There are many different types of extreme body modifications on the market but some of the weird body modifications come at a cost of potentially affecting your health. Please note that we do not offer these body modifications at Blue Banana and we always discuss a body piercing with the customer before beginning the piercing procedure to ensure they know the risks of each piercing. If you are curious about these rare body modifications then here is everything you need to know about tongue splitting, uvula piercing, and corset piercing.

Tongue Splitting

The craze for tongue splitting (bifurcation, forking) has become more popular in the last decade. In fact, many people hadnt heard of this form of body modification before the 90s.

This type of body modification refers to a tongue that has a snake-like design with a split at the end. With the increasing popularity of tongue forking, there has been plenty of controversies that have led to a number of countries and states making it illegal. The first state that made it illegal was Illinois. Following this many places have made it illegal without consent or have ruled that it has to be performed by a doctor or dentist. Other states that have enforced certain bans on tongue splitting include Texas, Delaware, and New York.

However great the controversy with tongue splitting people are still adamant on having it done, especially those who enjoy alternative fashion. There are many different ways for a tongue to be split but they are all best done by professionals. The three most common methods of tongue splitting procedure include:

Cauterizing: This can be done with an argon laser and is done by burning the tongue down the middle. This method causes less bleeding and makes it easier to heal, however it does need to be repeated to achieve the desired depth.

Cutting with a Scalpel: This method is done by cutting down the middle of the tongue and then stitching the open wounds or suturing them. The benefit of this method is that the two sections wont be able to heal back together and the split tongue will have a more natural look.

Tying Off: Unlike the other two methods, this can be performed by an individual themselves and was first done in 1996. This is done by getting a fishing line and putting it through an existing tongue piercing and clenching tightly. This may have to be done a number of times before the split is complete and can take from a few weeks to a few months. However, this method also heals easier and causes less blood loss.

All these methods of tongue splitting create the same end effect and all take time to heal. Once healed, individuals can learn to move the two sides separately and control each one. They can also conceal the split by pushing the sides together. Please note we do NOT offer this body modification at our Blue Banana piercing studios and consider it to be a potentially dangerous procedure that should only be done by a health professional. We especially do not support performing tongue splitting on yourself due to complications that can be caused by an unsterile environment or potential damage to the nerves and veins in the tongue.

Corset Piercing

Corset piercing is the least rare piercing on this list and can be done safely by an experienced piercer. The main risk of corset piercing is that the piercings will reject or migrate, especially when the jewellery is threaded with ribbon as this can put pressure on the rings. The most common placements for corset piercing are the back, wrist, neck, chest, and leg. Corset piercings are usually done with a BCR or surface bar.

This piercing was first seen in the late 1990. and is closely associated with the BDSM lifestyle. Often performed for a special occasion such as a photoshoot or event, this piercing is certainly not for the faint of heart!

The art of corset piercing is a procedure done to simulate the look of a laced corset. Most commonly done on the back, the piercings are usually placed in two bilateral symmetrical rows, mimicking the eyelet holes of a real corset, typically performed with anything from four piercings (two per row) upwards.

The corset piercing can be placed in the following locations:

Corset Piercing Back : This is the most popular placement for a corset piercing. Typically located from the nape of the neck to the lower back for a full-scale corset piercing or placed across the shoulder blades, at the waist, or at the lower back for a smaller version.

: This is the most popular placement for a corset piercing. Typically located from the nape of the neck to the lower back for a full-scale corset piercing or placed across the shoulder blades, at the waist, or at the lower back for a smaller version. Corset Piercing Leg : Common placements include the back of the thigh, the front of the thigh or the side of the ankle.

: Common placements include the back of the thigh, the front of the thigh or the side of the ankle. Corset Piercing Neck : Usually placed either at the back of the neck or on the throat, this is a relatively unusual location for this piercing.

: Usually placed either at the back of the neck or on the throat, this is a relatively unusual location for this piercing. Corset Piercing Arm: Corset piercings can be placed in many locations on the arm, including the wrist, the forearm, the bicep, the inner arm, and the elbow.

Due to the complex nature of this piercing, many piercing studios will not perform it. As such, we strongly advise that you research your options fully and source a licensed, professional piercer who is both highly experienced and completely comfortable with performing the procedure.

Once you and your piercer have chosen the most anatomically suitable location and agreed upon the placement of each piercing, the area will then be cleaned with an antibacterial solution. The piercer will mark out where the piercings will be, then the piercings are carried out using a sterilised hollow needle. The jewellery of your choice will be threaded through the piercing, with the process repeating for all the marked places.

It is possible to achieve a permanent corset piercing, although it requires a great deal of attention and care. To achieve permanence, multiple surface piercings or microdermal piercings must be performed to create the desired look either all at once or in stages to help with the healing process. However, this is no guarantee of permanence. To date, there has been some success in retaining permanent piercings by using surface bars or tubing, which naturally move with the body, imposing less stress on the piercings.

The pain experienced when getting a corset piercing is comparable to that of any other surface piercing. Some locations are naturally more painful than others (the throat, inner arm, and ankle are said to be among the most painful places to have pierced), though due to the number of piercings being performed all at once, this may result in a more painful experience even when performed in areas considered to be less painful. It's worth bearing in mind that everyone experiences pain differently, so this information is purely anecdotal.

Some throbbing, bruising, swelling, and bleeding is to be expected following any piercing, though if you experience any abnormal levels of pain or discomfort, it's important to seek medical attention immediately.

Corset piercings are notoriously troublesome to heal, with only a handful of people experiencing complete healing. The vast majority of recipients experience issues with migration and rejection, resulting in the piercing becoming relatively temporary (removed within 1. weeks of being done) through necessity.

It is important not to lace the piercings until youre healed. Whilst complete healing is very rare, it is not recommended to attempt lacing your corset piercing until your piercer has examined the piercings and given the go-ahead. Premature lacing can cause tearing to the piercing sites which in turn, can potentially lead to infection.

Once you retire a corset piercing, you may experience a little scarring. If your piercings were subject to micro-tears or injury, the resultant scarring may be more apparent.

Uvula Piercing

Uvula piercing is a type of hidden piercing for those who are super serious about their body mods. Your uvula is the projection at the back of your throat. It is possible to get this part of the body pierced, creating an almost invisible piercing that is usually incredibly personal to the one receiving it.

With uvula piercings, its a common misconception that there might be the danger of inhaling your body jewellery. This doesnt hold true however swallowing can be a greater danger as the muscles push together during each act of swallowing. You also dont need to worry about damaging your uvula as this area of the body can be removed to relieve snoring problems.

If you want to get this rare piercing then you will need to find an experienced piercer who has carried our uvula piercings before. This is a piercing that requires you to remain calm and fight what might be a very strong urge to gag during the piercing. If you dont know if you could do this then a uvula piercing isnt for you as the risks of damage can be high if you gag whilst the needle is inserted.

This oral piercing is seen as a medal of honour for body modification enthusiasts though it can be seen as very strange for those unfamiliar with piercing as it is almost invisible. Uvula piercings have earned their place as an extreme body modification.

Healing is fast at two to three weeks but this is obviously not a choice to be taken lightly. A problem that can develop with this oral piercing is a build-up of plaque but, generally, an anti-plaque mouthwash will help a great deal.

Obviously the gauge and jewellery for this piercing will be very small but those with a uvula piercing still report feeling their piercing resting inside their throat, so involuntary gagging can be a problem during initial healing. The uvula piercing is done with a BCR.

If you are considering having an extreme body piercing make sure you carefully consider all the implications to your lifestyle and health that your new piercing could cause. You may want to consider a less extreme body piercing option. If you do have your heart set on a rare body piercing then always ensure you see a piercer that is qualified and experienced in performing these types of body modification.

Please Note: Blue Banana piercing information is based on knowledge from our experiences as one of the UK's top piercing studios. All details provided should be read alongside professional advice. Please see our full Piercing Articles Disclaimer, here.