by Miss Dameanor

Created on: April 04, 2007   Last Updated: April 17, 2007

Let me see your tonguestick it out straight AS FAR AS YOU CAN". That is the first step in assessing the piercability of a tongue. If the tip of the client's tongue cannot stick out farther than the teeth, they are tongue-tied and should reconsider the procedure. It is not that they are unable to have the piercing done, it is more that it will most likely be very uncomfortable and may inflict irreversible damage to the teeth and gums quicker than most tongue piercings.

If the client was able to get past the first check, the second step would be to flip the tip of the tongue up towards the nose to check for large veins running down the center of the underside of the tongue. Many people have them but most do not. The majority of people have small capillaries, yet the major veins generally reside opposite each other on the sides, under each bundle of muscles. However, if there is a vein streamlining the center, all is not lost. Most tongues can be pierced just off-center and can still appear as they are perfectly placed. This, again, is to be judged a possibility with each client separately since all tongues vary in size and shape. After careful examination, if the tongue appears to be free of venal obstacles, the tongue can be prepared for piercing.

There is a common misconception of the mouth being one of the dirtiest places on the body. Saliva happens to, not only protect the mouth from harmful bacteria, but also promotes the health of the piercing. Tongues have an amazing ability to heal themselves, which is why the healing of the tongue piecing is one of the quickest of all body modifications. However, with that said, a sterile working environment must still be created. Before and after the procedure, the client must rinse for 1 minute with an antiseptic mouthwash. When it comes down to it, ANY antiseptic mouthwash will do, just as long as it has the required active ingredients in it. Most mouthwashes with ingredients such as Menthol and Thymol are just fine. Once the mouth is clean and the breath fresh, it is time for X marks the spot!

Though skin marking pens seem to be the most popular choice for amateur piercers, they are not sterile and should not be used from client to client. Instead, Gentian Violet and a single-use pointed toothpick should be employed to mark the intended area. Dry the tongue off with a paper towel and hold onto in to make sure the client doesn't wet it again. It must be dry to ensure that the mark doesn't bleed into a blob. Once

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>