Helix piercings are popular and gorgeous, and you can get creative depending on how much space you have along your helix. We'll cover the basics and answer common questions like, "How bad does a helix piercing hurt?", "When can I start sleeping on my helix piercing?", and "How much does a helix piercing cost?".
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The helix is the ridge around the outer rim of the ear. It's typically a thin area with cartilage underneath the skin. If you touch it, you can probably feel the cartilage. The size of your helix depends on your ear anatomy, and it varies from person to person. A helix piercing refers to any piercing along the outer ridge of the ear. This means that an industrial piercing consists of two helix piercings connected by a single piece of jewelry.
If you don't have a prominent helix ridge, an industrial piercing might not be suitable, but other variations could work.
A flat helix piercing is placed on the flat part of the upper ear, away from the outer edge. Unlike regular helix piercings, which follow the ear's curve, the flat helix sits on a wider, flat area of cartilage.
A double helix piercing or triple helix piercing is where there are multiple piercings stacked in a row, often with coordinating jewelry worn to highlight the look. You'll often see double or triple helix piercings placed at the top or the mid area of the helix.
The forward helix piercing is located towards the front edge of the ear, where it meets the head. This piercing can also be doubled or tripled, depending on your anatomy.
In a lower helix piercing, the placement is in the lower part of the ear, closer to the earlobe.
From a low helix piercing to a forward helix, you have a wide area to choose from for this cartilage piercing. Let your piercer know your personal preference. The piercer will assess your anatomy and let you know if it allows for the placement of your choice. One of the most popular areas is the mid to upper part of the helix.
Something else to consider when planning for a helix piercing is the type of jewelry you want to wear in the helix. Depending on the angle and the exact placement of this type of piercing, the jewelry can look and sit differently. Talk to your piercer about what you want and the jewelry you want to wear, so that they can guide you. Even though a helix piercing is popular, always do your research and go to a professional piercer.
Once you and your piercer have discussed the placement and jewelry, the piercer will decide on the helix piercing gauge. The typical gauge of a helix piercing is 18g to 14g.
The initial piercing jewelry is usually a high-quality labret stud or flat back stud. The length of the post will be larger to make room for swelling. Once the piercing heals, you can downsize the jewelry. Since cartilage can be hard to heal, choose high-quality jewelry, like implant-grade titanium, to promote better healing.
Pain tolerance varies, but the consensus is that the pain level is not too bad. A little worse than a lobe piercing or maybe not even a notable difference. The most important factors are choosing an experienced piercer and following proper aftercare.
Since this is a popular piercing, mall kiosks and shops may offer the service using a piercing gun. You should never get pierced with a piercing gun. It's especially important with a cartilage piercing. A piercing gun can tear the cartilage and make the piercing difficult or impossible to heal.
So choose your piercer wisely and remember: no guns. Needles only. It's also super important for alignment. Even someone working with a needle who is inexperienced can give you an off kilter helix piercing. That's more than just an aesthetic issue, since you'll one day want to sleep on that side of your head again, and having it be crooked can lead to soreness.
The cost of a helix piercing can vary depending on the piercing studio, location, and the piece of jewelry you choose, but it generally ranges from $30 to $70, not including the price of the jewelry. High-quality materials like titanium may add to the cost but are worth considering for safety and comfort during healing. It's also important to factor in aftercare products, like saline spray, to help the piercing heal properly.
How long does it take to heal? The helix piercing healing time is six to nine months for many, but up to a year for some. Healing takes commitment, time, and extra care due to the location.
A helix piercing is a cartilage piercing, so there's a higher risk of complications. It's important to follow your piercer's aftercare instructions and stay on top of your aftercare routine.
Generally, you'll want to clean your piercing twice a day with saline spray. Before you clean the piercing, wash your hands. Spray the piercing in the front and in the back and let it sit for a few minutes. Use a paper towel to pat dry the area around it, or simply let it air dry.
Other things to be careful about are:
If you get a piercing bump, they tend to go away on their own as the piercing heals, but if you have any big concerns, check with your piercer.
If you're preparing for surgery, an MRI, or dental treatment, our guide to piercing retainers for medical procedures can help you get ready.
Got a new helix piercing and not sure what to do next? Don’t worry—it’s pretty simple once you know the steps. If you’re asking, “what are the steps I need to take to clean a fresh helix piercing?”, you’re in the right place. Let’s walk through it in a way that’s easy to follow and actually works.
Your helix piercing needs time to heal. Keeping it clean helps prevent irritation, bumps, and infection. Even small mistakes—like touching it too much—can slow things down.
Before you do anything, wash your hands. This keeps bacteria away from your piercing and helps avoid problems.
Stick with a sterile wound wash saline spray. This is the safest and easiest option.
Spray the saline directly onto the front and back of your helix piercing. Make sure the whole area gets covered.
Give the saline a minute or two to work. Don’t rush this part—it helps soften any buildup and keeps the area clean.
Use a clean paper towel to lightly dab away extra moisture. Avoid cloth towels since they can carry bacteria.
After dabbing, let your piercing air dry. This helps keep things calm and irritation-free.
Clean your helix piercing twice a day—no more, no less. Over-cleaning can irritate it just as much as not cleaning it enough.
This part is just as important as cleaning. If you skip these tips, healing can take way longer.
Healing a helix piercing takes time. Even if you clean it perfectly, irritation can still happen if you bump it or mess with it too much. The best thing you can do? Clean it, leave it alone, and let your body do the rest.
Most piercers suggest waiting until your helix piercing fully heals, which can take up to a year, before sleeping on it. While timing is important, the real issue isn’t sleeping, but the weight placed on your piercing. Lying on your piercing puts steady pressure on healing cartilage, which can cause irritation bumps, slow healing, or even make the piercing shift.
There’s no exact timeline. Just make sure your piercing is fully healed before you sleep on it. Healing can depend on how sensitive your ear is and the type of jewelry you’re wearing. A good sign you’re ready is when there’s no redness, no discharge, and no soreness when you gently touch it for at least two to three weeks in a row.
If you want to protect your piercing while you sleep, there are a few simple tricks. A travel pillow or neck pillow works well because your ear can rest in the center hole without pushing on it. Sleeping on the opposite side is still the safest option, especially during the initial healing stages. You can also use a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce friction if you roll over during the night.
Jewelry choice also plays a big role. Flat-back labrets are one of the most comfortable options for healing because they sit flat against the ear and don’t move around much. Rings can be harder to sleep in. When pressure from your pillow pushes on them, they can pull your ear at different angles. Captive bead rings may press into the ear and cause discomfort. If you like the look of a hoop, switching to a clicker can feel smoother and more comfortable. If your piercing is fully healed and you want to switch from rings to something more comfortable, check out our flat-back labret options at Bodyartforms.
Even after your piercing heals and you’re wearing comfortable jewelry, your ear might still feel sore sometimes when you sleep on it. That’s normal since you’re putting weight on it. If your ears are sensitive, using a donut pillow or a softer pillow can help reduce irritation and keep your piercing comfortable.
Once your piercing has fully healed, it's time to have fun with the jewelry. The helix is versatile and can accommodate different types of jewelry. Talk to your piercer about the jewelry that best fits, and make sure you know the helix piercing size you'll need for your jewelry: gauge, length, or diameter.
Labret jewelry or flat-back studs are very popular. They have a flat disc back and a designed top end. They come in many designs and styles, from small gemstones to spider-end designs, perfect for showcasing your personality. This style is also very trendy as forward helix piercing jewelry.
Similar to labret studs are straight barbells. Instead of a flat disc back, you'll have a ball back.
Captive bead rings are another fantastic choice for helix piercings. These combine the elegance of a hoop with the added detail of a bead, giving you the best of both worlds. For a minimalist look, opt for a simple metal bead, or add a splash of color with options like opals and stones.
Helix hoop earrings are among the most popular styles for this piercing. Seamless rings offer a sleek, minimalist look and are popular with people who have multiple ear piercings. Clicker rings also offer a seamless, stylish aesthetic and are easier to insert.
Curved barbells and circular barbells are another excellent option for helix piercings. These styles are especially popular with those who enjoy wearing multiple pieces of bead jewelry in their ears.
The helix is also a great place for chains. Using a nostril chain or connecting chains, try stringing it between helix piercings or using it on the same piercing to create a fun look. A row of chains can link a double or triple helix, and a chain can also connect to lobe piercings. We even have some double and triple helix jewelry made just for this purpose.
Make sure your piercing is fully healed before switching your jewelry or adding chains. At Bodyartforms, we carry all these piercing jewelry styles in different sizes and styles. Confused about sizing? Our body jewelry measurement guide will walk you through it.
Cartilage piercings are more prone to irritation and bumps, including keloid bumps. Keloids are mostly caused by genetics, and if you get one, it usually has to be surgically removed, leaving a scar. If you know you are prone to keloids, a helix piercing may not be the best choice. It's always a good idea to consult a doctor before getting any piercing to see if you might be at risk for keloids, no matter where you plan to get pierced.
If you know that you can't keep up with your aftercare or you tend to touch or mess with new piercings without thinking, a cartilage piercing might not be for you. Cartilage tissue is less flexible and more inclined to inflammation, so it's important not to touch or move the jewelry during healing.
Trying to choose between a helix piercing and a flat piercing? Don’t worry—you’re not alone! Both piercings sit on the upper part of your ear and look super cute, but there are a few key differences to know before you book your appointment.
A helix piercing is located on the outer rim of your ear cartilage, just above your earlobe. It’s a classic piercing that’s easy to style and works with a lot of different jewelry options.
A flat piercing sits on the flat part of the cartilage inside your upper ear, just past the rim. It’s more central than a helix piercing and gives you room for fun jewelry or slightly larger styles.
Before getting either piercing, your piercer will check your ear anatomy to make sure your cartilage can support the piercing location. Both piercings are fairly low-maintenance if you follow proper aftercare. They’re cute, versatile, and a fun way to add personality to your ear jewelry collection!
The helix is the outer rim of cartilage that curves around the ear. The forward helix is the part closest to your face, right above the tragus. A forward helix piercing goes through the outer part of this cartilage and exits through the inner curl. It does not go through the back of the ear.
Depending on your ear anatomy, you might choose:
Most forward helix piercings start with labrets (flatback studs), since they sit comfortably in the ear. Later on, once healed, you might switch to:
Even if you stick with studs, you can change up your look by swapping the ends. Threaded and threadless options come in tons of styles, from simple to bold.
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Not all ears can support a forward helix piercing. Because it’s anatomy dependent, your piercer will check your ear and let you know if it’s possible. If not, they can suggest another cartilage piercing that works better with your ear shape.
The standard size for a forward helix piercing is usually 16g, though sometimes an 18g is used. Piercers typically use implant grade titanium or gold for safe healing. You’ll likely start with a slightly longer labret post to make room for swelling, and then downsize once your piercing heals enough.
Pain is different for everyone, but since this piercing goes through cartilage, it tends to feel sharper than a lobe piercing. The process can also take a little longer because the area is so small, so your piercer has to be extra precise.
Cartilage piercings heal slower than soft tissue, and a forward helix can take 6–12 months to fully heal. Here are some aftercare basics:
Once it’s safe, make sure to downsize your jewelry to prevent snagging and irritation. Because this area is tight and hard to see, you may need help from a piercer when changing jewelry, even after healing.
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Soreness is normal during the healing process, but if you notice unusual pain, swelling, or other complications, check in with your piercer right away. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Forward helix piercings are unique, stylish, and versatile—but they do take patience and care. If you’re considering one, now you know what to expect!
This is up to you! There's no magical right side to do it on. But here are some things to think about:
You may want to figure out how your hair will sit. Do you usually part it on one side? Do you often put your hair behind one ear? What kind of hats or accessories do you wear often? If there's a particular side that gets shown off more, that may be your side.
Which side is your dominant side? Try reaching across to your opposite ear. Does that feel like a stretch? Do you feel like you can do close-up, detailed work in that position, like changing out jewelry? Or do you usually pop in to your piercer to have it changed? If you're right-handed, and your triple helix is on the left side, that sort of situation may add some time and frustration to changing out jewelry.
Sleep. What side do you sleep on, and will it interfere with the piercing? If you're a side sleeper, try getting used to sleeping on the opposite side of the piercing before actually getting pierced. You may decide there's no way you can give up your favorite sleep position for six months to a year.
An industrial is technically a helix piercing, characterized by the solid bar going through the ear. However, if you don't have the anatomy that would allow you to wear a straight barbell in an industrial piercing, a floating industrial, which connects two separate piercings with a flexible bar, may be an option. Similar to the traditional industrial, a floating industrial can bridge almost any two helix piercings.
Still have more questions about helix piercings? Email us at help@Bodyartforms.com
