Piercing - a very popular today way to transform your appearance. The piercings can decorate the most different parts of the face and body, and if desired, the decoration can be removed and the trace from it will disappear relatively quickly.
One of the most flamboyant and daring types of piercing is considered tongue piercing, for which a special type of jewelry is used - a barbell. And besides this rods are also used for nipple and ear piercings, in the case of the ears it is a type of piercing called industrial, for which a longer decoration is used. This decoration is a straight rod about one and a half millimeters in thickness with two balls at the ends - the rod got its name because of the visual resemblance to the sports equipment.
A brief historical background
The earliest information about tongue piercing dates back to the rituals of the Mesoamerican peoples, who used plant thorns as tools.
It is known that the procedure was performed for initiation of a person into the higher ranks of society and was part of a cult. Native Australians considered tongue piercing a means of exorcism and healing from evil magical influences.
In Europe, the fashion for this type of piercing came without religious significance. In the 1990s, the popularity of body modification flourished and this piercing was shown by many idols of youth, music and film stars, making it a symbol of freedom of expression and sexuality. Since then, it has been part of the range of services of most piercers.
Types of piercings and their approximate cost
For example, here are the average rates for tongue piercing in Moscow:
- Vertical - a classic reception, in different salons its cost ranges from 1200 to 4000 rubles.
- Superficial - the tongue is not pierced through. This complex puncture requires the master's attention and skill. Prices for this type of service can range from 1500 to 4000 rubles.
- Horizontal - only the tip of the organ is perforated. Such piercing costs 1200-4000 rubles.
- A combination of several punctures (along the tongue or along the axis) can cost 3000-10000 rubles.
- Frenulum piercing will cost 1,200-2,000 rubles.
The total price for piercing consists of three components:
- The work of the master - an experienced specialist who has passed specialized training.
- Decoration. If the average cost of a titanium earring is 300 rubles, then a similar piece of surgical steel would cost 600 rubles. Jewelry accessories containing precious metals and stones are the most expensive and can cost 8000 rubles or more.
- Additional options offered by the salon. Anesthesia costs an average of 300 rubles.
Contraindications
Tongue piercing rod (you can choose the product in any specialized store or salon) has a number of contraindications, in which it is not recommended to do piercing.
The main contraindications:
Specialists do not advise to pierce the tongue in the case when the patient does not have free time for regular care of the mucosa, which includes the process of rinsing and washing the wound. If a person does not take care of his or her oral cavity, he or she may develop suppuration or inflammation of the upper tissue structures.
Tongue piercing in most cases requires age of majority or special permission from a parent. The absence of such a rule may indicate low professionalism of workers, so it is better to choose another institution.
The choice of jewelry for piercings
The decoration is an element that prevents the hole from overgrowing and has a decorative function. It exists in several variants:
- bar - the safest and most popular decoration, is a straight rod with two balls on the ends, providing a fastening;
- "banana" - a curved rod, suitable for superficial punctures and also a variant of the classics;
- Labret - still the same rod, but it has a molded disc at the base and on the opposite side there is a thread for the screw-on ball, it is considered the least heavy tongue jewelry;
- ring - a simple smooth ring with a ball, suitable for piercing the tip and bridle;
- a barbell with a ring - a popular combination option for vertical piercing.
The choice of material is extremely important for the final result. The most popular are surgical steel, titanium, glass and bioplastic. The piercer will suggest the best option for the first piercing. Soft silicone elements are good for those who are afraid to traumatize tooth enamel. Locks can be of different shapes and sizes, and glow in the dark. Bright plastic and glass balls stand out more than metal ones, which are more suitable for everyday wear.
If you want to use more exotic materials, you should take into account that often the products from them are not in the range of the salon and they have to buy separately.
What must be considered before the procedure
The main advantage of the installation of piercings in the tongue - it allows you to emphasize the originality and highlight the bright features of the personality. With the right choice of jewelry, which will be in harmony with the overall style, the aesthetics of the appearance will not be violated. Another advantage is that the piercing is not located in a prominent place, it is not conspicuous.
There are a number of disadvantages of such language decoration. The most significant include:
- For the first time after the installation of a rod or earring, problems with diction are possible. They are temporary in nature, they disappear within a few weeks after the procedure.
- There can be an increase in salivation. This is the body's reaction to the metal object in the mouth.
- Taste distortions. The metal bar can affect the taste perception of drinks and food.
- Damage to the teeth. If the jewelry is not placed correctly (too close to the edges of the tongue), it can damage tooth enamel and scratch the gums.
It is important to carefully weigh the pros and cons before making the final decision to install a tongue piercing. Especially seriously need to analyze the opinion of others, as not all people perceive such jewelry positively. This can have a significant impact on career growth and social standing.
Who should not get a tongue piercing
All types of piercing are prohibited in the case of low immunity, poor blood clotting, exacerbation of chronic diseases and acute mental disorders, diabetes, high body temperature and pregnancy (because it can cause unnecessary stress). Tongue piercing is prohibited in the presence of ENT diseases, inflammatory processes and dental problems. In addition, you should consider that you might be allergic to metals. You should not use the services of a place where the sanitary conditions are questionable, or you do not trust the masters.
Are there any age restrictions?
Any salon piercing and tattooing conducts procedures only for adults or in the presence of their parents. However, the tongue can be pierced only after the age of 18, because the organ only by this age ends to form. There is no upper age limit for the procedure, but some diseases characteristic of the elderly are contraindications.
Painfulness of the procedure
Tongue piercing is considered one of the most painless types of piercing. If the procedure is carried out by an experienced master, he introduces a needle with a catheter into those points where there are the least receptors and nerve endings. The piercing itself does not take more than a minute. In most cases, the client feels almost nothing. If you have a low threshold for pain, or fear, anesthesia is used.
Preparation for tongue piercing
The piercing does not require special preparation, but a few days before the piercing, you should limit the consumption of alcohol, avoid stress, beware of colds, think about your allergies, if any, and carefully review the list of contraindications. The client should be prepared for the fact that at first the speech may be difficult, and the healing involves a gentle diet and will last a month.
Some schools prohibit all types of piercings, which should also
How to care for your piercing after the piercing
This type of piercing requires special care. In order to prevent infection, the oral cavity must be carefully cared for.
To relieve the tongue, it is recommended to suck ice cubes for the first time, then rinse the mouth with a solution of table salt. Also, rinsing is carried out with a special remedy recommended by the master who did the tongue piercing.
Until the wound heals, the consumption of food is excluded:
- chocolate;
- fermented dairy products;
- too solid food;
- spicy foods;
- salty foods.
Tongue piercing procedure
First, the client needs to choose a piece of jewelry. At first, it will not be allowed to take it out, so it is worth taking the decision responsibly. The length of the base of the rod should not be less than 2 cm, so that there is no tissue compression in the first days, when there will be swelling around the puncture. The master unpacks the consumables (gloves and catheters with needles), prepares disinfected tools and antiseptic-treated jewelry.
If necessary, an anesthetic composition is applied, and the place of the future opening is numbed. Then, with a special marker on the tongue, guides are marked, and a clamp is placed on the organ. A needle with a catheter is pierced through the tissue and the decoration is inserted. At the end of the procedure, the master can tell about the rules of care for the piercing, recommend antiseptics and give out a memo.
Where can I get a piercing?
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, the installation of piercings should be performed only in a special salon by a qualified master. Only in this way can the risk of complications and side effects be guaranteed to be reduced.
If the "at-home" procedure is performed incorrectly, it is almost impossible for an unqualified handyman to ensure sterility. This can lead to infection of the wound with various pathogens, including such dangerous ones as HIV and hepatitis C.
Duration of healing
Normally, it takes one month for the tongue to heal. Sometimes the choice of salon is crucial, because an infection introduced during the piercing can jeopardize the recovery process. All the first week there can be swelling, which forms on the second day after the procedure. This is a dangerous period, during which you should avoid suppuration and formation of an open wound.
It is not recommended to eat solid food (nuts, seeds, breadcrumbs), play with the elements of jewelry, pull out piercings. Sour food provokes burning and pain, sweet food is a breeding ground for bacteria. Twice a day you should rinse your mouth with a disinfectant recommended by the master (Chlorhexidine, Miramistine, Furacilin) and every time after eating - with boiled water, brush your teeth strictly in the morning and evening. Choose a toothpaste with the least intense taste to avoid burning. You can apply pieces of ice to the healing area when pain occurs.
If the fixing ball is lost or swallowed, the bar will have to be removed, and then the puncture will heal in a few hours. In the following weeks, it is recommended that you continue rinsing and take care not to injure your teeth against the metal. Diseases of the teeth and gums that have started can badly affect the condition of the puncture and aggravate the inflammation. To speed up the healing process, it is recommended to work a lot with the tongue: speaking, singing, moving - then the blood flow to the organ will increase, and it will quickly come back to normal.
How is it done?
Tongue piercing only lasts a few seconds. However, it is important to take the preparation seriously - choose an experienced specialist (with an appropriate license) and the right place for the procedure. Here it is important to maintain absolute sterility in order to avoid possible negative consequences (from prolonged healing to blood poisoning).
Everything must be sterile:
- The room;
- gloves of the master;
- Tools (clamp with a hole and a needle).
All tools must necessarily be sterilized, or they must be disposable. Be sure to tell the master about it before the procedure.
You will need to rinse your mouth with chlorhexidine before the piercing. Anesthesia is usually not administered. This is due to the peculiarities of the structure of the organ - the place for the puncture is chosen between the longitudinal fibers of the muscles. The probability of painful sensations in this case is extremely low.
If you prefer to protect yourself from even minor possible pain, the doctor can apply a spray based on lidocaine or another drug similar in effect to the puncture point.
Next, a special clip with a hole is used to grasp the desired area of the tongue and use a needle to make a vertical puncture. After removing the needle, a temporary ornament is inserted into the hole and fastened - a bar. Its size should be larger than the size of jewelry for permanent wear, as the first time the tongue will be slightly swollen. If desired, you can immediately make a double or triple tongue piercing and place in a row several identical decorations.
Sometimes inexperienced masters or home lovers of the extreme are taken to perform horizontal tongue piercing. The result of such a procedure looks rather spectacular, but carries a lot of risks. Passing the needle from edge to edge can seriously damage large nerves, veins and capillaries, as well as salivary glands and lymph nodes. And located in the horizontal plane of the piercing jewelry will deliver more inconvenience - clinging to the teeth, interfere with during meals. If you want to make exactly the horizontal tongue piercing, it is worth to consult with an experienced specialist who has already performed similar procedures.
How long does it take to heal the piercing? What kind of care is required?
The most common question from those wishing to do this type of piercing - how long does the piercing heal? The answer is quite a long time. The standard full healing time is 10 to 14 days after surgery. In the first days the tongue will be the most swollen and sensitive. You may feel a slight burning and tingling sensation. A white fluid will come out of the wound - dead blood cells (this is the norm). Somewhere around day 6-8, the swelling will go down and the bar - jewelry can be replaced with a shorter one.
Even before the procedure, your doctor will recommend a special solution, which you will need to rinse your mouth at least 2-3 times a day. It will be necessary to adhere to certain rules when eating and drinking - to remove from your diet:
- too spicy, salty, sour and bitter
- solid food;
- Excessively hot drinks, soups, etc;
- Alcohol - it can prolong the healing time;
You should not eat hard or coarse foods during the healing process. It is desirable to eat more liquids and purees, pureed fruits and vegetables. A good help can be ice cream, fruit ice cubes or just ice cubes, which can be sucked up to reduce discomfort in the first days. If you are not fond of caloric ice cream, such a diet, if necessary, can help to lose a couple of extra pounds. It is also better to refrain from smoking.
Brushing your teeth in the morning and evening should be avoided. It is desirable to exclude kissing and oral sex for the period of healing - this will help to minimize the possible infection in the wound.
How to choose jewelry for tongue piercing?
A key requirement for oral jewelry is the hypoallergenic nature of the base material. Preference should be given to products made of titanium or medical steel. If you choose jewelry made of non-certified materials, you can get a source of infection that breaks down when exposed to saliva, food and drinks.
In terms of shape, the most commonly used version is the rod: a metal rod with balls or flat rounded elements twisted around the edges. It is important to securely fasten the removable element, so as not to inhale or swallow it accidentally.
Important: make sure that the jewelry does not come into contact with the teeth - if you wear piercings constantly, you can seriously damage them. The probability of such consequences increases if the decorations are placed on the tip of the tongue or horizontally.
It is recommended to clean the jewelry regularly, using a soft toothbrush to remove stains that have appeared on it.
