Frog eyes piercings are a unique and trendy type of tongue piercing. In this piercing, a horizontal barbell goes through the tip of the tongue, with balls or gems on each end resembling a frog’s eyes. Read on to learn all about anatomy, procedure, pain, cost, jewelry, healing, risks, and aftercare for frog eyes piercings.

What are Frog Eyes Piercings?

A frog eyes piercing is a type of tongue piercing where a straight barbell horizontally pierces through the tip of the tongue. The ends of the barbell have rounded balls or gems that sit on top of the tongue, resembling a frog’s eyes. 

This piercing got its name from the way the jewelry looks on the tongue, like a frog peeking out from lily pads. It’s also sometimes called a tongue tip piercing or horizontal tongue piercing. Frog eyes piercings allow you to add a fun and unique flair to your look. The balls on the ends can be changed out to different colors and styles for a customized appearance.

Anatomy of a Frog Eyes Piercing 

To understand frog eyes piercings, it helps to know the anatomy involved. Key aspects include:

Technical Aspects

The frog eyes piercing passes horizontally through the thin webbed tissue at the very tip of the tongue. A straight barbell with balls or gems on both ends is used for the initial piercing. The length of the barbell depends on the thickness of the tongue but is often 16-18mm long. The balls typically range from 3-5mm in diameter.

Frenulum 

The frenulum is the thin band of tissue that connects the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. The frog eyes piercing passes through the frenulum for support. A longer barbell may be needed if the frenulum is thicker to prevent the jewelry from pressing into it.

Barbell 

A surgical steel barbell is the standard jewelry choice for initial frog eyes piercings. It holds the tongue tip open while allowing room for swelling. Once healed, the barbell can be changed to different styles, like a curved barbell or shorter barbell.

How Frog Eyes Piercings Are Done

Getting a frog eyes piercing is generally quick and straightforward when done by a professional piercer. The typical piercing procedure includes:

Consultation: The piercer will discuss placement, gauge, and jewelry options. They’ll examine your tongue anatomy to ensure it can support the piercing.

Marking: The entry and exit points are marked with a gentian violet surgical marker. Proper alignment is crucial for even placement.

Clamping: The tongue is gently clamped at the tip to hold it steady during piercing. The clamp protects the tongue from needle movement.

Piercing: Using a piercing needle, the piercing is done swiftly through the pre-marked points, perpendicular to the tongue surface.

Jewelry Insertion: The needle is removed and jewelry immediately inserted through the fresh piercing. The balls are screwed into place.

Cleaning: The piercer cleans away blood and applies an antiseptic mouthwash to finish.

Frog Eyes Piercing Video Guide

This video shows the process of getting a frog eyes piercing step-by-step:

Observing the procedure can help you know what to expect during your own piercing.

How Long Does It Take to Heal?

Frog eyes piercings typically take about 6-8 weeks to fully heal. However, healing time can vary:

• Initial healing of the tongue tissue takes around 4 weeks. During this time, swelling and tenderness gradually subside.
• Complete healing of the piercing tract through the frenulum takes a full 6-8 weeks. The tongue retains flexibility.
• Proper aftercare is vital throughout the healing period to prevent complications. 
• Refrain from changing the jewelry before 8 weeks, even if it seems healed sooner.

With appropriate care, the tongue usually heals quickly. But patience is required to allow the frenulum tissue to fully mend.

How Much Does it Hurt?

Pain levels for frog eyes piercings are usually moderate and temporary. Here’s what to expect: The piercing sensation itself only lasts a second. It feels like a quick, sharp pinch. The tongue may throb for 15-30 minutes afterward as the anesthesia wears off. Soreness and swelling kick in a few hours later and last for roughly 3-5 days. Pain levels peak on days 2-3 but gradually improve with ibuprofen and ice. By day 7-10, most residual discomfort or tightness subsides. Proper jewelry size, post-piercing care, and an experienced piercer help minimize pain. So while frog eyes piercings do hurt briefly, the pain fades fast and is very manageable.

How Much Does It Cost? 

The average cost of a frog eyes piercing ranges from $40-$100. However, several factors affect the price:

Location: Studios in major cities and urban areas often charge more. Popularity: Trendier piercings like frog eyes may come with a higher price tag. Experience of the Piercer: Reputable piercers with specialized training and expertise charge more. Quality of Jewelry: Higher-end metals and gemstones raise the initial jewelry cost.

Consider the cost as an investment in your safety and satisfaction. An experienced piercer using proper sterilization and quality jewelry is worth the price.

Jewelry Choices for Frog Eyes Tongue Piercing

The initial barbell worn after piercing should only be replaced after healing is complete. Then you can pick from:

Straight Barbells: These allow you to retain flexibility and movement. The classic style provides a subtle look. Curved Barbells: The curved shape can be more comfortable inside the mouth. The balls sit closer together on top of the tongue. Rings: Seamless rings add flair and allow the tongue to move freely. They come in various thicknesses (gauges). Materials: Surgical steel, niobium, titanium, and 14k gold are biocompatible options. Avoid plastic acrylics during healing.

Work with your piercer to select the right long-term jewelry style and material for comfort and versatility.

Risks and Complications of Frog Eyes Piercing

While relatively safe when done properly, frog eyes piercings do carry some risks, including:

Infection: Dirty equipment and poor aftercare can lead to infected tongue tissue, requiring antibiotics. Nerve Damage: The tongue contains delicate nerves that can potentially be damaged by the needle or shifting jewelry. Tooth Damage: Repeated contact between tongue jewelry and teeth can cause cracked enamel or gum recession over time. Migration: Improper placement may cause the balls to gradually migrate closer together or outwards over time. Rejection: In rare cases, the tongue rejects the jewelry, requiring removal. This usually results from low placement or pressure on the frenulum.

However, these complications are avoidable with an experienced piercer, proper technique, and diligent aftercare.

How to Avoid Complications

Follow these tips to keep your frog eyes piercing free of problems:

• Follow Aftercare Instructions: Closely adhere to your piercer’s directions on cleaning, jewelry handling, and check-ups. This promotes healing.
• Use Appropriate Jewelry: Wear only internally threaded, implant-grade metals during initial healing to prevent irritation.
• Visit Your Doctor: See your doctor or piercer at the first sign of infection for antibiotics or other treatment.

Healing Time and Aftercare Tips for Frog Eyes Tongue Piercing

Taking proper care of your new frog eyes piercing is vital for fast, healthy healing:

General Aftercare Tips

• Gently rinse your mouth with non-alcoholic mouthwash after eating or drinking for the first 4 weeks.
• Avoid spicy, salty, acidic, or hot foods and beverages which can irritate the piercing.
• Refrain from alcohol, smoking, and oral sexual contact during the initial healing period.
• Chew slowly and carefully on both sides of the mouth to avoid excessive jewelry movement.
• Take over-the-counter pain medication as needed for soreness during the first week.

Rinse with Saline

Gently rinse with pre-packaged saline solution or a sea salt mixture 3-4 times daily to clean the site. Avoid harsh mouthwashes.

Avoid Oral Irritants

Spicy seasonings, citrus fruits, tomato sauce, and alcohol can cause stinging. Have cold foods and non-acidic drinks instead.

Eat Soft Foods

Stick to lukewarm soft foods like smoothies, mashed potatoes, noodles, and cooked vegetables while healing. Avoid hard, crunchy foods.

Use Ice

Icing the area on and off for 10-15 minutes helps minimize initial swelling, inflammation, and discomfort.

Specific Aftercare Tips for Each Stage of Healing

Here are specific aftercare tips for each stage of healing:

Initial Stage (First 3-5 Days)

Take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed for soreness.

Rinse mouth with saline frequently, especially after eating.

Apply an ice pack to the tongue for 10-15 minutes to reduce swelling.

Stick to a soft food diet of broths, yogurt, oatmeal, eggs, etc.

Avoid hot, spicy, salty, or acidic foods that can cause stinging.

Refrain from smoking and oral sexual contact during this stage.

Intermediate Stage (2-4 Weeks)

Transition slowly back to normal foods, avoiding hard or crunchy items.

Swish gently with alcohol-free mouthwash after meals.

Soak piercing in saline solution for 5 minutes twice daily. 

Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen as needed for residual soreness.

Be diligent about oral hygiene and brushing to prevent plaque buildup.

Final Stage (1-2 Months) 

Rinse mouth with saline once a day and after eating/drinking.

Gradually reintroduce spicy, acidic, or hot foods.

The tongue should move freely without pain. See your piercer if tightness persists.

Schedule a check-up at 6-8 weeks for jewelry downsizing if desired.

Avoid oral contact until the piercing is fully healed.

Diligent aftercare and paying attention to your body facilitates smooth, problem-free healing.

Pros and Cons of Frog Eyes Piercings

Frog eyes piercings offer unique benefits but also have some drawbacks to consider:

Benefits

Distinctive style and appearance. The frog eye balls offer customizable flair.

Less damage to teeth and gums compared to lip piercings.

Usually heals faster than other oral piercings.

Can be easily hidden by placing balls underneath the tongue if needed.

Stimulation can enhance intimacy when healed.

Drawbacks

Risk of tooth chipping or enamel damage from jewelry over time.

Can temporarily affect speech, eating, and oral function.

Not suitable if you have an active job using your mouth frequently. 

Requires careful cleaning during healing to avoid infection.

May close up quickly if jewelry is removed.

Celebrities with Frog Eye Piercings

Celebs helping popularize the frogs eyes piercing trend include:

• Noah Cyrus
• Lil Xan
• Kylie Jenner
• Kehlani
• Meghan Fox
• Justin Bieber

Seeing how celebrities rock the piercing can provide style inspiration.

How to Style Frog Eye Piercing with Other Piercing

Frog eyes piercings pair well with additional oral and facial piercings like:

Other Tongue Piercings: A vertical tongue piercing behind the frog eyes adds depth. Or try a smiley piercing for a symmetrical look.

Lip Piercings: Labret and medusa piercings nicely complement the frog eyes below. Stacked lip rings also work well.

Ear Piercings: Statement dangly earrings draw attention upward. An industrial or tragus piercing provides balance.  

Mix and match to create a customized pierced look that suits your personal style.

FAQ’s

How Long Does It Take to Heal?

The frog eyes tongue piercing takes around 6-8 weeks to fully heal. The initial tongue piercing begins to heal within 4 weeks, but it takes a full 6-8 weeks for the tissue of the frenulum to heal completely. Be patient and avoid changing jewelry too soon to allow proper healing time.

How Painful Is It? 

The frog eyes piercing causes a quick, sharp pain during the actual piercing, lasting only a second. It may throb for 15-30 minutes afterwards as the numbing agent wears off. Over the next few days, expect moderate soreness and swelling, peaking in severity around days 2-3. The worst discomfort fades within about a week with proper aftercare.

Can I Change the Jewelry?

It’s crucial to avoid changing the original jewelry for at least the first 6-8 weeks during the initial healing phase. Even if it seems healed sooner, wait until your piercer confirms the piercing has fully stabilized before swapping out the barbell. After that, you can put in different style jewelry.

What are some of the best foods or drinks to have after getting frog eyes tongue piercing?

For the first few days, stick to a soft diet of foods like yogurt, smoothies, mashed potatoes, noodles, eggs, and non-acidic chilled beverages. Avoid spicy, hot, salty, or acidic foods that can irritate the fresh piercing.

How can I hide my frog eyes tongue piercing?

If needed, you can temporarily hide the frog eyes piercing balls by placing them on the underside of your tongue while they heal. Once healed, clear spacer bars are also an option for a more discreet look.

Conclusion

Frog eyes piercings give you a chance to hop on board with a truly unique piercing trend. With a reputable piercer and proper aftercare, you can heal an eye-catching frog eyes piercing safely and smoothly. This tongue piercing allows you to put your own spin on style.