A couple years ago I got my first standard tongue piercing, which in the end had to be re-pierced twice as I had taken it out and it had closed up, unintentionally (as all my piercings will do if left out). I knew my anatomy was appropriate for another standard tongue piercing behind my first one, and had been wanting another since I'd gotten the first one, but had never found an appropriate time to get it done. Today I was hanging out in town with a friend, when I realised I had a bit of extra money and no work for a few days (so any possible side effects of swelling wouldn't be a problem with work). My usual piercer only works a couple nights a week as she has a baby at home and her husband works weekdays, but I figured that the piercer at the biggest (and rather reputable - at least for their tattoos) piercing and tattooing studio where I live must be decent. So, I popped in and spoke to the piercer there, she was free and able to pierce me after I'd changed the barbell in my first standard tongue piercing for a longer one, in case of any swelling, although I don't tend to swell very much. What unfolds isn't nearly as professional, if I may, as it should have been.
At A Glance Author Megan Contact Megan@bme.anon IAM Habitual_Neurosis When It just happened Artist Disclosed Studio Disclosed Location Disclosed The piercer takes my money and gives me my change, then tells me to follow her through a pair of curtains into a room near the back of the studio. I drag my friend in the direction of the room, but she tells me that only I am allowed in the room while she pierces me as a lot of people tend to pass out when watching people getting pierced. Okay, no problem, my friend goes and sits down in the lobby. I follow the piercer through the curtains into a rather exposed area and am shown a leather chair in which to sit down on. She passes me a clipboard with the consent form on it, and I scan this then sign and date it. I ask her if she needs to see my ID, and she says no, she knows I'm older than sixteen (the age of which you can get pierced without parental consent in New Zealand) as she remembers me from the few times I've been in to buy jewellery and make general enquiries, and the time that my mom came in with me to talk to one of the tattooists. So, I sit down and we chat for a while as she sets up her equipment on a tray. As a result of this chat, I was quickly lead to believe that I actually know more about piercing than she does (at least in theory), but I don't think much of it as I do know more than most people.
She finishes setting up her equipment and gloves up. She examines my tongue further (she already took a look to make sure my anatomy was suited to another standard tongue piercing when I asked her at the counter) and tells me that she thinks that she'll be able to pierce it without having to take out the jewellery in my first tongue piercing. The thought passes through my mind that this probably isn't the best idea, but I don't say anything because I was probably too busy already talking about something else (tongue splitting, I think. I have split my tongue a small way, but as of now it's mostly regrowth, although you can just notice it if you're examining my tongue). She gets me to stick out my tongue as far as I can and she dries it then marks it up (no rinsing of mouth with mouthwash ><). The marks are quite large, so I assume it'll be pierced through the centre of the mark. I relax my tongue and decide that it probably won't sit comfortably so I ask her to mark it a bit further forward. I tell her this mark is good, and she clamps my tongue after telling me if I feel any pain near the frenulum under my tongue. The clamps don't hurt, but then they never seem to hurt for me. I think that it seems there should be a bit more pressure, but I figure this is fine. She picks up the needle and tells me to focus on my breathing. I keep my eyes open and take a few deep breaths, although my breathing is pretty regular as I'm not nervous or anything. Soon I feel a bit of a prick and then feel the needle travelling upwards through the layers of my tongue. My eyes tear up a bit and I almost immediately feel a rush of endorphins, and am feeling great. The piercer tells me to keep my mouth open and threads the jewellery through the cannulae and pulls that through the piercing. She threads the ball onto the jewellery and tells me I'm set and gives me a mirror. I wanted to ask her why she had failed to change her gloves during the process, but this thought was overcome by the want to see my new piece of metal.
I should have looked at it properly, but I was buzzing from the endorphins and the long bar in the first tongue piercing made it pretty hard to examine the newly pierced tongue piercing properly. I thanked her and went on my merry way, taking with me the aftercare sheet (which was well written with good advice). I had no difficulty talking, and three or four hours later have no problem. Since then I've also eaten, and this has been fine too. However, about an hour ago I took the first good look at it when I changed the bar from the first piercing to a slightly shorter one (it's still pretty long though) I noticed that the newest addition was about three millimetres off centre. The fact that my first piercing was slightly crooked too may have contributed to this, and the swelling may also be factor, but I don't think it's acceptable. I will be keeping the piercing in for a couple weeks to see how I find it, but I may end up taking it out and letting it close over, then get it re-pierced at a later date - by my usual piercer.
I don't exactly regret this experience, although I now hope that if I'm ever in a situation like this again I'll go with my instincts and speak up as soon as I see or hear something that I don't agree with.