A tongue piercing is an extreme step. But if you wish to make your piercing stand out more, go in for double tongue piercing. Frog-eye piercing is among the more popular types of double tongue piercing. It is so-called because the beads atop the jewellery resemble frogs’ eyes.
You might find this intimidating, so it helps to research it before deciding to go in for one.
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Double Tongue Piercing: Good to Know Facts
- There are many types of double tongue piercing. Some include a pair of piercings, each done separately. Others include one piercing accompanied by a curved barbell seen on either side.
- All piercings aren’t named. Piercings can be done on any part of the tongue that’s away from the veins.
- The frog eye-piercing or the double tongue piercing is described as the type of piercing where two individual piercings are done horizontally on each flank of the tongue. When they are in symmetry, they are called venom piercing. Don’t confuse this with snake eyes piercing which is almost at the edge of the tongue. With a curved barbell emanating from each side, this piercing gives the impression of snake eyes emerging on either side of the tongue.
Double Tongue Procedure
Before you go for a double tongue procedure, you need to prepare for it.
How to Prepare for the Procedure
- Choose to go only with a reputed piercer.
- The equipment to be used for you should be individually packed and sterilized.
- Rinse your mouth using an anti-bacterial mouthwash.
- After examining your tongue for the best locations of piercing, the piercer will mark the spots with a surgical pen to avoid affecting the veins.
The Procedure
The procedure begins when the piercer holds down your tongue using a surgical clamp and then inserts a needle through the clamp. After a piercing, the jewellery is inserted. The jewellery includes long barbells which take care of any tongue swelling experienced post-piercing. After the procedure, the piercer will give you instructions for aftercare which you must follow to avoid any possibility of infection.
Double Tongue Piercing Aftercare Guide
With a couple of piercings done on the tongue, you’d believe that aftercare is extremely important. You’re right, it is. Our mouths are generally full of bacteria, so it’s important to keep it clean to prevent any infection. After all, surely you don’t want your piercings to be infected.
Here are some easy ways to take care of yourself after your piercings:
- Before you wash the piercing or tighten the jewellery, ensure that you’ve washed your hands.
- At the end of each meal, rinse your mouth using a zero-alcohol antiseptic mouthwash.
- Brush your teeth as usual but only be gentle on your teeth. Don’t clean your tongue until the swelling has gone entirely.
- Twice a day, rinse your mouth with warm water and salt to prevent infection.
- Smoking and drinking alcohol will irritate the piercings, so avoid both at this time.
- Eat soft and easily chewable food. Keep off spicy and hot food when your tongue is swollen.
- Don’t play with your piercings either by using your teeth or your hands.
Time to Heal
Your swollen tongue may be giving you a lot of tension and anxiety. You probably also find it difficult to eat and talk due to it, but there’s good news for you. The good news is that your piercings will heal soon.
A double tongue piercing usually takes about the same amount of time as a single tongue piercing. Your tongue swelling will go down in a week after the piercing. You can expect to be completely healed at the end of two months.
However, when you reach the end of this period, don’t assume you can leave your jewellery out for protracted periods. If you do, your piercings will quickly close up, sometimes even an hour after removing the jewellery.
Is a Double Tongue Piercing Very Painful?
Often, the fear of unbearable pain is what keeps people away from getting a double tongue piercing done. So, let’s allay your fears by discussing it here. Of course, the tongue being a sensitive organ, you are going to feel the pain of a couple of piercings, so if you can prepare yourself for the pain, you can easily have your tongue pierced twice.
Usually, the pain in tongue piercings isn’t as much as one imagines. More than the initial pain that one experiences, it’s the discomfort of the swelling that’s unbearable. Obviously, with a double tongue piercing, you’ll experience double the pain of a single tongue piercing.
But having said that, you must expect not just pain but some bleeding too. In the first few days after the piercing, there will be a swelling of the tongue and a bit of tenderness too. It’s normal to notice a white or clear discharge from the sites of the piercing. These are considered the side-effects of piercing which go away in a week.
The intensity of pain one is exposed to depends on the kind of piercing you go in. This takes into account the number of piercings you have and their size. The pain you will go through also depends on your tolerance level of pain. Some people feel that they faced less pain during the piercing but more during the healing phase. So, it depends on person to person.
Factors that Affect the Pain of Double Tongue Piercing
If you’re still wondering whether to take the lead and have your tongue pierced or not, read on to find out the factors that can influence the pain you might experience.
Are You Sleep-Deprived?
If you show up at the studio for a double piercing after sleeping inadequately for about a week, you’re going to find it more painful and difficult to bear than others would.
Your Present Health Condition
Your health condition, including your quantum of sleep, will tell on the amount of pain you will have to bear at a tongue piercing session. This is true because tongue piercing also involves some swelling, which could be worse if you’re not in the pink of health at the time of piercing.
Did You Have Drugs or Alcohol Just Before the Piercing?
If you have had either alcohol or drugs, they could change your nerve perceptions and make the pain more unbearable for you.
How Experienced Is Your Piercer?
If you have an experienced and professional piercer, he will be in control of the situation. But if you don’t, he might just pierce you in the wrong spot which will hurt you more and increase your complications.
Your Choice to Have One Piercing or Multiple
If you choose to have one piercing, the pain will naturally behalf of a double tongue piercing.
Your Pain Threshold
Some people can bear pain better than others. How much can you bear?
Your Confidence Level About Getting a Double Tongue Piercing Done
if you feel confident about bearing the pain and you feel you’re ready for it, you will bear the pain well.
Ways to Make a Double Tongue Piercing Less Painful
Any piercings are more than one can be done one at a time. Two individual horizontal piercings can be had on one day if you can bear the pain or on two days, a few days apart. If you choose to have both—horizontal and vertical piercings, it will be your call.
When you have just one perforation a day, you do stand to bear less pain. However, the experience of the piercer, his experience level, equipment, etc go to contribute towards the pain you bear. Once the procedure is over, you can take the painkillers your doctor advises you to.
How to Lessen the Pain of Double Tongue Piercing
- Place ice cubes on your tongue and let them melt. Don’t suck or chew them. Drink a lot of water.
- Dab the area with cotton soaked in saline. Do this twice a day.
- Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Don’t use harsh toothpaste or this will bring about a burning sensation that will retard the healing progress.
- Keep the area dry after every wash. Use a paper towel for this.
- Don’t eat hot and spicy foods during the healing phase.
- Eat mashed potatoes and fruits, soup, rice, scrambled eggs, and porridge.
Double Tongue Piercing Jewellery
The jewellery used for this piercing is generally known as a barbell. It comprises a main shaft that is straight and has a bead ball at both ends. Both or one of these beads can be opened for changing. One is usually detachable while the other is fixed.
They are made of gold, plastic, titanium, stainless steel and silicone. They also come in a variety of patterns, shapes, and colors. Usually, a circular one is used. In a double tongue piercing, two barbells are used.
How to Choose Jewellery
- Don’t go with jewellery that you’re allergic to or it will create complications for you.
- Choose the right size of a barbell. Initially, a longer pair is required and after healing, replace it with the right size.
- Make sure it is of good quality.
- When inserted, it should be sterile and placed hygienically so that it doesn’t cause infection.
Risks of Double Tongue Piercing
By now, you may be well on your way to having your tongue pierced twice, but there are risks you should be aware of too. Tongue piercing can cause a lot of damage to your health if not done well, so take all precautions before going in for this.
Here are some risks that you should be aware of before you go in for it.
Swollen Tongue
The tongue does swell up for a few days but the problem can become acute if the swelling enters a part of the throat. This is critical because in such a situation, the airways can shut off and suffocation can result.
Nerve Damage
This procedure demands great accuracy from the professional so that the nerve in the tongue isn’t damaged. If it isn’t done accurately, it can lead to irreversible nerve damage.
Tongue piercings are also known to cause symptoms including loss of taste, gum damage, numbness, restricted movements and damage to speech ability.
Gum Damage
The position of your jewellery could be so that it is abrasive to the gums. This can lead to sore spots over time and, over time, your gums could recede. Bare gums expose the dental roots to infection that can erode the jawbone and make teeth fall out.
For dental damage caught early on, the barbell can be removed, and the gums left to heal, though this would also close up the piercings. But if the damage is severe, it would necessitate dental surgery for gum repair but it might still mean loss of teeth.
Dental Damage
When teeth come into contact with steel balls and bars, it doesn’t augur well for the former. Enamel could erode, making teeth decay. By biting on the jewellery accidentally, you could fracture a tooth or two.
Choking
A big risk here is of an individual choking on her jewellery. During the healing phase, when the individual is sleeping with the barbell in position, there could be a chance of the jewellery opening up and one or both pieces being swallowed, thus causing choking.
Cost of Double Tongue Piercing Procedure
The cost of a double piercing procedure varies from place to place. For instance, it costs anything between $40-$100 in the United States. In the UK, it costs £30-£90 and in Europe, it costs €40-€110.
Video Credit: muhaha12
Conclusion
Going through a double tongue piercing procedure needn’t be a big deal if you’re in the right hands. It can be over before you know it. You must steady your nerves and be prepared for what’s coming. Then, enjoy the experience and after.
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