Helix piercing has an influence on body modification trends giving people a special way to show their personal style with ear jewelry. This cool piercing sits on the upper outer cartilage of the ear and lots of people like it because it’s flexible and looks great. You can get one two, or even three helix piercings, so there are plenty of choices to match what you want and create your own unique style.
This guide tells you all you need to know about helix piercings. We’ll look at what a helix piercing is, explain how it’s done, and give you key tips to take care of it for proper healing. We’ll also talk about different ways to style your helix piercing, including jewelry options and ideas for where to put it. If you’re thinking about getting a helix piercing or already have one, this full guide will give you useful info to make smart choices about your ear piercing journey.
What is a Helix Piercing?
Definition and location
A helix piercing is an ear piercing that goes through the upper cartilage of the ear along the outer edge. This fashionable type of body modification has become popular because of its unique spot and many styling choices. The helix is the cartilage area that runs along the curved outer rim and top of the ear ending where it meets the face’s side.
Unlike regular lobe piercings, helix piercings go through the thicker ear cartilage, which has an impact on both the healing process and the kinds of jewelry you can wear. The spot of a helix piercing lets you choose from many earring types making it a favorite for people who want to create their own ear stack.
Types of helix piercings
Helix piercings come in several forms, each with its own unique look and spot on the ear:
- Single helix: This piercing sits in the upper outer cartilage close to the ear’s edge. It’s a timeless pick that goes well with many jewelry types.
- Double helix: This involves two holes in the upper outer cartilage. They line up one above the other. People who like to layer their earrings often choose this style.
- Triple helix: This builds on the double helix idea. It has three piercings in a line along the outer cartilage.
- Forward helix: People also call this an anti-helix piercing. You’ll find it opposite the standard helix, on the front part of the ear where it meets the face.
- Mid helix: Piercers place this one in the middle area of the outer ear right across from the tragus.
- Flat helix: This piercing sits on the flat upper part of the ear next to the standard helix giving a different spot to pierce.
How popular and good-looking they are
Helix piercings have grown more popular in recent years becoming a top choice for fashion lovers and piercing fans. Their flexibility and good looks have made them a favorite for people who want to add some edginess to their style without going too far.
The rise in popularity of helix piercings stems from several reasons:
- Personalization: Helix piercings offer many options to customize, with different placement choices and jewelry types available.
- Adaptability: People can style them to fit both laid-back and dressy looks making them suitable for various events and personal tastes.
- Statement piece: Helix piercings can act as a subtle accent or make a bold statement. This depends on the jewelry you pick and how many piercings you get.
- Fashion-forward: Ear piercings are all the rage right now. Helix piercings have become a stylish way for people to show off their unique personality and taste.
- Low commitment: Helix piercings don’t ask for much compared to other ways people change their bodies. You can switch them up or take them out if you want to.
Helix piercings have become more popular because they look cool and different, but they might not be the best choice if you’ve never had a piercing before. These piercings go through cartilage, so they need extra care and take longer to heal than ear lobe piercings.
The Helix Piercing Process
Finding a good piercer
To have a safe and successful helix piercing, you need to pick a piercer you can trust. It’s key to find someone who knows the right techniques and keeps everything clean. When you’re looking for a good piercer, think about these things:
- Certification: Find piercers with Association of Professional Piercers (APP) certification or who have finished an apprenticeship.
- Sterilization methods: Make sure the studio has an autoclave sterilizer for their tools and keeps instruments in sealed pouches.
- Needle use: Stay away from places that use piercing guns, as they can harm the cartilage. A trustworthy piercer will always pick sterile hollow needles.
- Reviews and portfolio: Look at online feedback and the piercer’s work samples to understand their expertise and how happy their clients are.
- Cleanliness: The studio should look and smell fresh, with good hygiene practices in place.
What to expect during the procedure
The helix piercing procedure is quick and simple when done by a pro. Here’s what to expect:
- Talk it over: The piercer will chat with you about where you want it and what jewelry you like.
- Mark the spot: They’ll put a dot where the piercing will go making sure it’s in the right place.
- Clean up: They’ll scrub the area well with something to kill germs.
- Make the hole: With a hollow needle, the piercer will poke through in one quick move.
- Put in the jewelry: They’ll slide the first piece of jewelry into the new hole.
Pain levels differ for each person, but many find that waiting for the piercing causes more worry than the actual process. The piercing happens fast, with most people feeling a quick sting followed by some pressure.
Picking your first jewelry
Choosing the right starting jewelry plays a key role in proper healing and comfort. Here are some main things to think about:
- Material: Go for top-quality, body-safe materials like implant-grade titanium or 14k-18k gold. These materials lower the chance of allergic reactions and problems.
- Style: For initial healing, a stud or barbell works better than a ring. These styles move less and cut down on the risk of irritation.
- Size: The jewelry should be a bit longer than needed to make room for swelling. Your piercer will help you pick the right size.
- Threading: Go for internally threaded jewelry, as it’s easier on the new piercing when you put it in or take it out.
- Future choices: You’ll need to keep the first jewelry in for a few months, but it’s smart to talk about future style options with your piercer.
Keep in mind, a good piercer will walk you through everything, from picking jewelry to caring for your piercing afterwards. They should be ready to answer your questions and help with any issues while you heal.
Helix Piercing Aftercare
Cleaning routine
Keeping a helix piercing clean plays a key role in its healing. To keep it clean, you need to wash your hands well with antibacterial soap before you touch or clean the piercing. You should soak it in saline solution twice a day. You can use a store-bought saline rinse or make your own with non-iodized sea salt and warm water.
To clean the piercing, use sterile gauze or cotton balls to put the saline solution on it . Don’t use harsh chemicals like alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or antibiotic creams. These can bother your skin and slow down healing. Just stick to the saline solution for the best results.
When cleaning, take care not to move the jewelry too much, as this may harm the skin around it and cause problems. After cleaning, use a clean paper towel to dry the area. This stops moisture from building up, which can draw in bacteria.
Avoiding infection
To reduce the chance of infection in a helix piercing, you need to keep the area clean and dry. Don’t touch the piercing if you haven’t washed your hands, and stay out of pools hot tubs, or lakes while it’s healing.
It’s also crucial to keep hair products, makeup, and other things that might irritate your skin away from where you got pierced. If your hair is long, you might want to tie it back so it doesn’t get tangled in your jewelry. Also, try not to sleep on the ear you got pierced, because this can make it sore and slow down healing.
Keep an eye out for signs that it might be infected, like more redness, swelling, pain, or green or yellow stuff coming out. If you notice any of these, you should talk to a professional piercer or a doctor to get advice.
Healing timeline
A helix piercing’s healing time differs for each person, but it takes 3 to 6 months to heal . Some people might need up to 9 months or even a year for full healing.
In the first few weeks, which make up the initial healing stage, you’ll see some redness, swelling, and feel some tenderness. These symptoms should go away as healing moves forward. But remember, you need to stick to your aftercare routine for the whole time it takes to heal.
Even when the piercing looks healed on the outside, it might still be healing on the inside. Because of this, you should keep cleaning it for up to a year after you get it done.
Keep in mind that each person’s body heals in its own way so you need to be patient and stick to your aftercare routine. If you’re worried about how it’s healing, don’t be afraid to ask your piercer or a doctor for advice.
Styling Your Helix Piercing
Jewelry options
Helix piercings let you choose from many jewelry types to match your style. When you first get pierced most piercers tell you to use studs or barbells made of top-notch materials like 14k solid gold or implant-grade titanium. These metals don’t cause allergies and are less likely to irritate your skin.
After your piercing heals, you have even more styling choices. People often pick:
- Studs: You can go for simple designs or fancy patterns to make your helix piercing stand out or blend in.
- Hoops: You’ll find different sizes and types of hoops, like seamless rings and captive bead rings, to give your look a timeless or cutting-edge feel.
- Barbells: Curved or straight barbells give you options and can have gemstones or fancy ends.
- Chains: Thin chains linking several piercings have become popular for people with multiple helix piercings.
Mixing and matching with other ear piercings
You can combine helix piercings with other ear piercings to make your own special look. Some common pairings include:
- Lobe and helix: Putting helix piercings together with regular lobe piercings creates a balanced and eye-catching arrangement.
- Multiple helix piercings: Double or triple helix piercings give you more chances to style and add matching jewelry pieces.
- Forward helix and standard helix: This combo creates an eye-catching flow along the outer ear edge.
- Helix and conch: Mixing these two cartilage piercings can make a bold contrast when you use different jewelry styles.
When you mix metals, try to create a unified look by picking pieces that go well together. For example, you could match a yellow gold helix stud with white gold earrings in your lobes. Using different sizes and styles of jewelry can add depth and make your ear styling more interesting to look at.
Trendy helix piercing looks
Current helix piercing styling trends include:
- Minimalist designs: Simple studs or small hoops that look subtle yet elegant.
- Constellation piercings: Several small studs placed to look like star patterns.
- Mismatched earrings: Different jewelry styles in multiple piercings to create an eclectic look.
- Nature-inspired pieces: Jewelry with plant or sky themes, like stars, moons, or flower designs.
- Gemstone accents: Colorful or sparkly stones to add glamor to your helix piercing.
- Ear cuffs: You can try these to see how multiple piercings look without getting extra holes.
Keep in mind that when you style your helix piercing, you should think about what you like how you live, and how it’s healing. Make sure to use good jewelry and take care of it so your piercing stays healthy and lasts a long time.
Conclusion
Helix piercings let people show off their style and make their look one-of-a-kind. This guide has talked about the key parts of getting and taking care of a helix piercing, from picking a good piercer to looking after it . The many types of jewelry and ways to style them mean helix piercings work for lots of folks who want to jazz up their ears.
Keep in mind, you need to be patient when it comes to healing and looking after a new helix piercing. If you stick to the cleaning routine they tell you and watch out for signs of infection, your piercing should heal without any trouble. No matter if you go for a simple stud or something fancier, a helix piercing can be a great-looking long-lasting part of your style.
FAQs
What should I avoid doing after getting a helix piercing?
After you get a helix piercing, don’t touch it or sleep on it. Don’t use alcohol to clean the area, as this can slow down healing. Also, stay out of pools for 4 to 6 weeks after your piercing to avoid infections.
How should I care for a pierced helix?
To take care of your new helix piercing, clean it twice a day with an antibacterial solution. Keep makeup and soap away from the piercing to help it heal faster. You might see some fluid coming out – this is normal and part of the healing process.
What are some tips to help a helix piercing heal faster?
To speed up healing of a helix piercing, stick to a strict cleaning routine. Wash your hands before you touch the piercing. Use a sterile wound wash saline twice . Always rinse the piercing after you shower to keep it clean.
How long does it take for a helix piercing to heal?
A helix piercing needs about two to four months for initial healing, and six to nine months to heal . The healing time can differ based on personal factors and the exact type of piercing. You’ll know the piercing has healed when you see no more discharge, swelling, redness, or soreness.
What should you do if your helix piercing isn’t healing right after a long time?
If your helix piercing stays sore or won’t heal after a while, make sure you’re not touching it too much sleeping on it, or using the wrong kind of jewelry. If you still have trouble, talk to an expert piercer or a doctor to get advice on how to take care of it or whether you need to take it out.
