All Your Helix Piercing Questions, Answered

The ear presents a whole lot of house to mess around with piercings. From the earlobe up, there are a number of totally different sorts of piercings you may get. Certainly one of these is a helix piercing, which is a stylish alternative—although it is extra generally often called a cartilage piercing. This piercing tends to be finished on the higher ear and customised with totally different placements and jewellery types.

There is not any medical motive to get a helix; it is purely for aesthetics. For those who assume one may suit your vibe, or for those who’re contemplating getting a helix for any motive, this is all the pieces it is advisable to find out about the higher ear piercing.

What’s a Helix Piercing?

A helix piercing can also be referred to as a cartilage piercing due to its location someplace on the outer cartilage of your ear. There are a number of variations on the piercing, together with the ahead helix, double helix, triple helix, and anti-helix (or cosy) piercings—what differentiates the categories is the place they’re situated on the ear.

Ache and Therapeutic Time

Hannah Ruhga, a piercer at Moth Artwork & Tattoo Collective, says it’s roughly a four-to-seven on the ache scale, relying in your tolerance. Any piercing goes to harm, although, contemplating it’s simply passing a needle by the pores and skin. To assist alleviate among the ache, you must contemplate your personal ache threshold and the expertise and talent of your piercer.

“Normally, they all the time come again for extra as a result of it’s price it!” says Ruhga.

Helix piercings typically take round three-to-six months to heal. Nevertheless, for those who don’t correctly take care of your new piercing because it heals, it may take longer—or you may should get it re-pierced and begin throughout.

“Wound therapeutic can differ from individual to individual,” says Rachael Earnest, a board-certified dermatologist at Legacy Dermatology and Restoration Middle. “It may possibly take as much as a yr to completely heal in some people.”

Price of a Helix Piercing

The value of a helix piercing significantly varies relying on the place the piercing studio is situated, how skilled your piercer is, and the jewellery you get. The everyday value for it, although, is between $30 and $75. You should definitely discover a piercer based mostly on potential and never value; don’t go for one simply because it’s cheap.

Aftercare

Aftercare for a helix piercing is so simple as washing it twice a day with saline answer (or antimicrobial cleaning soap, says Earnest). The toughest a part of the method isn’t the washing, although; it’s ensuring to do all the pieces in your energy to keep away from irritating your piercing. Restrict any friction by avoiding equipment that would snag on it, like beanies or headphones. Claudia Valentini, a Barcelona-based piercer, additionally suggests laying on the other facet from the ear that you just pierced for those who’re a side-sleeper, as sleeping on a contemporary piercing could cause a foul end result.

It’s additionally necessary to keep away from touching or upsetting your piercing as a lot as obligatory, as irritation may trigger irritation and even, in some circumstances, infections. Earnest additionally says that if it’s a must to contact your piercing, you must wash your arms first.

“If you wish to take excellent care of your piercing through the therapeutic course of, you must assume, ‘By no means put in your piercing one thing you’ll not put in your eyes,’” says Valentini.

Aspect Results of Piercing

“An infection and scarring are the 2 largest dangers for those who do not correctly take care of the piercing,” says Joshua Zeichner, Director of Beauty and Scientific Analysis in dermatology and an affiliate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.

An infection: An an infection occurs when aftercare isn’t adopted correctly, or the piercing has change into over-irritated. Frequent indicators of an an infection embrace redness, swelling, inexperienced or yellow pus, and tenderness. For those who see signs, search medical assist instantly.

Scarring: A scar kinds if the piercing turns into too irritated through the aftercare course of and may go away some unpleasant marks across the piercing web site.

Keloids: Keloids are raised scars that type when the pores and skin has healed round a wound, inflicting further scar tissue to develop as an over-defense to the bodily trauma of a piercing. They will vary in dimension however typically aren’t painful and comprise nothing however scar tissue.

How one can Change Out a Helix Piercing

A helix piercing is definitely modified, however make it possible for it’s absolutely healed earlier than making an attempt to change out the jewellery—three-to-six months. Valentini suggests making the primary change with the assistance of your piercer, because it’s necessary to watch out to keep away from something going incorrect. Plus, your piercer can stroll you thru the steps of change out the jewellery so you may really feel assured doing it your self. To take action, merely take away the backing from the piercing if it’s a stud, or barely separate the versatile steel ring to slip it out. Then, simply place within the new one in the identical method.

“You probably have any issue, go to your piercing skilled for assist,” says Dr. Zeichner. “Particularly throughout the first few months, if the piercing is eliminated there’s a threat that the opening will shut up.”

Sort of Jewellery Used for a Helix Piercing

Stud: A stud is a small piece of bijou with a skinny lengthy backing that’s inserted into the maintain of a piercing. To seal a stud in place, you connect a small fixture on the opposite facet.

Hoop/Ring: A hoop, additionally referred to as a hoop, is a well-liked alternative for a helix piercing. It’s a chunk of steel in a hoop form, however it’s versatile sufficient to simply bend. Take away a hoop by merely pulling aside the 2 ends.

Jewellery Materials Used for a Helix Piercing

“Chrome steel or titanium are the perfect metals to make use of since they’re comparatively inert and mustn’t trigger a response in your physique,” says Zeichner.

Chrome steel: Chrome steel is a highly regarded alternative for helix jewellery as a result of it is available in numerous colours and shapes with out dropping any of its top quality. Nevertheless, stainless-steel does have nickel in it, so keep away from it for those who’re allergic.

Gold: Whereas gold isn’t essentially the perfect steel for helix jewellery, it’s not a foul alternative. For those who’re somebody who desires to correspond your piercing to the remainder of your jewellery or another aesthetic motive, gold is a superb choice. You should definitely get jewellery that’s no less than 14 karats, although, to keep away from steel that’s too delicate.

Titanium: Titanium is simply as strong of a alternative as stainless-steel is, contemplating it is available in tons of various appearances. The one distinction between the 2 is that titanium doesn’t have nickel, so it’s protected for everybody.