TONGUE PIERCING GUIDE
The procedure, materials, what to expect.
ORIGIN OF TONGUE PIERCING
The history of tongue piercing goes back to the Mayans and Aztecs. It was considered an offering to their Gods (bloodletting during rituals). It can also be traced in the Far East, specifically in the Asian Spirit Mediums. In modern times it has no cultural significance and it is done purely for aesthetically pleasing reasons.
INTRO
The tongue has a significant number of muscles and veins, therefore it is a very complicated part of our body. Especially during the initial phase of the healing period, getting it pierced is a big commitment. Below we will go through the full procedure so you know exactly what to expect!
VISUAL INSPECTION
The first and most significant part of the process is to examine the anatomy of the tongue. We pay attention to the veins that are located on the underside of the surface. For a lot of people, it’s impossible to pierce the area without going through the arteries, thus not a safe option. Also, it’s not possible to pierce very short tongues especially if they can’t stick out far enough.
MARKING THE AREA
The mouth must be thoroughly cleaned, by brushing your teeth, flossing, and gargling with mouth wash. If you haven’t done this before your appointment, you can do it at the shop. Measuring with a vernier caliper and marking the area is the next step. The location of the piercing is very important, as it shouldn’t be too deep or very close to the teeth. Check it out in the mirror to make sure it will be in the ideal position.
Jewelry
For a safe experience, it’s good that you do understand the materials used for this purpose. Allergic reactions to jewelry, especially the ones with chrome coating, are common. Therefore for all body piercings, including the tongue, we only use titanium. You can replace the jewelry (with other metals, diamonds, etc) when your tongue piercing has fully healed.
PIERCING
The tongue will be clamped with forceps and pierced (with a cannula needle) from the bottom to the top. The initial barbell must be significantly big so it won’t apply pressure when the tongue gets swollen during the following days. Pain and difficulty during eating and drinking are expected for the first days. You need to strictly follow the aftercare instructions as this piercing has a very high risk of infection. Moreover, the human tongue has extreme healing power, therefore it is prone to closing quickly even within a few hours after removing the jewelry.
SHOULD I GET A TONGUE PIERCING?
Considering the anatomy of your tongue allows us to perform this procedure, this is a question that only you can answer. How dedicated are you? The tongue is a sensory organ and you will experience a moderate amount of pain. Having said that a lot of people say it’s not as bad as they expected.
DO NOT USE FAKE, MAGNET TONGUE PIERCINGS
Do not follow the trend of using tiny magnets to fake a tongue piercing as they were considered ‘deadly’ by The Guardian. People keep swallowing them and the magnetic force of the metal balls affects the intestines. Consequently, cutting the blood flow creates serious and fatal complications.
