Tongue piercings have become more sought-after than ever before, including those with “snake eyes” piercings that run horizontally across the middle of your tongue. Although this piercing is stunning, many professional piercers aren’t willing to do it due to the dangers that come with it.Â
We’ll explain the specifics of this procedure and why it’s not always the most beneficial option to have one and much more about it.
Let’s get started.
What Are Snake Eye Piercings?
A snake’s eyes are pierced through the tip of the tongue vertically.
Contrary to traditional tongue piercing in which the jewelry is introduced and leaves the tongue vertically, The snake eye punctures the tongue horizontally and passes straight through the muscles (creating two entry points). A barbell curved with jewelry at both ends is put through the mouth’s tip and makes what appear to be “snake eyes” within the mouth. It is also possible to use straight barbells.
A piercing of the eyes of a snake differs from one that is a “snake bite” piercing- these are two piercings placed under the lower lip.
Piercings of the snake’s eyes could take as long as 2 months to heal fully. They also follow the same instructions for aftercare as other tongue piercings, and piercers recommend using a piercing-grade spray and mouthwash designed for piercings. The typical tongue piercing could take between 6 and 8 weeks to fully heal.
How Long Does The Snake Eyes Piercing Take To Heal?
Snake eye piercing should take at least 8 weeks to heal. Remember that it’s the bare minimum time to heal. However, even when you take care of everything, healing may take longer. This is why it is recommended that you make sure that your piercer takes an examination to make sure the piercing is healed before discontinuing aftercare procedures or changing the jewelry.
Your tongue is likely to swell the first few days after you’ve pierced the tongue, meaning that you’ll need a longer piece to compensate for the swelling. Particularly in the initial days of recovery, you’ll have to be extra cautious as you adjust to your new piece of jewelry.Â
Limiting your soft food intake for the first few days ensures you don’t need to chew for as long. It is also recommended to avoid speaking as much as you can because your tongue could shake the jewelry and result in it getting rejected.
Are Snake Eye Piercings Safe?
Many piercers believe that snake eye piercing is dangerous. Most reputable piercing shops refuse to do it. There is a probability of rejection, gum rejection, chipping, or teeth cracking. The health risk alone is enough to make most people stay off this procedure.Â
Apart from the obvious dangers to the health of snake eye piercings, unidentified long-term risks are of concern. The tongue is composed of two muscles linked to the piercing and prevents independence of movement. As of now, the long-term consequences of this are not yet known.
Furthermore, removing the piercing could leave a very unpleasant mark. It’s not just health keeping people from getting this type of piercing. A second reason is the appearance. It’s not suitable for everyone.
Pros And Cons of A Snake Eyes Piercing
Pros
- Very little interference: It does not hinder regular oral hygiene routines like brushing as other tongue perforations.
- Symmetrical Appearance: A piercing position at the end of your tongue produces an asymmetrical look and creates an attractive look.
Cons
- An arduous aftercare process: The distinctive tongue position demands a strict follow-up routine. A good oral hygiene routine should be maintained to avoid problems.
- Oral Health Affects The piercing of the eyes by snakes could increase saliva production and cause tooth damage as the piece of jewelry crashes against your teeth.
One of the biggest disadvantages of this procedure is the dangers that accompany it.
Snake Eyes Piercing Process
A snake eye piercing needs the highest precision and diligence during the procedure to ensure a successful, secure piercing. Here are the steps in a piercing of the eye with a snake:
- Consultation: Before the piercing, you’ll receive an appointment with an experienced professional piercer. The opportunity will be given to inquire about questions about the process of piercing and choose the right jewelry. The piercer can also check the suitability of your tongue for the piercing.
- Preparation: The piercer should start by thoroughly washing their hands. They will then put on disposable gloves to keep a sterile environment.
- Sterilization: Afterwards, the tools for piercing, such as the forceps, needle, and jewelry, are sterilized. This is done using an autoclave or another sterilization method that is medical grade.
- Marking: The piercer will mark the entry and exit points of the piercing at the tip of your tongue.
- Some piercers provide a topical numbing gel or anesthetic spray to lessen the discomfort caused by the piercing.
- Piercing: Once the points are marked, the piercer uses one hollow needle to penetrate your tongue horizontally. The needle should pass through the tongue quickly and effortlessly. This reduces the injury to the tissue. The jewelry will be put through the freshly pierced.
- Secure the Jewelry: Once the jeThell fixes the ends. This ensures that it is secured and perfectly aligned. Once the jewelry is secured, it avoids any problems with irritation or biting.
- Aftercare Instructions The piercer will supply you with comprehensive aftercare instructions. They will also address any questions you might be asking about post-care and healing.
- Follow-Up: Most piercers recommend a follow-up appointment to monitor healing progress.
Selecting a skilled and trustworthy piercer to do a snake eye perforation is essential.Â
Snake Eyes Tongue Piercing Aftercare
The healing process for snake eye piercing is not any different from other oral piercings. Be sure to wash it using a salicylate piercing solution aftercare 3 – 2 times daily. (Since the piercing is situated within the mouth, cleaning it after eating is best to eliminate any food particles.)Â
Some piercers suggest using a post-piercing care solution designed specifically for oral piercings, which is safe to swallow.
If you choose an aftercare solution, avoid those containing additives, such as tea tree oil. These additives irritate the area of the piercing and can delay healing.
Although piercing-related infections are uncommon and usually occur because of poor hygiene, snake-eye infections can happen. Be on the lookout for signs of excessive swelling as well as yellow or green discharge bleeding or a sensation of fever on the piercing area.
Maintaining Excellent Oral Hygiene Is A Big Part of Snake Eyes Piercing Aftercare
Avoid using mouthwash with alcohol. It can irritate the piercing, and it could cause harm. As a result, stay away from eating any acidic or spicy food until your snake eye and the piercing of your tongue heal. In general, staying clear of anything isn’t something you would want to expose for an opening.
It is also important to be aware of the size of the piece. The piercer you choose will be fitted with a larger initial piece to accommodate an increase in size.Â
This helps avoid issues like embedded jewelry, but it could mean that your jewelry may cause inconvenience. After the swelling has decreased within a week or two and you’ve had enough, consult your piercer whether you can be fitted with smaller pieces that are more manageable to manage.
In addition, you must be aware of your piercings during the initial week to ensure that the jewelry you’re wearing is big enough. The tongue could expand dramatically, and you don’t want your piercings pressing against your necklace’s ball end. If your jewelry is pressing against your skin or is tight, consult your piercer to obtain the right size piece.
Snake Eyes Piercing Risks
As you can observe, Snake Eye piercing is an extremely risky option. Most reputable piercers believe the practice is risky and will not do it. Here are a few principal dangers:
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Infected Snake Eyes Piercing
Any piercing could be infected. Since your mouth contains numerous bacteria, allowing a Snake Eye tongue piercing to become infected is very simple.
If the piercing you have is affected, you might notice the pus leaking in yellow or green from the piercing site. There may also be red streaks extending outwards from the piercing site.
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Swollen Snake Eyes Piercing
Every piercing that is infected will show some swelling. However, if your piercing is particularly infected, your tongue could show redness and swelling beyond the piercing itself.
In extreme cases, tongue swelling can be enough to stop your airway and cause breathing difficulties completely. It’s crucial to identify infections early, so make certain to schedule an appointment to see your physician when you begin to notice indications of a disease.
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Snake Eye Piercing Rejection
At times, your body could consider your piercing to be an alien body and will try to remove it. If your buddies do not accept the piercing, they could notice it is shifting places, moving close to your tongue’s surface. Also, you may see the piercing holes growing.
If you believe your snake eye tongue piercing is rejected, consult the piercer for suggestions on what you can do.
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Other Risks
Many people (and people who pierce) stay clear of the procedure due to the serious harm to the teeth and gums it could cause. The pressure on the muscles of the tongue can cause problems with speech, but it can also cause difficulty eating.
Safer Alternatives
Vertically paired tongue (“venom”) perforations At a glance, piercings appear exactly like snake eyes piercing, but they are on the tongue’s surface rather than along the sides. They are safer because they pass through the tongue vertically instead of horizontally.
- Remember that these piercings can take around three months to heal, slightly longer than normal tongue piercings.
- This piercing is made using straight barbells that are used for jewelry.
Traditional tongue piercingsA conventional tongue piercing consists of an individual piece of jewelry that vertically passes through the tongue.Â
For any tongue piercing that is vertical (including venom or venom piercings), the piercer will align the piece of jewelry approximately a 3/4 inch (1.9 centimeters) in front of the portion of the tongue close to the tongue’s webbing.
- As with venom piercings, tongue piercings will not harm the muscular structure of your tongue.
- This also makes use of straight barbells.
Snake bites bite piercing consists of two labret piercings, which are piercings placed around the lower lip. These punctures are placed symmetrically on the lower lip using rings and studs.
- The healing time for snake bites is within 2 months and up to.
Is it Painful?
In the procedure for piercing a snake’s eye, it is a common query. Many people would like to know if the procedure causes pain. Of course, all piercings hurt, but there’s something more than it.
What most people ask is, will it hurt more than alternatives? Many people who receive snake eyes already have dental or tongue piercings. It’s fashionable for the eye, with the middle of a stud, giving a slight snoot to your snake.
If you’re one of the people thinking about the piercing of their tongues with a snake’s eye, they won’t have their first time at a rodeo. But, as it happens, it is imperative to be completely truthful. Individual pain levels and thresholds can differ from person to person.
People experience snake eyes as a bit worse than getting studs and similar piercings on a one-off basis. It’s important to know the way that the pain is assessed. Many believe there’s no significant difference between a snake’s eye and having just one stud.
A Little Note About Pain
Many people believe that having two vertical studs simultaneously is more abrasive and uncomfortable. Also, based on your number of perforations and where they are located, snake eyes are the best option. This is especially true if discomfort and discomfort are the main concerns instead of just the style they offer.
In general, it’s common in the case of piercings. Many people don’t think of it as painful. The most common reaction is the tingle sensation, reminiscent of an itch.
Most of those who do it are quite surprised at how simple and fast it can be.
Finding the Right Person
It’s the most crucial factor you’ll need to know from the guide. Just like any piercing you receive, the person performing it is vital. Trusting your body to someone inexperienced or does not know what they’re doing is not a good idea.
After you’ve completed some initial research about snake eyes, begin looking for professionals. Do not go with a discount rate for someone still in training or at a mall that is a mass-market shop. Find someone with expertise, time, and a substantial collection of projects behind them.
Consider it as having a tattoo. You wouldn’t want to trust a random stranger to touch your skin, so why would you like to do something similar with a tattoo? Check out reputable reviews online or read the reviews in the local press about the shop.
One of the most crucial things to do is sit with professional Piercers. Talk openly with everyone you’re contemplating. Inform them of what you are thinking of down to the smallest specific.
Give them a reference photo If you can. Piercers are generally acquainted with snake eyes but may need more details. If a piercer claims they’ve never had one done or doesn’t feel at ease, this indicates danger.
What Should I Do If I No Longer Want My Snake Eyes Piercing?
If you decide you don’t want your eyes to be pierced by snakes, then it’s best to talk with an expert. Experts can guide you in removing the jewelry safely and taking care of the piercing area afterward.
Removing the jewelry at home ensures that the fingers and tools are dirt-free. Continue to clean the piercing area with saline and non-alcoholic solutions, and avoid excessive agitation of the site to encourage healing.
Maintain a good level of oral health and beware of irritating substances such as alcohol, spicy foods, and tobacco. Check areas for signs of infection like swelling, redness, or discharge, and consult a doctor when needed.
Take your time allowing the wound to heal while being patient with your healing. A healthy, balanced diet and drinking plenty of water can help boost the immune system and support healing. Prepare yourself for an adjustment period. If you have scarring that remains, consulting a specialist for advice on reduction or management is suggested.
Key Takeaways
- The term “snake eyes” is one piercing horizontally at the tip of the tongue.
- The healing time may be longer than normal tongue perforations, lasting 6-8 weeks.
- Certain foods, such as fiery and spicy, are not recommended during the healing phase.
- Choose hypoallergenic jewelry material for your new piercings, including stainless steel, gold titanium, surgical steel, and Niobium.