommended.
I do speak with a slight lisp at the moment but thats understandable considering I have 2 huge bars and one huge tongue in my mouth! I love my new piercings and can't wait for them to heal properly. I'm going back 2 weeks from the piercing day to get smaller bars put in. To anybody thinking of getting venoms, they are awesome and hardly noticeable when you don't want them to be! e.g. work but they require a lot of care and dedication. Be sure this is what you want!
thank you for reading! Any questions please email!