Summary — What You’ll Learn
Who this is for: Anyone considering a helix, double helix, forward helix, or hidden helix piercing.
Key takeaways: There are several distinct helix piercing types, each with different placement and healing characteristics. Cartilage heals slowly — 6 to 12 months is normal. Jewelry choice during healing matters a lot.
What Is a Helix Piercing?
A helix piercing goes through the upper cartilage rim of the ear. It’s one of the most popular cartilage piercings — versatile enough to wear a single statement piece or stack into a row of delicate studs up the ear.
Types of Helix Piercings
Standard helix: A single piercing through the outer upper cartilage. The most common starting point.
Double helix: Two piercings stacked vertically along the outer cartilage. Can be done in one session or added over time — doing them separately allows each to heal before the next is added.
Forward helix: This one sits at the front of the ear, right where the cartilage meets the face above the tragus. It’s one of the most visually distinctive ear piercings and works beautifully as part of a curated ear. Check out the forward helix page for more detail.
Flat piercing: Goes through the flat area of cartilage just inside the helix rim — the antihelix. It creates a slightly different visual effect than a standard helix. See the helix/flat page for examples.
Hidden helix: A piercing that sits inside the helix curve so the jewelry appears to float or peek out. The exact placement varies and depends on your ear anatomy.
Does a Helix Piercing Hurt?
On a pain scale, most people put helix piercings somewhere in the 4–6 out of 10 range. The cartilage is denser than lobe tissue, so there’s more resistance when the needle passes through — but it’s still just a second of pressure.
The more annoying part isn’t the piercing itself but the healing period. A healing helix that gets bumped, slept on, or irritated can throb and feel sore. Using a travel pillow with a hole in the center helps people who sleep on their side avoid disrupting it.
How Long Does a Helix Piercing Take to Heal?
Six to twelve months for initial healing. Full healing — where the tissue is stable enough for jewelry changes without risk — can take up to 18 months for some people.
Healing is also non-linear. A helix can feel completely fine at month four, then flare up if you snag it on a sweater or change jewelry too early. Patience matters more than almost anything else with cartilage.
Helix Piercing Aftercare
Clean twice daily with sterile saline spray. Don’t rotate or twist the jewelry — that’s old advice and it actually disrupts healing. Avoid sleeping directly on it. Keep haircare products, makeup, and skincare away from the piercing. For downsizing (switching from the longer initial post to a shorter one after swelling goes down), come back to the studio rather than doing it yourself.
See the full aftercare instructions page for everything you need to know.
Book a Helix Piercing at Aurilus
Aurilus in American Fork does all helix variations — standard, double, forward, flat, and hidden — using hollow needle technique for cleaner healing. Book here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a double helix done at once?
Yes — but doing them one at a time (in separate appointments) means each one heals independently. Getting both at once means more healing demand simultaneously and more potential for irritation if one of them gets bumped.
When can I change my helix jewelry?
Wait until it’s fully healed — typically 9–12 months minimum. Even if it feels fine earlier, the internal tissue may not be ready. Have it changed at the studio the first time rather than doing it yourself.
What gauge is a helix piercing?
Most helix piercings are done at 16g. Some piercers prefer 18g for finer jewelry. Your piercer will tell you what gauge your piercing is so you buy the right size jewelry when healing is complete.
