Apollo Tattoo Studio performs snake eyes piercings in Los Angeles with an honesty most studios skip. A snake eyes piercing is a single horizontal barbell through the tip of the tongue — and it carries genuine, documented risks: tooth chipping, gum recession, and higher migration than standard tongue piercings. Many studios refuse this placement outright. We don't refuse, but we will tell you the truth.
Our Los Angeles snake eyes piercers start with a free consultation: we assess your tongue anatomy, dental alignment, and lifestyle, then walk you through every risk before piercing. If your anatomy isn't suited or the risks outweigh your wants, we'll say so and recommend a safer alternative like a standard tongue piercing. If you're an informed candidate, you'll get expert technique, implant-grade titanium starter jewelry, and a mandatory free downsize visit at 4-6 weeks. Informed consent is the service.
Book Your Snake Eyes Consultation
5000+ clients 
What sets Apollo apart for snake eyes piercings in Los Angeles — informed consent first
Snake eyes piercings carry well-documented tooth and gum risks. We'll walk you through every risk before piercing — and decline politely if your anatomy or dental situation isn't right for it.
We recommend bioplastic or low-profile flat ends instead of standard beads to minimize tooth contact. Smaller is safer for this placement.
Free 4-6 week follow-up to swap your starter barbell for a shorter post once swelling resolves. Reduces the gap between bead and tooth surface — dramatically safer long-term.
We map your tongue tip thickness, dental alignment, and gum position before piercing. Many candidates aren't suitable for snake eyes — we'll tell you straight.
Implant-grade titanium (ASTM F136) starter barbells with bioplastic upgrade options. Biocompatible, safe for the mouth's environment, zero metal reactions.
Single-use sterile needles opened in front of you, autoclave-sterilized tools, EPA-registered disinfectants, bloodborne pathogen certified piercers.
Apollo's Premium Jewelry Partner
Handmade in Los Angeles since 1996. Lifetime guarantee. Implant-grade gold, platinum, and titanium. Over 3,000 original designs in our case — ask your piercer for a tour.
See the BVLA story →Snake eyes is one of several tongue piercing options — compare risk profiles before choosing.
A single horizontal barbell through the tip of the tongue. Two visible beads resembling snake eyes when extended. High-risk placement requiring honest consultation about tooth wear, gum recession, and migration.
Classic vertical midline tongue piercing. Lower-risk alternative to snake eyes — most common tongue placement and what we often recommend for first-time tongue piercings.
Two vertical piercings side-by-side on the tongue. Bold paired look. Lower dental risk than snake eyes but still requires careful jewelry selection.
Placed through the webbing under the tongue. Discreet, often a better choice than snake eyes for clients seeking an oral piercing with lower risk profile.
Placed further back on the tongue for a more hidden look. Requires adequate tongue length and careful vein assessment.
Clear next step
Schedule your free anatomy consultation — informed consent before any needle
Recommended first step
Reserve a body piercing appointment with jewelry, placement, and timing confirmed.
Every piercing heals differently — here's what to expect
| Piercing Type | Location | Initial Healing | Full Healing | Pain Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snake Eyes | Horizontal tongue tip | 4-8 weeks | 4-6 months | 6-7/10 |
| Tongue | Center of tongue | 4-6 weeks | 2-3 months | 4-5/10 |
| Smiley | Upper lip frenulum | 4-8 weeks | 2-3 months | 3-4/10 |
5000+ clientsWhat to expect during your snake eyes piercing appointment at Apollo
Before anything else, we assess whether snake eyes is right for your anatomy, dental health, and lifestyle. If it's not, we'll recommend a safer alternative.
We walk you through every documented risk — tooth chipping, enamel wear, gum recession, migration — so your consent is fully informed.
If you're cleared to proceed, we mark the tip of your tongue with the precise entry and exit points and review with you in a mirror.
Sterile single-use needle, hospital-grade autoclaved tools, implant-grade titanium starter barbell sized for severe swelling.
Free 4-6 week visit to swap your starter barbell for a shorter post once swelling resolves — essential for protecting teeth and gums long-term.
Jewelry choice matters more for snake eyes than almost any other piercing
We discuss snake eyes piercing pricing during your free in-person consultation — alongside an honest anatomy and dental assessment.
Snake eyes piercings are advanced placements that require individual consultation. During your free consult we'll evaluate your tongue anatomy, dental alignment, and lifestyle fit — then quote pricing for the piercing service and recommended starter jewelry. Jewelry is always sold separately so you can choose between standard titanium beads, lower-profile flat ends, or bioplastic ends based on your dental risk tolerance.
Senior Piercer Senior Piercer
Bunny Vogt, a Senior Piercer at our Los Angeles studio since 2019, takes oral piercings seriously — especially advanced placements like snake eyes that carry real risk. She'll give you honest anatomical counsel before piercing and refuse politely if your anatomy isn't a fit.
Founder Master Piercer
Blue Mason, our Master Piercer and studio founder since 2004, performs snake eyes piercings only after a thorough anatomical and dental consultation. His 20+ years of experience means he knows when to perform a piercing — and when to honestly recommend against it.
From honest consultation through downsize visit, we're committed to making snake eyes piercings as safe as this challenging placement allows — and to telling you the truth if you're not a candidate.
Snake eyes aftercare is more demanding than standard tongue piercings. Rinse with alcohol-free mouthwash after every meal, snack, and drink. Use sterile saline rinse 2-3 times daily. Ice chips for the dramatic swelling of week one. Stick to soft, cool foods for at least two weeks. Never click jewelry against teeth — train yourself out of any contact habit.
Follow the protocol and return for your free 4-6 week downsize visit — that single appointment is the most important step in protecting your dental health long-term. Initial healing in 4-8 weeks, full healing in 4-6 months.
Book AppointmentExpect dramatic swelling for 5-7 days — tongue tip may double in size. Suck on ice chips. Stick to soft, cold foods. Rinse with alcohol-free mouthwash after eating and saline 2-3x daily. Significant lisp is normal during this phase.
Swelling largely resolved. Return to Apollo for your free 4-6 week downsize visit — this is non-negotiable for dental safety. Gradually reintroduce normal foods. Continue mouthwash after every meal.
Full internal healing typically at 4-6 months. Jewelry can be safely changed for upgraded ends. Continue gentle oral care indefinitely — monitor teeth and gums for any wear and consult your dentist annually.
Snake eyes piercings require a full consultation — we strongly recommend booking ahead rather than walking in.
See What Our Satisfied Clients Have to Say
"Came in wanting snake eyes and Blue gave me the most honest consult of any studio I'd visited. We talked through the dental risks for 20 minutes before he agreed I was a candidate. Two months in and zero issues — I'm glad I went somewhere that treats it seriously."
"Apollo did my snake eyes piercing after three other shops refused. Blue was upfront — he walked me through everything that could go wrong, then did the piercing perfectly when I confirmed I understood. Healing was rough for two weeks then totally fine."
"Bunny actually talked me OUT of snake eyes after looking at my tongue and tooth alignment. Recommended a standard tongue piercing instead. I appreciated the honesty — felt like she cared more about me than the sale."
"Got my snake eyes done here last year and downsized to a bioplastic ends piece per Blue's recommendation. No tooth damage so far. Aftercare guidance was thorough."
"The team at Apollo are pros. They didn't refuse my snake eyes piercing but they made absolutely sure I knew the risks. Followed up at my downsize visit and it healed great."
5000+ clients
Santa Monica, CA
Apollo was founded by Blue Mason in 2007. With 20+ years of body art experience, Blue brings master-level expertise to every piece. Read Blue's story →
Honest answers to common questions about snake eyes piercings in Los Angeles
A snake eyes piercing is a single horizontal barbell that passes through the tip of the tongue, creating two visible bead ends that resemble snake eyes when you stick out your tongue. Unlike a standard tongue piercing (single vertical hole), the snake eyes pierces side-to-side at the tongue's tip.
Honest answer: snake eyes piercings carry well-documented risks — high rates of tooth chipping and enamel wear from the front beads, gum recession on the lower front teeth, migration and rejection because the piercing crosses muscle fibers, and impaired tongue movement. Many studios refuse outright. At Apollo we don't refuse blanket, but we'll have an honest conversation about whether your anatomy and lifestyle make it a sensible choice — and we'll counsel you against it if we believe the risks outweigh your wants. Informed consent matters.
Snake eyes piercings rate 6-7 out of 10 on pain scales — higher than a standard tongue piercing because the needle crosses dense tongue tip muscle fibers. It's quick (a couple seconds) but more intense. Swelling afterward is significant and lasts longer than a midline tongue piercing.
Initial healing for a snake eyes piercing takes 4-8 weeks, with full internal healing in 4-6 months. Healing is slower than a standard tongue piercing because the piercing crosses muscle fibers, which the body sometimes resists. Expect extended swelling for the first 2 weeks.
Yes — risk is genuinely high. The two front beads sit directly against your lower front teeth and gums. Over months and years, this contact can chip enamel, wear tooth surfaces, and cause gum recession. Smaller bead sizes and bioplastic ends reduce risk somewhat but don't eliminate it. This is one of the biggest reasons Apollo openly counsels some clients against this piercing.
Expect a noticeable lisp for the first 2-3 weeks while swelling is severe and your tongue learns new movement patterns. Most clients adapt within a month and speak normally afterward. Some people experience persistent minor speech changes long-term because the horizontal placement restricts natural tongue tip movement.
Implant-grade titanium straight barbell, 14 gauge, starter length appropriate for severe swelling. We strongly recommend bioplastic or small flat-back ends rather than standard beads to minimize tooth contact. Downsizing to a shorter, lower-profile barbell at 4-6 weeks is essential for dental safety.
Stick to soft, cool foods for the first week — smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal, soft pasta. Avoid spicy, salty, acidic, crunchy, or very hot foods for 2-3 weeks. Cut everything small and chew slowly to avoid biting down on the new piercing. Rinse with alcohol-free mouthwash after every meal.
If a snake eyes piercing rejects, migrates, or you decide to remove it, healing the holes is usually straightforward — remove the jewelry, rinse with saline and mouthwash, and the holes typically close within days to weeks (mouth tissue heals quickly). Some minor scarring may remain on the tongue tip. We can assess and discuss removal anytime during a free follow-up.
Apollo requires clients to be 18+ for oral piercings including snake eyes piercings. We follow APP (Association of Professional Piercers) guidelines and California regulations. Valid government-issued photo ID required at appointment.
We'll have an honest consultation first. If your tongue anatomy is suitable (sufficient tip thickness, no major vessels in the path) and you understand the dental and migration risks fully, yes — we'll perform the piercing safely with the best technique and jewelry available. If we believe the risks outweigh your wants based on your specific anatomy or dental health, we'll tell you. Honesty is the service, not just the procedure.
Eat a substantial meal an hour before. Hydrate well. Avoid alcohol, blood thinners, and caffeine for 24 hours. Brush teeth thoroughly and rinse with alcohol-free mouthwash before arriving. Bring photo ID. Plan to take it easy that evening — significant swelling will start within hours. Stock soft foods at home for the first week.
We welcome clients from across the greater Los Angeles area.
Cities:
Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Venice, Culver City, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Westwood, Hollywood, Downtown LA
Book a free consultation — we'll be honest about whether snake eyes is right for you.
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