Tongue Piercings

Tongue piercings at a glance

The tongue piercing is one of the fastest healing piercings of all, thanks to the excellent blood supply and the antibacterial properties of saliva. It is a piercing that is barely visible externally yet has a very special appeal. At XS Piercing Basel, we offer various variants of the tongue piercing that differ in placement and number of piercings.

Classic tongue piercing

Healing:
4 - 6 weeks

Pain:
Low

Price:
CHF 100 / 120

Jewellery:
Straight barbell

The classic tongue piercing runs vertically through the centre of the tongue, approximately 1.5 to 2 centimetres behind the tongue tip. The piercing penetrates the tongue from bottom to top. Surprisingly for many: The piercing itself is significantly less painful than expected. While the tongue is sensitive to temperature and taste, the piercing through the tongue tissue is often perceived as only a brief pressure.

The initial jewellery is a longer straight barbell that accommodates the expected swelling. After the swelling subsides (usually after 5 to 10 days), the barbell is changed to the appropriate length to prevent playing with the teeth.

Venom Bites

Healing:
4 - 6 weeks

Pain:
Medium

Price:
CHF 160 / 180

Jewellery:
2x Straight barbell

Venom bites consist of two symmetrically placed piercings side by side on the tongue. Unlike the classic tongue piercing, they sit not centrally but each to the side of the tongue centre, similar to the fangs of a venomous snake. This variant requires particular care in placement to safely avoid the lateral tongue nerves and blood vessels.

The swelling can be somewhat more pronounced with venom bites than with a single tongue piercing, as two sites are healing simultaneously. Therefore, plan for a bit more patience in the first few days and consistently follow the care instructions.

Snake Eyes

Healing:
4 - 6 weeks

Pain:
Medium

Price:
CHF 160 / 180

Jewellery:
Curved barbell

The snake eyes piercing runs horizontally through the tip of the tongue. Viewed from the front, the two balls of the curved barbell look like the eyes of a snake. It is a particularly striking and unusual tongue piercing that becomes visible when speaking and smiling.

Important note

The snake eyes piercing connects two independently moving tongue muscles with one piece of jewellery. This can restrict the natural range of movement of the tongue tip. We advise you in detail about the advantages and disadvantages and check whether your anatomy is suitable for this piercing.

Myths & facts

Numerous myths surround the tongue piercing. Here we clear up the most common misconceptions:

Can you lose your sense of taste from a tongue piercing?

No. The taste buds are located mainly at the edges and tip of the tongue. The classic tongue piercing is placed centrally, where there are hardly any taste buds. A loss of taste from a correctly placed tongue piercing is practically impossible.

Is there a risk of nerve damage?

With correct placement by an experienced piercer, the risk of nerve damage is minimal. The important tongue nerves run along the sides, while the piercing is placed centrally. This is why precise placement is so crucial, and why you should only have your tongue piercing done by experienced professionals.

Does a tongue piercing permanently impair speech?

In the first few days after piercing, speech may be somewhat impaired due to swelling. However, this normalises completely within a few days. After healing, the piercing has no effect whatsoever on the ability to speak.

Can a tongue piercing damage teeth?

If you habitually play with the jewellery (clicking it against the teeth), this can lead to tooth enamel damage in the long term. We recommend being consciously mindful of this behaviour and choosing jewellery made from a softer material (titanium instead of surgical steel) to minimise the risk.

Healing & care

The tongue heals remarkably quickly thanks to its excellent blood supply. As a rule, healing is complete after 4 to 6 weeks. However, the first week after piercing is the most demanding phase:

• Swelling: The tongue will swell noticeably in the first 3 to 5 days. This is completely normal. Ice and cool drinks help to reduce the swelling. Ibuprofen can additionally have a decongestant effect.
• Diet: Switch to soft, cool food in the first few days. Soup (not too hot), yoghurt, smoothies and ice cream are ideal. Avoid spicy, acidic and crusty food.
• Mouthwash: Rinse with alcohol-free mouthwash or saline solution after every meal and in between.
• Smoking & alcohol: Avoid as much as possible in the first few days. Both can impair healing and increase pain.
• Jewellery change: After the swelling subsides (approx. 7 to 14 days), the longer initial barbell should be exchanged for a shorter one. Feel free to come to our studio for this.

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