Yamaa you mob!

It’s Em to give y’all another deadly lecture on safe and unsafe piercings.

Today we’re going to focus on the new craze tongue piercings, frog eyes and snake eyes.

Now, despite looking really cool they're actually unsafe piercings! Many piercers in Australia will turn you down when you request a snake eye piercing or a frog eye piercing.

Unfortunately both piercings may cause permanent irreversible oral damage over time. I hate to be a negative Nelly; but I really want my clients to have safest, long lasting, comfortable, and clean piercings.

So, why are the frog eye and snake eye piercings so unsafe?

The main reason many piercers will refuse the frog eye and snake eye piercings is because of the placement of the piercings. Irreversible damage may be caused despite taking the piercing out.

• The piercings are placed quite close to the tip of the tongue and that leaves no barrier to protect your teeth.
• The balls from the barbell piercing jewellery may chip and erode your gums and teeth from the constant pressure.

Another reason the frog and snake eye piercings really aren't the best piercing decision is the risk of permanent anatomy damage. The tongue is made of two muscles. When a standard tongue piercing in the centre of the tongue is pierced, the piercing jewellery misses these two important tongue muscles.

The frog eye and snake eye piercings actually has a risk of piercing or mending the two tongue muscles together. This may cause a permanent speech impediment, and you even run the risk of losing muscle movement in the tongue all together! That will leave you with a tongue restricted feeling when talking and eating. Very uncomfortable!

Safe Piercing Alternatives

Because we care about your health AND style. Here are some safer tongue piercing choices.

Standard Midline Tongue Piercing

This is when a straight barbell is placed in the centre of the tongue. It avoids muscles and nerves. It's best to downsize the bar size once the piercing is healed and the swelling has reduced to help further protect your teeth.

The following piercings aren't actually in your tongue, but they are pierced with the clients gum and tooth anatomy in mind; making them totally safe.

Labret Piercing

Pierced centrally below the lower lip, above the chin. This piercing avoids gums/teeth when placed correctly. It also uses a flat back stud to help minimise contact with your teeth and gums. Studs are best for oral safety, however once healed some people may opt for a hoop.

Monroe Piercing

This one is an off centre upper lip piercing. Mimicking Marilyn Monroe's famous birth mark. This is positioned to avoid the fenulum, which is that super soft sensitive skin that connects the lips to the gums. This piercing also uses a short post to prevent tooth rubbing, and is ideal for those wanting a subtle piercing.

Philtrum Piercing (aka Medusa)

To avoid gum damage this piercing requires a precise angle. It is placed in the cupid's bow, and uses a flat back stud. As this can swell, jewellery with a longer post is generally used and will need to be swapped out for something shorter once it has healed. If long studs are left in they can lead to gum recession, and if the piercing is placed too low can cause teeth to chip.

3 Reasons To Choose A Safe Piercing

I like my piercings to be safe and long lasting and I definitely prefer body and facial piercings that don’t cause irreversible damage to my body. I extend the same attitude to my clients. It's not rocket science.. or maybe it is!

• No speech impediments: Proper placement won't end up affecting the way you speak. Once it's healed anyway.
• Zero tooth damage: Fitted jewellery avoids erosion of enamel. If you need a hand finding the right fit jewellery, come see me.
• Long-term wear: With care, these can look good and last for decades!

Love the look of piercings but worried about safety? Book a consultation with me at ROXXI’S Poolroom for anatomy-approved piercings!

Stay deadly you mob.

Em xx