Is This Photograph of a Zippered Tongue Real?

Claim:

Photograph shows a split tongue body modification with a zipper installed.

Rating:

False

About this rating

The art of body modification may have progressed beyond basic tattoos and piercings, but not quite to the extent of a zippered tongue — at least, not as evidenced by the photograph displayed below.

Example:  

Just wondering if you've seen this photo - and if it's for real ...

As shown in the body art magazine Piel, the split tongue portion of the image (performed by Maryland body artist Zak Zito) is real, but the zipper (and second stud) were digitally added to the photograph, with the results submitted as an entry to a Worth1000.com PhotoShop contest: