I had been toying with the idea of getting a tongue pierced since I was 13yrs old and had been told by my parents that I had to wait until my 18th birthday to even consider it. Having seen an old friend with one it interested me even more.
At A Glance Author Megan-Jade Contact Megan-Jade@bme.anon When Three months ago Studio Hairhouse Warehouse Location Colonnades shopping centre, SA Having been a lover of piercings since I was eight, (watching my mother get her belly pierced and her also having more than six earrings in each ear didn't help a whole bunch!) I thought I would explode with anticipation. I filled the time by getting my own belly pierced, my ears and tattoos all at the age of 17.
Then came my 18th birthday. My waiting had come to a close and I had saved up the $35 that it would cost to get my tongue done. I had researched the whole piercing process a million times on the internet to understand exactly what I was getting myself into, (which I plead you to do! Do not go into this unprepared, read up on all the risks and complications that can occur.) And headed into the studio with my supportive, piercing hating boyfriend.
I headed up to the counter, where they all seem to know me on a name basis now, asked for a tongue piercing. After filling out forms that I had signed many times before, explaining that I was over 16 and showed my ID, I was taken to the "piercing chair" and was told to sit down. My piercer, a lovely girl whom I had never met before and whose name I don't remember, (Sorry!) talked me through the whole process and made me feel comfortable. I couldn't stop shaking because I am dead scared of needles but my boyfriend held my hand and said it was going to be fine. She got out a little pair of forceps, with holes in them, and put it on my tongue. My boyfriend was dead pale and the lovely girl went and got him some water. She then proceeded put the forceps back into place and then put some pressure on them. This honestly did not hurt at all. She got the needle and quickly pushed it through my tongue. It felt a little odd but did not hurt at all. But boy did my nose and eyes run! The only pain I felt was when the actual jewelry was put in. I winced slightly, my boyfriend nearly fainted (the poor dear) and it was all over! My piercer explained the aftercare process and gave me some tips of how to look after it. She told me to use Listerine but I was told sea-salt was better (which it was for me) and used that three times a day or after everything I ate and drank that wasn't water.
I paid my $35 and went home to show my Mum. First thing she said was "Nice lisp." And "Looks nice honey." And then she pretty much forgot about it. My boyfriends Mum told me I was an idiot and that it was a stupid thing to do, but I loved it regardless. The only really bad experience with this was that my grandpa (who is strongly against piercings/tattoos) pretty much ignored me for the first two months and I am really close to him, so that hurt. But all in all the reaction was fine.
The healing process was a killer for me. My body has never reacted overly well to piercings and my tongue swelled up a little more than it should have. I had a tiny lisp and I also couldn't eat for nearly a week rather than the expected 3 days. There were times that I just wanted to take it out because of the pain but I stuck through it and I now have had my tongue pierced for 3 months!
I love it! I have no lisp, no pain and just a lovely tongue piercing. I do not regret it and doubt I ever will. My boyfriend (whose quite "straight-laced" and is becoming a cop) loves it! Being the only one in my group of friends with a piercing, it was quite the commodity for a while and they soon got over it when I had my lip and septum done! But if you do get one remember to think about where you work. You can't change over the bar too early into the healing process and they might not like a silver barbell being flashed at them every time you talk. You can get a clear retainer to hide it but if your in close contact with your boss the may notice it and still not like it. Do not kiss for at least 6 weeks. I stupidly did, and it got slightly infected. But if you think that you can look after it properly, hide it well if needed and love it, I think you should definitely consider it!