Snake Eyes Tongue Piercing: Risks, Healing & UK Advice

Snake Eyes Piercing: why most UK professionals say “please think twice”

The appeal of the so-called snake eyes piercing is obvious at first glance. Two tiny beads peep out of either side of the tongue tip, giving the illusion of a miniature set of fangs. On social media it photographs beautifully and because it is tucked away inside the mouth, the jewellery can feel like a private flourish that only reveals itself when you laugh. Yet ask any experienced British piercer what they think of the trend and the answer is, more often than not, a gentle but firm no.

This article explains exactly what a snake eyes piercing is, how it is performed, why it remains controversial, and what you would need to consider – from pain and healing through to long-term oral health – before deciding whether the look is worth the potential cost.

What is a snake eyes piercing?

Unlike a conventional mid-line tongue piercing, which passes vertically through one bundle of muscle, the snake eyes is a horizontal surface piercing that joins the left and right halves of the tongue in a single channel. It sits through the very tip of the organ, just behind the thin membrane of skin you can see when you stick your tongue out in the mirror. A short, curved barbell is worn so that each ball sits flush against the tissue, creating the twin-eye effect.

Because the tongue is actually made up of two independent muscle groups that work together when we speak, chew and swallow, a bar linking them can compromise their natural movement. The Association of Professional Piercers (APP) in the United States has publicly classed the placement as unsafe; many UKAPP members follow that guidance and simply decline to offer the service.

The procedure step by step

In a studio that does agree to perform the piercing, the appointment begins much like any other oral procedure. You complete a medical questionnaire, the artist checks that your tongue is long enough to protrude safely beyond the lower teeth, and an antiseptic mouth rinse is swished for thirty seconds to reduce bacterial load.

After donning fresh gloves, the piercer dries the tongue with sterile gauze and makes two small ink marks to indicate entry and exit points. The tongue is then gently clamped or steadied with a receiving tube. A 14-gauge hollow needle is passed horizontally from left to right in one smooth motion, immediately followed by the insertion of an implant-grade titanium or niobium barbell. The jewellery must be long enough to allow for significant swelling, which is an inevitable part of tongue healing. Any pinpoint bleeding is blotted away and you are invited to inspect the placement before leaving the chair. The technical part takes less than a minute, but swelling begins within hours.

How painful is it?

Most clients describe an intense pinch that subsides as soon as the jewellery is seated. Because the piercing is effectively two channels in one pass, it can sting more than a single vertical tongue piercing but is over quickly. A dull ache sets in during the first evening; over-the-counter ibuprofen or paracetamol will usually manage the discomfort. Expect your tongue to feel thick and tender for forty-eight to seventy-two hours, making speech temporarily lisped.

Healing: a longer journey than you might think

At first glance the rich blood supply of the tongue suggests rapid healing, but a surface channel that slices across muscle fibres behaves differently from one that goes between them. External swelling typically resolves within ten to fourteen days, yet the interior may take two to three months to stabilise and considerably longer to become a sturdy, problem-free fistula. During that time the barbell moves every time you articulate a consonant, chew a sandwich or clench your jaw in your sleep. Constant micro-movement is one reason these piercings have a high rejection rate: the body slowly pushes the metal forward until only a sliver of tissue remains, at which point the jewellery must be removed or it will tear out.

After-care: more discipline than glamour

Proper snake-eyes after-care is identical to that for any oral piercing, only more critical because the stakes are higher. NHS literature recommends rinsing with warm saline or an alcohol-free antimicrobial mouthwash after every meal and before bed to flush away debris and calm inflammation. nhs.uk Cold water sipped little and often helps reduce swelling, and a soft-bristled toothbrush should be used twice daily, taking care not to knock the balls against the enamel. Smoking, alcohol and very spicy or acidic foods will all prolong soreness. Your piercer will ask you to return after two to three weeks to downsize the bar; do not miss that appointment, as an over-long stem can chip teeth or press painfully into the lower palate.

Typical UK pricing

Studios that still offer the service charge more than for a standard tongue piercing because of the extra risk and insurance premium. In most regional cities you will pay between £60 and £90, inclusive of implant-grade jewellery. Central London quotes can reach £120. Factor in £5 for a bottle of antiseptic mouthwash and perhaps another £10 for a spare curved barbell in case of early rejection.

The risks – and why many piercers refuse

Dentists and oral-health nurses list cracked enamel, gum recession and accelerated tooth wear as the most common complications of tongue jewellery. With snake eyes the hazards run deeper. The bar sits where it can repeatedly knock the lower incisors; a single bite at the wrong angle can shear a shard off an incisor. More subtly, the constant rubbing at the gum line encourages tissue to recede, exposing the sensitive root surfaces.

There is also a realistic threat to speech. Because the piercing fixes two muscle sets together, it can restrict the tongue’s natural elevation and lateral spread. Over time some clients develop a permanent lisp or experience difficulty with rapid-fire consonant sounds.

Standard infection dangers apply as well. The oral cavity is home to millions of bacteria; if an opportunistic pathogen colonises the piercing you could face an abscess, a systemic infection such as endocarditis, or—in rare, documented cases—brain or heart abscesses. NHS guidance warns anyone with a history of heart-valve disease or immune compromise to avoid elective piercings that break mucous membranes. Severe swelling can also obstruct the airway, especially overnight, making this placement unsuitable for anyone who suffers from sleep-apnoea or breathing disorders.

Who might safely consider it?

A healthy adult with a long, unrestricted tongue, excellent oral-hygiene habits and a willingness to remove the jewellery at the first sign of trouble is the best-case candidate. Even then, most reputable UK studios will offer alternatives—such as a pair of separate venom piercings placed parallel along the tongue—which achieve a similar visual without linking the muscles. If you smoke heavily, grind your teeth, wear braces, have a clipped frenulum, or rely on crystal-clear diction for work, a snake eyes piercing is unlikely to serve you well in the long term.

Choosing a studio (if you still want to go ahead)

Under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, English and Welsh premises must display an Environmental Health registration certificate. Look for digital autoclave logs, single-use needles opened in front of you, and an implant-grade jewellery range that meets the EU Nickel Directive. Because this placement carries extra controversy, ask the piercer why they are willing to perform it and what their success rate looks like over twelve months. An honest professional will discuss failure scenarios and show photographs of healed examples as well as the glamorous “day-one” snapshots.

Frequently asked questions and persistent myths

Some people think that using acrylic balls rather than metal eliminates dental damage, but the hardness of biting pressure still chips enamel; the only fool-proof fix is not to have the balls behind the teeth in the first place. Others believe that a shorter bar will be safer, yet downsizing too early can cause the tissue to swell over the jewellery and trap it beneath the surface. There is also a rumour that snake eyes enhances certain intimate experiences; no clinical evidence supports this claim, and many wearers report the opposite once the novelty fades.

Final thoughts

Snake eyes piercings sit at the very edge of safe body modification practice. Technically they are feasible, and some individuals wear them for years without obvious harm. But the biological design of the tongue means success is the exception, not the rule. Before you book, weigh the thrill of an eye-catching selfie against the possibility of speech changes, dental bills and a scar across the most agile muscle in your body. If in doubt, opt for two separate vertical piercings, or give your tongue a break altogether and let your individuality shine elsewhere.