Having not just one but multiple piercings is fun, especially since there are all sorts of ways to curate them, depending on your style aesthetic or even your zodiac sign. So if you're ready to explore other ear-piercing locations that aren't the lobe, you can start by checking out the helix!
What is a helix piercing?
A helix piercing is located on the upper, outer cartilage of the ear. It has three variations, such as the following:
1. Standard helix
2. Forward helix - A forward helix piercing is placed on the upper cartilage closest to your face.
3. Double or triple helix - Yep, you can get more than one helix piercing on one ear!
Is it painful to get a helix piercing?
A helix is pierced through the cartilage so yes, it will obviously hurt. But of course, as we always say, pain varies from person to person. Plus, a professional body piercer usually works fast to ensure you won't feel much discomfort.
P.S. The cartilage should be pierced through a needle. "A piercing gun isn't designed for cartilage, only soft tissue and even then I wouldn't recommend it," ear piercer Brian Keith Thompson of Body Electric Tattoo previously told Elle. "Piercing cartilage with a gun can create hardcore hypertrophic scarring and even blow it up."
How long does it take for a helix piercing to heal?
According to Kenneth Abad, a professional tattoo artist and body piercer from 55 Tinta, it takes around four to six months for any helix piercing to heal.
How do I take care of my helix piercing?
1. Avoid touching (or twisting) your fresh piercing. Constant friction can delay its healing period.
2. Sleep on your back while your helix piercing is still healing. You can also get one ear pierced at a time so you have one side to sleep on.
3. Clean your piercing twice a day with a saline solution. (READ MORE: How To Make Sure Your Ear Piercings Don't Close Or Get Infected)
How much does it cost to get a helix piercing?
The price of a helix piercing varies on the tattoo studio you go to. According to Kenneth, 55 Tinta usually charges P2,000 for cartilage piercings.
Interested in getting a helix piercing? Check out these pictures for inspiration:
1. Quadruple lobe + helix
Keep everything on the ~outer~ part of the ear.
2. Forward helix + hidden helix + helix
Why not get three different kinds of helix piercings in one ear?
3. Helix + conch + double lobe
Add a touch of sparkle to the inner part of your ear!
4. Forward helix + helix + anti-tragus + lobe
Try this combination if you want to have an evenly spaced-out ear party.
5. Helix + double flat + conch + triple lobe
Spice things up by adding a cool threader earring to the mix.
6. Double helix + forward helix + anti-tragus + double lobe
Decorate your ear with itty-bitty hoops!
7. Helix + upper lobe
Keep things simple with this duo.
8. Helix + rook + tragus + triple lobe
Doesn't this mix of sparkling hoops and studs look so pretty?
9. Rook + tragus + triple lobe
Elevate a tripe lobe piercing with a helix and a tragus.
10. Helix + forward helix + triple lobe
So chic!
11. Double helix + conch + tragus + lobe
We want every piece of jewelry on this ear.
12. Double helix + forward helix + daith + triple lobe piercings
Balance out an eye-catching daith piercing with barely-there studs and hoops.
13. Rook + double helix + daith + lobe
Pearl and gold always give off an elegant vibe.
14. Upper helix + mid-helix + forward helix + triple lobe
You'll want to show off these cute piercings!
15. Triple helix + flat + daith + tragus + orbital
Why get one helix when you can have two or more?
16. Double helix + flat + forward helix + conch + tragus + triple lobe
Stick to one color palette if you don't want your multiple piercings to look OTT.
17. Double helix + triple lobe
Sometimes, less is more.
* This story originally appeared on Cosmo.ph. Minor edits have been made by the Preview.ph editors.
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