This article was co-authored by Stephanie Anders. Stephanie Anders is the Owner and Head Piercer at Royal Heritage Tattoo and Piercing, a tattoo and piercing studio located in Los Angeles, California. Stephanie has over 10 years of piercing experience and her client list includes such stars as Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz, Nicole Richie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Sharon Osbourne.
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Tongue piercings can be a fun and exciting way to make a change in your life. However, sometimes our life circumstances require that we keep piercings hidden from certain people – like bosses, friends, parents, or other family members. You don’t want to lose your job or get grounded just because you got your tongue pierced.
Steps
Getting the Piercing
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1Get your tongue pierced by a professional. Whenever you get a piercing, it is important to let a licensed professional piercer do it. They are trained in proper techniques, safety, and sanitation to ensure that your new piercing is placed properly and heals well.[1]
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2Schedule your piercing appointment appropriately. If you are trying to keep your new piercing a secret, you need to be mindful about when you get it done. There will be a healing timeframe during which your tongue may swell significantly which can noticeably alter how you sound when you talk. Try to plan your piercing during a time when you can avoid people for at least a few days to give yourself time to heal.EXPERT TIP
After you get your tongue pierced, the first 2 weeks will be the hardest, but 4-6 weeks later the piercing will most likely be fully healed.
Sasha Blue is a Professional Body Piercer and the Owner of 13 Bats Tattoo and Piercing Studio in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sasha has over 20 years of professional body piercing experience, starting with her apprenticeship in 1997. She is licensed with the County of San Francisco in California.
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3Care for your piercing properly. Make sure you follow all instructions given to you by the piercer for care of your new piercing. Failure to do so could result in infection or a prolonged healing time, which would make your situation and your pierced tongue more noticeable to those around you.[2] [3]
Getting the Right Jewelry
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1Choose a standard barbell. There are many fun kinds of jewelry you can get for your new tongue piercing. While these flashy options may be exciting and tempting, they will also be much more visible. Choose a standard barbell option that is easier to conceal.
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2Choose the ball for your jewelry wisely. Try to pick a clear plastic ball or a flesh-colored ball for the ends of your tongue piercing barbell. These will be less obvious than flashy metal or a colorful ball, so they are easier to hide.
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3Get a clear plastic retainer. The best way to minimize visibility of a new piercing is by getting a clear plastic retainer. These are much harder to see, especially in a darker place like inside your mouth. However, these plastic jewelry options are not good for fresh piercings. You need to give your tongue piercing several months of healing time before you use any plastic jewelry in it.[4]EXPERT TIPStephanie Anders is the Owner and Head Piercer at Royal Heritage Tattoo and Piercing, a tattoo and piercing studio located in Los Angeles, California. Stephanie has over 10 years of piercing experience and her client list includes such stars as Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz, Nicole Richie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Sharon Osbourne.Piercing Specialist
Stephanie Anders
Piercing SpecialistInsert a glass or quartz retainer to help disguise your piercing. A retainer won't always work, but it's a great place to start when you're trying to hide your tongue piercing. If your piercing is still noticeable after you switch to a clear retainer, it's likely because of your tongue anatomy.
Being Mindful of Your Behavior
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1Avoid telling people about your tongue piercing. People talk. The more people who know about your tongue piercing, the more likely it is that someone you don’t want to know will find out about it. Don’t tell anyone you don’t trust and avoid talking about your piercing in general if you want it to remain a secret.
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2Be careful about how you hold your mouth when you talk. Tongue piercings can be difficult to hide because they are in such a visible area. Avoid opening your mouth too widely when you are talking or laughing. Avoid yelling, screaming, or singing (or other activities that require you to open your mouth widely) in front of people you want to hide the piercing from. Practice in the mirror to see what methods conceal your piercing the most.
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3Stay away from people you want to hide it from. When possible, avoid the people you don’t want to know about your new piercing. It would be a better idea to take some days off work while your piercing heals than to go to work with an obviously swollen tongue.
Community Q&A
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QuestionWould a tongue piercing affect my speech?
Community AnswerIt can. It really depends on what type of barbell you get. If it's too big, you will have a lisp. -
QuestionHow old do I have to be to get a tongue piercing and how much will it cost?
Community AnswerUsually it is 18+ and cost varies on the place you choose to get it pierced. Most piercing studios have a website where you can see age restrictions and price. -
QuestionAfter I get my tongue pierced, when can I change to an invisible ring?Community AnswerTechnically you can change it anytime, but not yourself. Go to your piercer (or any piercer) and have them to do it for you.
References
About This Article
Hiding your tongue piercing can be a bit of a challenge, but with a few tricks, you can make it much less obvious. When you get your piercing done, try to get a clear or flesh-colored plastic barbell, which will be harder to spot than a silver or colorful one. Try to keep your distance from anyone you want to hide your piercing from. When you have to be around them, don’t open your mouth too much when you talk. However, you don’t want to talk strangely, since this will also be a big giveaway. Try practicing talking in front of a mirror to strike a good balance. For more tips from our Piercing co-author, including how to avoid an infection from your tongue piercing, read on!
