With the proper equipment and precautions, getting your own tongue pierced takes just a few minutes of courage and you'll soon be surprising your parents at home. You should be very careful about cleanliness and safety when you have your piercing, taking the time to prepare professional piercing equipment, get your piercing properly done, and take care of your piercing afterwards. Of course it's better if you get your piercing at a certified professional piercing, but if you have to do your own piercing, be prepared. See step 1 for further information.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Piercing Preparation
Step 1. Prepare the necessary equipment for piercing
A set of professional piercing kits contains everything you need for a tongue piercing. To pierce your tongue, it is recommended that you use a size 14 pierced barbell. For a proper piercing, you will need:
- 1 size 14 piercing needle or cannula (hollow needle used for piercing) sterile
- 1 14. steel tongue-pierced barbell
- surgical forceps
- sterile latex surgical gloves
- You should never try to pierce your tongue with anything other than a piercing needle or sterile cannula, and you should never insert anything into the piercing except the pierced barbell.
- Good piercing equipment can sometimes be obtained for less than if you had your tongue pierced at a professional piercer, although that's not always the case. Usually, the cost and effort you put into getting yourself pierced isn't worth the payoff. If there is a professional piercer you trust, you can use their services and the piercing may take less than 20 minutes.
Step 2. Open and sterilize the piercing with alcohol
Be sure to clean anything you will use with medical alcohol. Barbells, forceps, especially piercing needles must be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized.
It should be emphasized again here: never reuse piercing needles and only use special piercing needles if you are going to try to pierce your own tongue
Step 3. Clean the entire mouth
Before attempting any piercing, you should brush your teeth thoroughly and rinse your mouth with a non-alcoholic antibacterial mouthwash.
Step 4. Clean your hands
Wash hands with soap and water, then sterilize with hand sanitizer and wear clean, disposable latex gloves.
Step 5. Anticipate the pain
Although some people who have had a piercing say that a tongue piercing is one of the least painful piercings, and even lighter than if you bit your tongue, the needle will still go through your body. So, of course it's not that easy. Anticipate the pain caused by the needle so you don't stop halfway.
Part 2 of 3: Tongue Piercing
Step 1. Find the large vein under your tongue
Two large veins run through the bottom of the tongue, if one is punctured it will bleed a lot and even be dangerous so you have to be taken to the hospital and get vein treatment. This condition is a possibility that costs a lot and threatens your safety.
Examine the underside of the tongue, locate the veins there, and consider marking safe points between the veins with a small marker
Step 2. Place the forceps clamp at the desired piercing location
The ideal piercing location is in the middle of the back of the tongue, far enough from the main sense of taste and from the veins that are dangerous if punctured.
You should check the piercing site repeatedly so you don't pierce where it will cause bleeding and damage to the blood vessels. Go to the hospital immediately if there is a lot of blood when you get your piercing
Step 3. Pierce your tongue
Insert the needle firmly vertically with a steady enough pressure to penetrate the tongue. Do not remove the needle from the tongue until the rod is inserted into it.
- If you use solid needle, most piercers prefer to pierce from the top of the tongue down.
- If you use a cannula needle, most piercers prefer to pierce from under the tongue up.
Step 4. Insert the piercing rod
Before pulling the needle out and releasing it, push the piercing needle slightly to the side and insert the piercing rod into the hole formed. Keep the piercing rod in position, then remove the piercing needle.
Step 5. Attach the ball to the piercing rod
Secure the balls with the piercing rod, making sure that your piercing is comfortable and that the balls are securely in place.
Step 6. Clean your mouth
Wipe the blood stuck to the tongue and rinse the mouth with mouthwash. Using a mouthwash may feel a little stinging, so it's best to use a non-alcoholic mouthwash that's gentler on the tongue. Most piercing supply stores sell a specific brand of mouthwash recommended for treating piercings, usually Tech 2000 or Biotene.
Part 3 of 3: Caring for Tongue Piercings
Step 1. Use ice and ibuprofen to control the swelling
Usually, your tongue will swell some time after getting pierced. For some people, the swelling that occurs may not be too pronounced, but for some it may be quite severe. To control pain as well as swelling over the next few days, use a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen and suck on ice cubes to help relieve the soreness on the tongue and reduce the swelling.
Many people feel the benefits of sucking on ice cubes immediately after getting pierced. This can help prevent swelling and relieve piercing pain
Step 2. Leave your piercing
You don't have to immediately remove the rod and clean the piercing hole. Your piercing will heal fine if you leave it alone. Focus on keeping your mouth clean, and not bothering the piercing itself. While it may be tempting, don't remove the rod to see how the wound on your tongue heals, try not to change its position. Let your mouth heal on its own.
Step 3. Wash your mouth 2 times a day with mouthwash and 2 times a day with salt water
Use a gentle mouthwash and rinse your mouth regularly to reduce the risk of infection. Use mouthwash and salt water alternately.
Saliva is a powerful antibacterial that can keep the mouth clean. Even so, your mouth is still vulnerable to various risks of infection. So, clean your mouth carefully to avoid the risk of a painful infection
Step 4. Avoid solid food consumption for 24-48 hours
You will find it easier to control your pain and avoid the risk of infection by consuming fruit juices and other foods you can drink for at least the first 2 days. Pay attention to your body, but usually avoiding chewing and getting used to the stick in your mouth for a while before trying solid food is the best option.
Step 5. Avoid smoking and alcohol for at least 2 weeks
As the tongue heals, avoid smoking and alcohol, which can irritate the wound and hinder its recovery. To be safe, avoid using both.
Step 6. Try learning to speak normally with a tongue piercing
One of the most unexpected problems with a newly pierced person is difficulty speaking without a slight slur, or feeling like you're sucking candy in your mouth all the time.
The best way to properly speak: ignore the presence of the piercing rod. Try not to hold your piercing like a piece of candy, and leave it as much as possible. You may naturally try to keep the shaft of the piercing in your mouth. You don't have to, though, because the stems won't move anywhere
Step 7. Attach the smaller rod as your piercing heals
Depending on the success of the piercing and the person performing it, it may take about 1 month for the tongue to fully heal. When the tongue begins to feel comfortable, you can replace the piercing rod with a smaller and more comfortable size than before. Replace the piercing rod with a smaller size within about 2 weeks after the swelling has healed.
