I'd wanted a tongue piercing for around 4 years, and mum finally said I could get it done because she'd decided it wasn't a phase. She said I could get it done in 6 months, but I begged and she said I could get it done the next week!!!!
At A Glance Author Emma Contact Emma@bme.anon When Three months ago Studio Acid Gear Location brisbane, Australia So I called, made an appointment, etc, and went in on Wednesday to get it done. They didn't ask for ID, which I thought was odd and mum (who was with me) was rather pissed at. It cost $60.
The piercer was a registered nurse blah blah blah, but the place didn't look too clean and was rather shabby. I signed the paperwork and went thru after listening to the aftercare instructions. She sat me down, put on gloves, opened the needle and barbell and set up the ink and toothpick for marking, and the numbing gel, explaining what it all was. Then she left and the actual piercer came in. She basically ignored me and I got tense after the nice first lady. I asked for it as far back as I could get it and she said ok, 2cm. I rinsed my moth with water. She put gloves on and asked me to stick out my tongue as far as I could (my tongue is long and wide and kinda thick). She marked, showed me the marking, I said cool, she clamped (which was more uncomfortable then anything), remarked (and changed it so it was closer to the edge, without telling me) and then said 'relax' and pushed it through. I felt it rip slightly as it came through the top and it hurt but it was over and all was well. She inserted the 20mm barbell and screwed the top on, I rinsed my mouth and it was bleeding. So I kept rinsing, as she told me to, and it didn't stop so she got me cold water, I drank it (it felt so good- fully recommended cold water after piercing) and it slowed. Mum and I left after more aftercare instructions and a handout and a time for me to go for a check-up.
After almost 3 weeks I got it changed to a 17mm barbell for $10 cos 20mm was too long, and then a week later changed it myself to a 15mm bar. EBay is really good for barbells; I've brought a few and am really happy with them; great quality and selection. And besides, $19 for a barbell you can get on EBay for $8 including postage is ridiculous.
I didn't get any bad vibes from the place, and it's always fairly busy, so I was pretty confident in getting it done there. It's actually 15mm from the tip and I'm kinda pissed about that, and it's slightly crooked, but that's ok cos I'm never going back there.
I got a Slurpee from the 7-11 afterwards and the ice got stuck around the bar. It felt so odd. Mum and I went shopping, and then I felt a bit queasy so we left. I couldn't stop looking at it. I was eating the next day (French fries and chicken nuggets are the best- you can put the fries right at the back and chew without using your tongue, and tear nuggets up into little pieces to eat) but didn't talk much and drank litres of cold water. I added some cucumber slices and it calmed it down a lot more and it didn't hurt too much. It swelled to each ball and ached. I slept well, but slept kinda sitting up on pillows to reduce the swelling.
I called in sick to work cos I still felt a little queasy. But I would never have not got it done- I love it and my mouth finally feels complete. I did get suspended from school for two days after they noticed, but went back after I got a clear retainer.
I cleaned it with Oral B mouthwash and salt water and it did get a pus-coloured ring around the bar on the bottom of my tongue but I cleaned it every second day by brushing gently with sensitive toothpaste and a soft brush. And you really need to brush twice a day and not play with it too much or it aches for a few hours. The feeling inside the hole reminds me of sealed meat, like it's got a coating so the soft inside doesn't go everywhere. I fully recommended this piercing to anyone, it doesn't hurt too badly and as long as you rinse 5 times a day and brush twice a day, you can't really get it infected. And Advil worked to get rid of the discomfort better then Panadol. And eat lots of cold, mushy food like ice-cream and jelly.
I'm addicted to piercing now and am going to get both snugs and a tragus done this Wednesday!