What is a Helix piercing?

Everything you need to know before piercing a coil

There are dozens of interesting options when it comes to ear piercings. With so many styles to choose from, it's hard to pick just one! If you already have one or two holes in your earlobes and want to add some new jewelry to your ears that is versatile but not too extreme, a helix piercing can be the perfect new addition to your piercing collection.

Once you move on from the earlobes, most other ear piercings involve the harder, cartilaginous areas of the ear. It can be a little more intimidating due to the longer healing time, but if you want to go for cartilage, a helix piercing is a great starting point.

Below you'll find everything you need to know about coil piercings before heading out for a piercing.

What is a spiral piercing?

The curl is the top, outer cartilage area of ​​your ear. A helical piercing, as you might have guessed, is a puncture that goes through this area of ​​cartilage. It is said that helix piercing gets its name from the fact that it can resemble a strand of DNA, as in a DNA helix.

It is possible to have multiple helix piercings in one ear, although most people prefer to start with one to three at a time. The single standard helix piercing is the most common, however there are several other popular types of helix piercings such as:

Double or triple helix piercing:

The double helix piercing is similar to the standard helix piercing, but with two holes instead of one. Similarly, a triple helix with three holes is made.

Straight helix piercing:

A straight helical piercing pierces the anterior portion of the cartilage instead of the upper posterior area that is standard in conventional helical piercings.

Piercing a double or triple helix forward:

A double or triple pierce of a straight coil is simply piercing a straight coil with two or three holes, respectively.

Do helix piercings hurt?

When it comes to ear piercings, as you go from lobe to cartilage, you can expect a bit more pain and discomfort. The cartilage is much stronger than the fleshy earlobes and therefore requires much more pressure to pierce it. Does this mean that coil piercings are always painful? Not necessary. Pain tolerance is different for everyone. There are other steps you can take to alleviate any discomfort, such as choosing an experienced professional piercer.

Choosing the right piercing for a helix piercing

Choosing the right piercer will help you make your piercing as smooth and painless as possible. The first thing to look at, and we can't stress it enough, is a piercing that uses needles, not a piercing gun.

Piercing guns should be avoided for any piercing as they are incredibly difficult to properly sterilize and can cause infections. But when it comes to cartilage piercings, the weapon can be even more dangerous. A piercing gun can actually destroy your cartilage, causing permanent damage to your ears!

On the other hand, a professional piercing salon will use new needles that have been fully autoclaved to ensure that your new piercing is not exposed to any infectious bacteria.

If you're looking for a top-notch professional piercer in the Newmarket area of ​​Mississauga, the piercers at Pierced in the Upper Canada Mall & Square One have extensive experience with helical piercings of all kinds.

How to care for a helix piercing

After you get your new, freshly pierced helical piercing, you'll want to take extra care of it to ensure it heals quickly and properly.

First of all, always wash your hands thoroughly before touching or cleaning your piercing. This can help prevent bacteria or dirt from getting into your new piercing.

You will then need to clean the piercing with saline at least twice a day. You can buy a ready-made saline solution for this purpose at a piercing store, or you can make your own sea salt solution using pure, non-iodized sea salt and warm water. Then simply apply the solution to the piercing using sterile gauze or cotton swabs.

Another thing to pay attention to during the healing process is to be careful not to pull or pull on your jewelry. So if you have long hair, it's best to keep it back until the piercing heals. Also, avoid getting hair products on the piercing as they can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.

How long does a spiral piercing take to heal?

Cartilage piercings always take significantly longer to heal than earlobe piercings. On average, you can expect your new coil piercing to heal completely in 3-6 months, with some piercings taking up to nine months! The more carefully you take care of your piercing, the faster it will heal. So don't miss these sea salt baths!

Risks and infections with Helix piercing

Generally, if you follow a healthy postoperative care regimen, the risk of infection will be relatively low. However, it's always a good idea to watch for the warning signs of an infection so you can catch any possible complications before they get worse. Pay attention to the following and consult your piercer or doctor if you have concerns:

Redness:

Some redness is normal during the first week after the piercing, however, if the redness continues after this point, it could be a sign that something else is wrong.

Edema:

Again, some swelling in the first few days after the piercing is normal and not a cause for concern. If you notice swelling after this point, you may want to investigate further.

Pus:

There may also be a slight discharge at first, but this should not persist beyond the first week. Check with your piercer or doctor if this continues.

Hot skin or fever:

If the skin around the piercing feels hot or you have a fever, see your doctor right away. These are both signs of a more serious infection and should not be ignored!

Helix piercing jewelry options

There is no limit to perfection when it comes to helix piercing jewelry! Rings, studs, barbells, horseshoes, whatever! One of the great things about helical piercings is how incredibly versatile they are. Once your helix piercing is fully healed, you can explore a wide range of fun styles. Just do not try to change jewelry until the piercing is completely healed!

Ear piercing jewelry