Before I begin, let us first go over the disclaimer. I am in no way, shape or form even relatively close to a professional when it comes to piercing. Although my attempts were somewhat successful (for a short period of time), it may not turn out the same way for you. You could seriously injure yourself by doing piercings yourself. If you're interested in getting your web pierced, then by all means, go for it. But go to a professional and definitely do not use this as a 'DIY How-To'. On with the show ..
At A Glance Author carrie Contact carrie@bme.anon When A week ago Artist Myself. Studio My room. Alright, I've done it again.
If you have read my previous DIY web attempt, you'll know that I have done such a stupid thing as to pierce my own web before. I took it out the same day I pierced it, sadly. My first attempt failed miserably, it did.
So one of these lonely boring days, I was just sitting at the computer and thinking and my retired tongue web piercing crossed my mind. I thought about how awesome it was and how much I wish I had it back. So after very little though, I came to the conclusion that I would re-pierce my web in just a few days time.
So I went out and bought a lovely 14g horseshoe barbell a few days later. It was pretty long, I figured it would be too big, and it would knock against my teeth, but 'oh well' I thought.
Later on when got home, I pulled out the sewing needle I had used to pierce my web months before, and I put it in boiling water for ten minutes. I did the same with the barbell. I know that doesn't sterilize too well, but it's better then piercing with a needle I just pulled out of my pencil drawer.
Then, I was ready to pierce. I tried and tried to shove the needle through my web but it just would not go through! All I got was a little scratch and it started to bleed a bit. I was about to give up, but I thought I'd give it one more go. Surprisingly, I actually got it through my web. Then I thought 'oh s**t, this is going to be the hard part. putting on the barbell!'. Well, I was wrong. The horseshoe barbell was a snap, and the ball screwed on much easier then the time I had pierced my web before (I had used a very small, slightly curved barbell. Probably made for an eyebrow piercing). It was pretty swollen, of course, but I knew that had happened before, so I wasn't concerned.
As opposed to my previous DIY web piercing, I experienced very little pain afterwards. But it was still quite swollen.
I showed alot of people, and most people were quite disgusted. I can't possibly think why, it's a lovely piercing. Actually, their reactions inspired me to keep it in. Except for my parents of course. Because the barbell was so long, it showed when I talked, so I had to really concentrate on hiding it from my parents, and in the process, ended up talking really funny.
After a few days, I noticed the swelling had not gone down, and I was beginning to get white-ish buildup on the tissue around the piercing, NOT on the barbell. I rinsed with mouthwash everyday, but it didn't seem to have any effect. Also, I was correct about the length of the barbell. It knocked against my teeth alot, and it kind of got annoying after a while.
One night, I decided to just take it out before I got too attached to it (yes, I get attached to piercings). So I removed it and went to bed. When I woke up the next morning, I rejoiced when I saw it hadn't grown over. I happily reinserted the barbell and continued on my merry way.
Days later, I noticed that it had gotten a bit worse. And the weird white-ish stuff just kept building up. So, it was a sad choice for me, but after much thought and a couple of pictures, I decided to take my tongue web piercing out once and for all.
I do miss it, it was a very cool piercing to have. Now, all that remains of my lovely web piercing is a small shrine on my nexopia blog and two large white dots on either side of my web to mark my foolishness. RIP web ( L )
If you are thinking of getting a web piercing, I would say go for it. If you take care of them, and basically just do what you're supposed to do, they are just the coolest things ever. But I don't encourage DIY piercings. I know I do them myself, but c'mon, I shaved my own eyebrows off, don't be taking advice from me, okay?
Happy piercing.