What is a Helix Piercing?

The Helix Piercing is an ear piercing, which is attached by the helix, of course, the cartilaginous tissue at the upper edge of ones ear. Helix piercings are a very popular style of piercing and usually worn both men and women alike.  After healing, a ring or a circular barbell (horseshoe ring) is usually worn.  Helix piercings have become very popular sine the 1990’s and this choice of piercing continues to grow.

What Method is Used When Having a Helix Piercing?

Since helix piercings are a so-called cartilage piercings, it is important to have the piercing done only by a professional.  It is a normal procedure carried out at most studios.  After the piercer has informed you about the process and the risks, a contract may be (and should) signed and the piercing ca commence. The helix piercing is, as already mentioned, pierced through the cartilaginous tissue at the top of the ear, the helix cartilage. Before this happens, the ear is disinfected and thoroughly cleaned.  The puncture site is marked on the front of the auricle, so you can look at the puncture site in the mirror again.  The area is then fixed with special pliers, so that nothing can slip during grooving and the canal itself is fine.

The piercing is usually carried out whilst you are sitting. The piercing itself is done with a piercing needle.  This is a special plastic tube with a pointed needle which is hollow on the inside.  After the piercing, the piercing will be inserted into the cavity, so that this slides when pulling the piercing needle into the channel and with no additional pain. This is usually made of high quality and elastic plastic and longer than the Helix Piercing itself so that the area will not be crushed even with swelling.

Since the piercing is pierced by the cartilage, it is more painful than a piercing at the earlobe, where there is no cartilage tissue.

Helix Piercings Aftercare – always follow the professional piercers guide and information!

Cartilage piercings usually take longer than other piercings to heal completely, so healing from a helix piercing can take from three to twelve months. It is important not to neglect the care of the piercing despite this long healing time.  The first few days after piercing you should make sure that you do not wear tight caps that can put too much pressure on the fresh wound.  Fresh air is best for the piercing canal.

The first few days you should take care while showering or washing that no foam and no soap get into the wound.

It is important that you clean the piercing canal twice a day with a special solution – again, this should be provided by your professional.  The solution can be carefully applied to the on the piercing, so that it flows into the wound canal. Excess dirt or removal of hard wound secretions is most easily removed with a clean cotton swab. For this, it must be moistened either with the solution already mentioned or with hot water.  It is important that encrustations are never simply removed by hand, otherwise wounds can be torn open again and lead to infections.

In addition, it is important that you turn the piercing very carefully several times a day so that it does not grow together with the tissue.  Please wash your hands first, because there are always dangerous bacteria lurking there.  If you have had the piercing carried out on one side only, it is advisable to sleep on the other side.  Finally, it is important that you leave the after piercing in until complete healing has taken place.

What Jewellery Should I Use for a Helix Piercings?

For first use, a straight barbell with a thickness of 1.2 mm or 1.6 mm is recommended, because the round piercings usually have a pressure on the ear hole, which is bad in the newly pierced piercing and can lead to inflammation.  In addition, it is important in the beginning that the initial piercing is generally used a little longer.  After the healing of the ear-loop you can use a variety of jewellery such as Ball Closure Rings or Circular Barbell (horseshoe rings). However, it is important to pay attention to choosing a piercing that fits the stitch channel. Too thick a piercing rod would expand the piercing channel and too thin rods would lead in the long run the piercing canal shrinking.

Most Helix Piercings are made of so-called 316L Surgical Steel.  This is not only very robust and modern, but also offers you a great wearing comfort.

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