Just as an FYI, this IS a DIY story. If you're against it (which I can completely see where you're coming from... it's a risky thing to do and can cause nasty infections and everything of the sort if done incorrectly) I'd rather you NOT continue past this point to prevent further angering yourself at the stupidity of a high school girl.
At A Glance Author Iris Contact Iris@bme.anon When A week ago Artist Moi =X Studio My desk Location John's Creek, Georgia As some background information, I've pierced my tongue web previously, during the summer. It went pretty okay for a week, because munching on ice cubes in the summer was nothing out of the norm for me and it helped make my tongue web stop feeling so sore. However, I was unfortunate enough to have chewed a piece of gum too closely to my mother; who immediately spotted the jewelry and demanded it to be removed. Reluctantly, I did as she said.
Last Wednesday, I started to miss it again. So, stupid me, I decided to do it. Yet again. With the same temerity as I did before.
My tools were a safety pin, and an eraser. Smart? Quite the opposite. I did nothing to disinfect my "tools" (as "sterilizing" requires an autoclave), and I did it right in front of my computer on my desk; which I also didn't bother to wipe down. Silly me.
If you haven't noticed yet, the tongue web is pretty much a thin piece of tissue. It doesn't really take much effort to pierce, but fitting your hands into your mouth is a talent that not many possess (myself included). Anyways.
I suctioned my tongue to the roof of my mouth (like if you were to make a clicking noise), and pushed the tip of the safety pin through. No bleeding, but it did hurt a considerable amount due to the elasticity of the frenulum. And the drooling; don't even get me started on that. It was like some sort of freak faucet. Anyways, after much straining, I managed to pop the rest of the safety pin through. I clasped it shut and waited for a few minutes for my tongue to get used to it.
Bad idea.
First off, I realized that it was crooked. I'm completely OCD about some things, and I couldn't stand seeing the fruits of my effort go to waste. I immediately pulled out the safety pin and shoved it through yet again; this time making a straighter path through the tongue web. By this time, my poor tongue web was very swollen, and I immediately put my 18g ring through. It was hard enough doing that; I didn't want to risk complete tongue trauma by attempting to stretch it.
The first week was difficult in terms of eating, but it wasn't too bad. The main thing was the fact that I have a ring in, so particles of food would constantly get caught in it and it would prove difficult to fish back out. Cold foods/drinks DO help, but when ice gets caught on the ring, it felt pretty awful. It felt like frozen fire burning through my tongue!
Anyways, it's been almost exactly one week, and I can't say that my tongue web has given me trouble thus far. Sure, it's been a challenge to hide it from my mother (who threatened disownment last time), but my mother has the eyes of an eagle. I've experimented with talking to friends, and none of them have been able to tell until I lifted my tongue.
If you're worried about the reactions, they range from "Oh my god, that's disgusting!" to "I can't believe you. That's so cool!" to "You've got balls, dude." That last one was slightly strange to hear, seeing as I'm a female, but whatever. Feedback is feedback, right? Right.
So, a status report:
I've been using a sea salt solution to rise, mixing 1/4 tsp sea salt with 8 ounces of distilled water. I considered using mouthwash, but I noticed that I don't have non-alcoholic mouthwash (which is important, because alcohol will kill developing cells and greatly delay the healing process).
The swelling has yet to go down, however. And it's slightly worrying me. Last time, I only had it for about a week too (and it was just as swollen). I think it's called hypertrophic scar tissue or something? If anyone could be so kind as to tell me if they've had this problem with their web piercing (and when it'll go away!), it'd be greatly appreciated. :)
I don't regret this piercing at all; I feel like it's more personal than any other noticeable piercing. So if you want it-- go for it! Just be safer than I was (but in retrospect, almost anything would have been safer than what I did). Questions, comments? I check my email daily, so if you want to contact me, I'll be sure to reply!
Happy piercing!