So, about 2 years ago, when I was 12, I got introduced to the body modification world. I absolutely adore piercings and I am the proud owner of 10: 6 on my left ear, 3 on my right ear and my tongue web. All but my first lobe piercings ( now stretched to a 4ga ) were done by myself with medical needles that I got at a pharmacy for 10 cents each.
At A Glance Author Britt Contact brittcoello@hotmail.com When Six months ago Artist me Studio my bathroom Location Tenerife, Spain I know self piercing is not nearly as safe as piercing at a proper place, but I'm confident that I know what I'm doing and the piercings have a more sentimental value to me if I do them myself. Apart from this, my parents are extremely strict and didn't let me get more than two studs in each ear, but I got more anyway. Rebellious me.
Anyways, it was about a year and a half ago that I discovered the tongue web piercing. Although I didn't want one at the time, I was strangely attracted to the uniqueness of it. I love unique and different piercings because they can make people who they are. I had never seen anyone else with a tongue web piercing before, so it wasn't long before I wanted one for myself.
Although I did find a huge safety pin and bought a 16ga curved barbell with pink spikes, I never did get to piercing my web until about 5 months ago, because I was scared, I guess.
By this time, I had pierced my ears 7 times myself and I had a large stash of medical needles and piercing jewelery in my room just in case I needed it... I was browsing through BME one day and re-discovered the tongue web piercing... and I remember that I had wanted one. So I go to work right away. I got my supplies (18ga needle, 16ga curved barbell, safety pin to use as a taper from 18ga to 16ga) and went to the bathroom. I cleaned the counter, took the needle out of its package and got to work. I didn't mark where I was going to pierce it, but I didn't think I needed to. I made sure there weren't any major veins in the area and started pushing through the skin. I got it through most of the way with minimal pain, i just felt a tiny pinch when it first touched the skin. But the last layer of skin was a little harder to get through and my skin made a sort of tent effect before it popped through. It hurt just a little. I left the needle in for a few minutes while I calmed myself down. I was shaking like crazy. The adrenaline, I guess. So I started sliding out the needle, which burned like crazy, I don't know why. So then I tried putting in the barbell, but it just wouldn't go, no matter how hard I pushed. My tongue web was bleeding a little by now. So instead, i pushed the safety pin in, acting as a taper, stretching the hole to about 14ga. I closed the safety pin and left it in for 10 minutes or so. It was a little bit hard to get the safety pin back open, but I managed. I slid it out, making it hurt like hell again and put in the barbell. It went through as smooth as butter. No pain, either.
Next came the hard part: getting the ball on the barbell. I swear, I must have been trying for an hour before I managed to get it on, using 2 pairs of tweezers and shaky hands. Oh well.
As for aftercare, I didn't do much... I just did a few salt water rinses and used mouthwash for the first week. It healed extremely quickly. The only complaint I have is the plaque that tends to build up on it. I need to take it out ever few weeks to clean it. I just soak it in peroxide for half an hour and the plaque comes off easily.
I have to say, having the piercing in feels great and I love playing with it. i love showing it to people and their reactions are really funny. Most people are disgusted about it and think I' crazy. I really can't imagine not having it. Whenever I take it out to clean it or change the jewelery, my mouth feels so empty.
I have recently changed the jewelery to a ptfe circular barbell, which is a little big for my mouth, but I like it anyways.
I love my piercing and never want to take it out. I really hope it won't reject. My parents haven't found out about it, luckily and I don't think they ever will. I recommend this piercing to anyone who wants something different and easy to hide, but I would recommend going to a professional.