Let me start out by saying that I am 18 years old going on 19 in about a month or so, and that I was 16 when I got my tongue pierced.
At A Glance Author Charity Contact Charity@bme.anon When Two years ago Artist Mike Studio Bay City Tattoo Location Erie, PA I had wanted to get my tongue pierced ever since I was 13 years old when I found out that my older (and much cooler cousin) had gotten hers done. Naturally I wanted mine done, and naturally my mom said "no." After that I had basically just forgotten about it since I was only 13 and my mom was pretty stubborn.
I waited about 2 years until I brought it up to her again. Now mind you in that time period she let me get my eyebrow pierced and a tattoo, so I figured it was worth a shot. I came home from school one day and I asked her "since you let me get my eyebrow pierced, and a tattoo, can I get my tongue pierced if I pay for it?" Surprisingly she said "Yes...when you turn 16." I figured since I was gonna be 16 in like 2 months I could wait that much longer. So after 2 months of saving every penny I had received, it was time.
I went to school that morning so impatient and excited. I think that I had announced to the whole school that I was getting it done. The day went by so slow and I grew more impatient by the moment. Finally the last bell rang and I got to go home. By now I was like totally nervous, and *thought* about not going through with it. Then I realized I had waited forever for this and I wasn't going to back down. I mean gosh I had a tattoo and my eyebrow pierced and neither hurt so I figured, what the hell!
My mom took me to Bay City Tattoo that night, at 7:00 after we ate dinner. This place was totally clean and it is where I got my piercing and tattoo done, and my mom had her 3 tattoos done there, so we were very familiar with the place. Mike, my tattoo artist was totally cool, and wanted me to be comfortable, so he told a few jokes. After I relaxed a little he took me to the back room and told my mom she could come too, IF she wanted. I will always remember this, she said "Okay I will come back there, but I'm not looking." I wonder to this day why she wouldn't look, I mean it was my tongue. Anyway, Mike showed me the sanitized needle and clamps. They were wrapped very tightly in new packaging. He made me gargle with the yellow listerine (he said that the green stuff had sugar in it), for 30 seconds. In all honestly that shit burns, and that was probably the most painful part. Then he marked my tongue with a sharpie and had me check it out in the mirror. I got up in the black *dentist chair*, and realized that there was no turning back now. Mike asked me if I was ready and I said yes, so he dried my tongue with a paper towel and clamped it. Then I asked to see the needle, he showed me, and then said 1-2-3, and it was through. He left it in while he grabbed a barbell and then stuck it through, screwed the top ball on and said "Damn, the first girl I had who didn't bleed or drool". Once again he had me rinse with listerine, and check it out in the mirror. I loved it!
When we were finished in the back he took me out front to pay ($50 + $5 tip), and told me the "How to care for your new piercing" directions. I thanked him and was on my way.
The next day at school was quite interesting. I carried a little bottle of listerine with me- the yellow of course. I got some weird looks from the teachers, and it was a little difficult to read out loud in class. I kept lisping(which goes away). My friends were all in envy, and I even inspired one of them to want hers done. Which she got about 3 months after I got mine. So I got to see someone else with the swollen tongue and lisp. Did, I make fun...Hell Yes!
Day #1- Stopped at McDonald's for a nice Chocolate Milkshake. Felt good on the already swollen, tender tongue.
Day #2- Ouchie...Still swollen and sore from sleeping. Use a lot of ice, and be careful what you eat. I had stuff like pudding, yogart, jello, and mashed potatoes.
Week#1- Starting to be a normal tongue again, and I could eat!
Week#2- Good as new.
2 years later haha! And I still love it. It's the best thing I have ever done (well maybe...)
If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me. I now have 2 piercings, and 4 tattoos.