For tongue piercing in Los Angeles, Apollo is a working studio at 2625 Main St in Santa Monica's Ocean Park neighborhood — not a mall kiosk. Bunny Vogt has been piercing here since 2019 and handles the bulk of our oral work. She starts every appointment with a real anatomy check: vein placement under the tongue, frenulum length, where the midline actually sits on your tongue. If your anatomy isn't safe for a standard barbell, she'll tell you before the needle ever comes out.
Apollo is needle-only, titanium-only. Initial jewelry is implant-grade titanium (ASTM F-136) straight barbells from Anatometal and NeoMetal, sized long to ride the swelling, then downsized for free once you're healed — the downsize matters for your teeth. The piercing takes seconds; healing takes weeks to months. Good jewelry, clean technique and steady aftercare are what turn a new piercing into one you will keep. Walk in 8am–8pm any day, or call (310) 331-0603 to book with Bunny directly.
Book Your Tongue Piercing
5000+ clients 
What sets Apollo apart for tongue piercings in Los Angeles
We examine vein placement and frenulum length before piercing. Large sublingual veins can make standard placement unsafe--we'll find the safest spot.
Tongue piercings swell significantly. We use longer barbells initially, then downsize once healed for comfort and dental safety.
Our piercers have extensive experience with tongue and oral piercings, ensuring precise midline placement every time.
We use only implant-grade titanium (ASTM F136) for tongue jewelry--biocompatible and safe for the mouth's environment.
Sterile single-use needles create cleaner piercings with less tissue trauma. Better healing outcomes than any other method.
Autoclave sterilization, single-use needles, and strict protocols protect your health at every step.
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 →Explore the range of tongue piercing options at our Los Angeles studio.
The classic midline tongue piercing through the center of the tongue. Bold, expressive, and the most popular tongue piercing.
Two piercings placed side by side on the tongue. A striking paired look that makes a bold statement.
Horizontal piercing through the tip of the tongue. Creates the appearance of two small eyes when the tongue is extended. See our dedicated <a href='/lp/snake-eyes-piercing-los-angeles/'>snake eyes piercing page</a> for honest counsel on risks.
Placed through the webbing under the tongue. More discreet than standard tongue piercings with a quick healing time.
Placed further back on the tongue for a more hidden look. Requires adequate tongue length and careful vein assessment.
Clear next step
Schedule your professional tongue piercing appointment
Recommended first step
Choose a facial or oral piercing appointment with clearer placement guidance.
Every piercing heals differently — here's what to expect
| Piercing Type | Location | Initial Healing | Full Healing | Pain Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 tongue piercing appointment at Apollo
We examine your tongue for vein placement, frenulum length, and overall suitability for tongue piercing.
You rinse with antiseptic mouthwash. Placement is marked on your tongue for your approval.
Using a sterile single-use needle and clamp, your piercer passes through quickly. A longer barbell is inserted for swelling.
A longer straight barbell is secured immediately. The extra length accommodates the significant swelling that follows.
Detailed oral aftercare instructions including mouthwash use, dietary recommendations, and swelling management.
Premium jewelry options for your tongue piercing
Transparent pricing — jewelry sold separately
Jewelry sold separately
Jewelry sold separately
Jewelry sold separately
Jewelry sold separately
Jewelry Upgrades: Premium jewelry upgrades available. Industrial Strength, Anatometal, and decorative ends priced separately based on selection.
Senior Piercer Senior Piercer
Bunny Vogt, a dedicated Senior Piercer at our studio since 2019, is known for her artistic eye and expertise in oral piercings. She excels at tongue piercings and ensures clients feel comfortable throughout the process.
Founder Master Piercer
Blue Mason, our Master Piercer and studio founder since 2004, brings over two decades of oral and body piercing expertise. His precision ensures every tongue piercing is placed safely, avoiding veins for optimal healing.
From consultation to aftercare, we're dedicated to delivering a safe, comfortable tongue piercing experience at our Los Angeles studio.
Tongue piercings require careful oral aftercare. Rinse with alcohol-free mouthwash after eating. Use saline rinse 2-3 times daily. Suck on ice chips to reduce swelling. Avoid hot, spicy, and acidic foods. Don't play with or click the jewelry against your teeth.
Follow the guidelines and your tongue piercing will heal beautifully in 4-6 weeks, with full healing in 2-3 months.
Book AppointmentExpect significant swelling for 3-5 days--tongue may double in size. Suck on ice chips. Stick to soft, cold foods. Rinse with alcohol-free mouthwash after eating. Speech may be temporarily affected.
Swelling largely resolved. Time to downsize to shorter jewelry--crucial for dental health. Gradually return to normal foods. Continue mouthwash routine.
Internal channel fully heals. Jewelry can be changed if desired. Visit us for professional jewelry changes. Continue gentle oral care.
Getting your tongue pierced at our Los Angeles shop is easy--you can choose what works best for you.
See What Our Satisfied Clients Have to Say
"Got my tongue pierced by Blue and the experience was amazing! Quick, professional, and hardly any swelling. Love my new piercing!"
"Bunny was so patient explaining aftercare for my tongue piercing. The healing has been smooth thanks to her guidance!"
"Best piercing studio in LA! They checked my anatomy carefully before piercing and the placement is perfect."
"Super clean environment and professional service. My tongue piercing healed faster than expected!"
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 →
Common questions about tongue piercings in Los Angeles
Tongue piercings rate moderate on pain scales (4-6 out of 10). The tongue muscle is dense but the piercing is very quick—usually just a second or two. Most clients describe a brief pinch followed by pressure. The anticipation is often worse than the actual piercing.
Tongue piercings have an initial healing period of 4-6 weeks, with full healing taking 2-3 months. The tongue heals faster than most piercings due to the rich blood supply in the mouth. However, complete internal healing takes the full 2-3 months.
Yes, but stick to soft, cool foods for the first few days. Avoid spicy, acidic, hot, or crunchy foods during initial healing. Good options include smoothies, yogurt, ice cream, mashed potatoes, and lukewarm soups. You can gradually return to normal eating as swelling subsides.
Initial swelling may cause temporary speech changes (slight lisp) for the first week or so. Once the swelling goes down and you're downsized to shorter jewelry, most people speak normally. Long-term speech effects are rare with properly placed piercings.
Standard tongue piercings use 14 gauge (1.6mm) jewelry. This size provides durability and comfort for this high-movement area. We start with a longer barbell to accommodate swelling, then downsize to a shorter bar after healing.
Not everyone is anatomically suited for tongue piercing. We check for vein placement—large veins running through the tongue can make piercing unsafe. We also assess frenulum length (the webbing under your tongue) and overall tongue size. Our Los Angeles piercers will evaluate your anatomy during consultation.
At Apollo Studio, tongue piercing starts at $100 for the piercing service. Jewelry is sold separately — we carry implant-grade titanium and premium options.
Avoid alcohol for at least 48-72 hours as it thins the blood and irritates the wound. Avoid smoking during the entire healing period if possible—it slows healing and introduces bacteria. If you must smoke, rinse with alcohol-free mouthwash afterward.
Apollo sits at 2625 Main St in Santa Monica, a block from the beach and easy to reach from anywhere on the Westside. Here's roughly how long it takes to get to us for tattoos and piercings:
There's metered street parking on Main Street and Ocean Park Blvd, plus a public lot on 2nd Street a short walk away. We recommend giving yourself an extra 10 minutes to park on weekends — Main Street gets busy with the farmers market and beach traffic. If you're running late, text us at the studio and we'll hold your appointment.
Walk-ins welcome or book your appointment today.
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