How to Heal Your Tongue Piercing
Most piercings will be successful when they are well rinsed daily, are not touched frequently, and not subjected to pressure on or around the site.
Tongue piercings are no different.
We can expect your Tongue piercing to take approximately 12 weeks to heal.
When to Downsize your Tongue piercing?
Tongue piercings are suggested to be downsized at approximately 2 to 4 weeks. Downsizing your jewelry is important and will most likely have an effect on the end product. When we do an initial piercing there will be additional space on your post to allow for the swelling that is associated with a fresh wound. At a certain point that additional space that was left to help will become a source of healing issues.
To avoid potentially wasted trips for you please follow this link to complete the downsize form, be sure to view the example photos so that we can expedite this process. There may be additional downsizes and upsizes required at different intervals to ensure the optimal fit of your jewelry and your preferred end style/size.
All healing processes have the potential to vary, so any quoted times on healing and downsizing are what we see most often, but may not apply to every instance.
Aftercare Process
Twice Daily Routine:
Twice daily, we suggest using a non-alcohol based mouthwash to rinse for 30 seconds. Again we suggest finding a cadence that works for you to be sure you are staying honest. In between mouthwash rinses we suggest rinsing with bottled water after you eat or drink anything other than water.
Please do not use any other products on your piercing without consulting with us. Many products used in first aid will be too harsh and result in healing delays or complications, or possible damage to your jewelry.
Eating with your new piercing:
There are no dietary restrictions with your new piercing, but some things you may find more uncomfortable to eat or drink. Examples would be hot or spicy foods, foods that have sharp edges, and stringy foods. We would suggest avoiding alcohol and tobacco products while your piercing heals.
Please keep in mind that this is an open wound until it is closed. We suggest no oral contact during this time. This includes sharing consumables with others, kissing, oral sex, and drinking from public water fountains.
Oral Care with a new piercing:
We suggest switching to a new toothbrush and making sure any rinse cups are either single use or washed in between uses while your piercing heals.
Helpful Facts
Life with a new piercing:
Avoid applying pressure that distorts the piercing site. This is one of the main causes of irritation and issues with piercings. This would include snagging, bumping, or jarring the piercing.
One of the most common things we see with healing Tongue piercings are clients playing with the jewelry with either their tongue or teeth. Consistently pressing on the piercing with your tongue will delay its healing, and biting on your jewelry may cause tooth damage and damage the surface of your jewelry.
Be especially mindful when changing your clothing or using washrags to not catch or snag your jewelry.
When to touch your piercing:
Checking for end security or tightness is the only time touching your piercing is suggested. This would be when you get out of your shower or bath with clean hands and the piercing has been freshly rinsed. All jewelry has components that may come loose over time and should be checked occasionally for security or tightness. Please follow this link to view examples of how different styles of jewelry function.
When can you go swimming with new piercing:
As per the CDC guidelines, you should avoid swimming until any wound is considered closed. As we have previously described, that may vary from person to person, and from piercing to piercing.
Please keep in mind that submerging your piercing prior to it being closed may expose you to bacterial or viral infection. The more public the environment the higher the risk.
The CDC does offer the suggestion that wounds can be covered with waterproof bandages prior to them being closed, and while this may be possible with some piercings it is important that the bandage creates a good seal on the surrounding tissue to truly make it waterproof. Prior to applying a waterproof bandage be sure to rinse and dry the area well.
A good indication of your piercing being closed is that you are no longer seeing any discharge or buildup.
What can happen during the healing process:
Some things you may see during your healing period can include swelling, bruising, bleeding, redness, a small amount of discharge that may be clear to a yellowish white.
You may also begin to see the ends dimple into the tongue at the height of swelling. The only time this can be concerning is if the skin begins to grow around the ends entirely. If you are concerned about this, please contact us as directed below.
These don’t necessarily denote an issue with the piercing, but are more than likely a result of the piercing process and subsequent healing.