I got my tongue pierced on June 1st. Only four days after my 18th birthday. I had been wanting a piercing since my younger teenage years. I figured I would give myself a little birthday present since I was turning legal. I really always wanted my naval done, and when I was even younger [third grade perhaps] I used to go to school && walk around my house with a giant ball bearing on my tongue, pretending as if i had it pierced. I wasn't quite sure which one I would rather have pierced. I started researching and find that tongue piercings take 4-6 weeks to heal, as to navels 6-9 months. There were a few more reasons why the tongue piercing out weighed the naval. So i decided to go with the tongue because it also had more benefits, it was less painful, and took way less time to heal.
At A Glance Author brittanyy When A week ago Artist Jen Studio Revival Tattoo Location Davenport, FL I then began to really want the tongue piercing. I asked my boyfriend what he would think of me getting it done, and he was okay with it. I looked online for tattoo/piercing shops. I wasn't really comfortable going to the mall, or even a strip mall, or some hole in the wall downtown somewhere. I think it was because I had never been inside one before, and the thought of it just made me extremely nervous. I really didn't want some 21 year old douche bag piercing my tongue either. I looked on google and myspace at various places, and finally found one that looked laid back, owned by husband && wife. I read about it seeing the wife had 10+ years experience [she was the one doing the piercings]. There were pictures of inside the shop and it looked like an atmosphere I wouldn't feel uncomfortable in.
My boyfriend came over the next day, and we had already talked about going up there the night before. So I ate some mozzarella sticks, and worked up the courage to call. It took me a minute [seeing how I don't even like ordering pizza]. I called and to my surprise a lady answered the phone [2 ladies work there, so i wasn't sure if it was her or not]. I asked how much a tongue piercing costs && if there was someone there to do it today. she replied 35$, and she would be there until 9pm. I thought that was cheap enough, I had expected at least 45-55$. I didn't call anywhere else because I pretty much had my mind set on that particular place, plus the lady was extremely nice && friendly on the phone which made me feel even better about getting it done.
I sat around for about an hour. Made some jello. Then decided we would go. On the way there [the shop was about 15 miles away] I experienced butterflies a few times on the way there. We got there pulled in the parking lot, and my boyfriend wanted to smoke a cigarette. So him && I are standing there talking and he is smoking his cigarette, then my piercer comes out the door. She lit up a cigarette. I told her we had come to see her today, and she asked what I was having done. I told her I had called earlier about the tongue piercing. She wanted to see my tongue, I stuck it out and she looked at it and said "perfect!". I wasn't exactly sure if I could get it done or not since I have a long webbing. So that made me happy. She put her cigarette out and told us to come on up the stairs.
I filled out some basic info about myself gave her my i.d., while she set up. She photocopied my i.d., and came back and explained what jewelry she would be using && I payed my 35$. She gave me a receipt and her business card. Told me to come on back.
I got in the room sat my things down. There were 2 medicine cups of mouthwash waiting on me. She told me to rinse with mouthwash for 60 seconds, and started explaining the procedure with me. I just kept gargling the mouthwash til she told me to spit it out b/c I had lost count of seconds while she was trying to explain everything. I sat in the bright sparkly pink chair. She told me she had one rule "not to jerk back". I told her I wouldn't && the only thing I was worried about is putting my tongue back in my mouth while the needle was still in. She said "fight it, just don't do it, you'll be okay". I put on my "bib" and she proceeded to dry my tongue. I didn't think it felt weird. She then put the forceps on. That didn't feel bad whatsoever [like some people say]. She put the needle through and I didn't even know it. The only thing that hurt any at all was putting the jewelry in. Once she put the last ball on and I put it back in my mouth the sensation I got from it was sort of a mild burning, like if you eat pizza straight out of the oven. I didn't drool! I rinsed with mouthwash, again. She asked if I would like something to drink. I wanted something cold, I told her ice water. She brought me some bottled water and I sat there for a few minutes drinking it. She asked if I had any questions, and I couldn't think of any. I gave her her tip && asked her if she thought it was okay for me to be leaving and she said yes. She told me to call if I have any questions.
The best tip I can give you is RELAX YOURSELF. I thought I was going to be way more nervous. I just relaxed myself, any time I would get nervous I would just tell myself RELAX. If you tense up it hurts a lot worse, from what I've read online. My piercer also mentioned this as well.
day1;
I left there and got some ICE water. I came home and let the ice melt on my tongue [she advised me NOT to suck on it, just let it sit there]. I took some ibuprofen, && watched a movie. I didn't eat anything til around 10:30 that night, I had some of the jello I made. It was weird to eat, but not uncomfortable. Just different. Drank lots of ice water.
day2;
I woke up, and to my surprise my tongue wasn't anymore swollen than the day before. It wasn't sore && it wasn't dry. I did follow the advice in sleeping with your head above your heart.I just used 2 extra pillows. [i normally sleep w/ one.] I got up drank some cold water. I took 2 ibuprofen. I made instant oatmeal for breakfast. I was trying to chew it a little bit to get used to the feeling of eating, even though you don't have to chew it at all. For lunch I ate some chicken && stars soup. Between lunch and dinner I had some mozzarella sticks. I cut them with a knife in small enough pieces, && ate them with a fork. I chewed some gum being careful to not let it get near the tongue piercing, to get used to chewing more. Had a chicken sandwich from McDonalds for dinner. Once again cut in small pieces. Again drinking very cold water throughout the day.
day3;
Woke up with swelling almost gone. Took ibuprofen. Had a carnation chocolate flavored breakfast drink [it has protein & vitamins]. I didn't eat anything for lunch, because the ibuprofen made me sleepy. For dinner I ate chicken alfredo, I had to cut up the noodles very good.
All in all this experience wasn't as bad as others seem to make it out to be. Then again everyone is different. I had no pain. Only a slight annoyance if you move your tongue too much. I thought it would be much worse, but its really nothing && worth it. Make sure you rinse with mouthwash after anything you put in your mouth. Try to brush your teeth after you eat real foods [if possible]. Another tip is to try to keep your tongue level in your mouth while trying to eat. This piercing was a piece of cake. :]