Is the Frog Eyes Piercing Safe to Get?

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Piercing expert Brian Thompson explains the dangers of the frog eyes tongue piercing

Co-authored by Brian Thompson and Devin McSween

Last Updated: November 20, 2025 Fact Checked

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• What is a frog eyes piercing?
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• Is it safe?
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• Risks
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• Alternatives
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• Key Takeaways
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• Video

|Show more |Show less

The frog eyes piercing is a trendy tongue piercing that’s placed horizontally through the middle of your tongue. But, is it actually safe to get? Unfortunately, most piercers agree that the frog eyes piercing causes more harm than good. In this article, we’ll tell you why it’s not a great idea to get a frog eyes piercing and give you some alternative options that are much safer. We also spoke with piercing specialists for advice on getting a tongue piercing.

Should you get a frog eyes piercing?

Piercing expert Brian Thompson says the frog eye piercing isn’t safe to get. The piercing, which is placed horizontally through the right and left sides of your tongue, can cause serious damage to your teeth. As an alternative, consider getting a venom piercing or a traditional midline piercing.

Steps

Section 1 of 5:

What is a frog eyes piercing?

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1. 
   A frog eyes piercing is a horizontal tongue piercing. Thompson says that a frog eyes piercing is a type of surface piercing that goes horizontally through the tongue. The piercing is typically placed closer to the center of the tongue than the tip. It’s done with a straight barbell, with one end going through the right side of the tongue and the other through the left side of the tongue. The two ends of the jewelry are visible and resemble the eyes of a frog (hence the name!), says piercing expert Priscilla Torres.

   • Is the frog eyes piercing the same as the snake eyes piercing? No, but the piercings are similar. The snake eyes piercing goes horizontally through the tip of the tongue and is usually done with a curved barbell. One end of the jewelry is on the right side of the tongue and the other is on the left side.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Brian Thompson is a body piercing expert, as well as the CEO, proprietor, and Chief Piercing Officer of The World Famous Body Electric Tattoo in Los Angeles.

   Priscilla Torres is a piercing expert and owner of The Piercing Bar with over 16 years of experience.

   Trinity Kesterke is a piercing expert and owner of AVA Piercing with over 9 years of experience.

   Stephanie Anders is a piercing specialist and the owner of Royal Heritage Tattoo and Piercing with over 10 years of experience.

   Sasha Blue is a professional body piercer and owner of 13 Bats Tattoo and Piercing Studio with over 20 years of experience.
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Section 2 of 5:

Are frog eyes piercings safe?

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1. 
   No, it isn’t safe, and most piercers advise against getting it. While frog eyes piercings look pretty cool, professional piercers agree that they come with a lot of risks that make them a bad idea to get, says piercing expert Trinity Kesterke. Similar to snake eyes piercings, frog eyes piercings can cause tooth and gum damage, and even lead to issues talking and eating.

   • We’ll go more in-depth about the risks of getting a frog eyes piercing in the section below.
   • Most reputable piercers will refuse to do frog eyes piercings because they’re so unsafe. “I stopped piercing tongues because it was so destructive to my clients’ teeth,” says Thompson. “I don’t want to do anything that’s going to negatively impact [someone’s] body.”
   • The state of Oregon completely bans piercers from doing horizontal tongue piercings.
   • If you’re thinking about getting a piercing, piercing specialist Stephanie Anders says it’s super important that you do your research and find a reputable studio to go to. Make sure the studio is licensed, follows cleanliness protocols, and is experienced in the piercing you want to get.

Section 3 of 5:

Frog Eyes Piercing Risks

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1. 
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   Frog eyes piercings can lead to issues with talking and eating. Piercing the tongue horizontally pins the two halves of the tongue together, which can prevent the muscles from moving properly. This can make it hard to talk clearly, as well as difficult to bite, chew, and swallow food.

   • “[Frog eyes] can change the way you talk,” agrees Thompson. “If the piercer doesn’t place it properly and places it too close to the tip of your tongue, it can change the way you articulate your words.”
2. 
   2
   Frog eyes piercings can cause teeth and gum damage. While all tongue piercings carry some risk of damaging your teeth and gums, horizontal piercings like the frog eyes are more likely to cause issues, says Torres. The jewelry can rub against your teeth, causing chips or cracks, and your gums, which can lead to erosion.

   • Thompson agrees, saying that these piercings can damage the enamel on your teeth, and may also lead to cracked molars or chipped front teeth. They can also harbor bacteria and plaque, he adds.
3. 
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   Frog eyes piercings are prone to migration or rejection. Surface piercings like the frog eyes are pierced straight through the top layer of the tissue, rather than through a designated back and front. This makes them prone to migration, or shifting from their original placement. Your body might even reject the piercing and push it all the way out of your tongue.

   • Migration and rejection can sometimes cause scars, too.
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Section 4 of 5:

Safer Tongue Piercing Alternatives

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1. 
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   Venom piercing The venom piercing gives you a similar look to the horizontal piercing, and it’s much safer. It’s technically 2 vertical piercings that are placed side by side vertically through the tongue, usually to the right and left of the center line, says Torres. The piercing is done with straight barbell jewelry.

   • According to professional body piercer Sasha Blue, most tongue piercings heal within 4 to 6 weeks.
   • To keep your piercing clean and infection-free while it heals, Anders says to swish your mouth with an alcohol-free mouthwash after each time you eat.
   • While your tongue heals, Anders also recommends eating soft foods while avoiding foods and drinks that can cause irritation and worsen swelling, like spicy, salty, and citrusy foods.
   • Blue adds that alcoholic drinks can promote swelling, so it’s best to avoid them while your tongue piercing is healing, too.
   • To reduce swelling, Anders recommends eating cold foods and drinks, like smoothies and ice cream.
2. 
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   Midline piercing The midline piercing is always a great choice, as it's the traditional tongue piercing. This piercing goes vertically through the middle line of the tongue, and is typically placed closer to the center. It’s also pierced with a straight barbell.

   • Avoid touching, twisting, or moving your piercing as much as possible to help it heal properly. Blue says, “Every time you touch it, you can irritate it and make it take so much longer to heal, and potentially heighten the chances of complications.”
   • If you notice pain, redness, burning, or pus coming out of your piercing, visit your doctor immediately, as this can be a sign that it’s infected. They’ll likely prescribe you antibiotics to treat the infection.
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Section 5 of 5:

Key Takeaways

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1. 
   It’s not a good idea to get a frog eyes piercing. While the frog eyes piercing certainly looks cool, unfortunately, it’s not safe to get. The horizontal surface piercing can make it difficult to eat and talk, and it can cause tooth and gum damage, notes Kesterke. Plus, it’s prone to migration and rejection. Instead, go with a safer tongue piercing option, like the venom or midline piercing.

   • Only get piercings from reputable piercing studios. If a studio tells you they’re happy to give you a frog eyes piercing or other horizontal tongue piercing, go to a different place.

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