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Original poster

Helix piercing

35 replies

cwtchesandprosecco · 17/07/2020 14:37

Hi everyone,

After a bit of advice/ reassurance on getting a helix piercing. Anyone got any experiences to share.

I’ve wanted one for ages and have finally booked in for one tomorrow, and I’m now starting to freak myself out. Is it really painful? Is the aftercare really as involved as they say?

I guess I’m just hoping you’ll all say you’ve had it and it was totally fine and nothing all to worry about

Thanks!

OP posts:

Doingitaloneandproud · 17/07/2020 14:47

Hey, I have a double forward helix piercing, was a triple but one migrated out lol.. it was a quick burst of pain but nothing too bad, the aftercare was the worst, it did take near a year to heal completely as the hairdresser caught them a few times

Totally worth it though! I love them Have a good time!

thinkofablinkingnamewoman · 17/07/2020 14:52

Hurts briefly when done. Couldn't sleep on that side for a couple of weeks as sore when pressed. Aftercare was fine - my piercer recommended soaking a camomile teabag in salt water and holding that over it. Bit odd but healed pretty quickly and I love it so much I'm going for a couple more.....

sauvignonblancplz · 17/07/2020 14:55

Yeah avoid sleeping on it , no nothing that sore at all.
Take a couple of painkillers and anti inflammatories after , I think this helps a lot.
Clean it 4 times a day for the first few weeks.
A gentle wound wash is generally the best thing to use.

InkieNecro · 17/07/2020 15:02

Don't sleep on that side for a few months, it can take up to a year to heal.

I had an industrial piercing in December, I was surprised how painful it was. However it is literally a few seconds, and the limit of the pain was me saying 'Fuck, that hurt.', not screaming and crying

Mine can be slept on now but it still needs cleaning daily like most piercings and I can see it isn't fully healed yet.

excelledyourself · 17/07/2020 16:07

I'm toying with getting this done. I'm late 30's though, and don't know whether I'm considered too old for that?

HelloChompy · 17/07/2020 16:19

@excelledyourself

I'm toying with getting this done. I'm late 30's though, and don't know whether I'm considered too old for that?

Hell no!! Definitely not 😁 I had my latest piercings done in December- I had just turned 43. I did feel fairly old while waiting as my quietest day with work coincidenced with the last day of term. Hence the tattooist was full of school kids (and their parents)...

Good luck OP. If you tend to turn over a lot in your sleep then a travel pillow with the cutout might be helpful. Remember, just because it looks healed from the outside, the inside will still be healing. So don't sit there a month in and think you can get away with changing the jewellery because you will really set your healing back.

In terms of pain I found it a very sharp scratch and then some pain while she put the jewellry in. I have 3 helix piercings and a triple forward helix. The forward helix was much worse than the helix because there is so little room to work and it is more awkward getting the jewellery through.

fairydustandpixies · 17/07/2020 16:38

I've had three helix piercings. One fell out after a year and I couldn't get the ring back in. The other two I had for ten years, they each fell out after that period of time and I couldn't get the ring back in either time with those.

The piercings seem to close immediately. I can't even see a hint of a scar where mine where.

They don't hurt when they're done but they are sore for some months afterwards.

Yogafairy · 17/07/2020 16:48

My helix didn't hurt to pierce at all but I do have a few. sleeping was a problem though so make sure you sleep on the other side. Don't get a ring, get a bar. Rings always take longer to heal on me. And finally to the poster that said they may be too old, I am 49 and had my daith done in January. No such thing as too old.

littlemissalwaystired · 17/07/2020 16:56

I actually had one done this afternoon! Barely felt like a pinch tbh, not bad at all. I think it'll be sore when knocked though

TinkersRucksack · 17/07/2020 17:55

The person doing mine just said 'ok, just take a big breath in' and by the time I had it was all done. A bit of a pinch but nothing to it.

Couldn't sleep on it for a couple of weeks but soaked it twice a day in sea salt water to keep the nasties away and it healed just fine - had it just over a year and am now thinking of changing the jewellery.

Brace yourself for every time you catch it with your hairbrush though, you'll do all sorts of creative swearing

Original poster

cwtchesandprosecco · 18/07/2020 10:34

Thanks everyone! Some really good advice here’s its D-day today and I think I’m mainly excited now. Will report back

OP posts:

suze28 · 18/07/2020 10:45

I have a helix which I couldn't sleep on for about four months. When I had my daith done I used Emla numbing cream which made the piercing completely pain free. That might be worth thinking about.

thismeansnothing · 18/07/2020 10:46

I've got a helix and a double forward helix. The forward ones I'm.not going to lie were the stingiest piercings I've had done and were sore as they heeled. But the helix was fine. Throbbed a bit afterwards but heeled well and didn't bother me at all

MulberryPeony · 18/07/2020 10:51

How exciting OP! Have you thought about where abouts on the helix? I really fancy a flat but worried the bar will interfere with my glasses.

HelloChompy · 18/07/2020 18:59

How did it go today OP?

GrimDamnFanjo · 19/07/2020 16:52

I have one on my flat as a glasses wearer and it's fine as the piercer was careful with placement.
It was my most tricky to heal though and took about a year.
I've a forward helix, helix, flat and two conches.

Original poster

cwtchesandprosecco · 19/07/2020 18:49

Thanks everyone for all the advice and reassurance. I had it done yesterday and it was fine. The guy was all PPE’d up, and it really didn’t hurt. He said to take a deep breath and on 3 and then it was just a bit of a burn. It did sting a bit after and I’ve caught it with my mask ear loops a couple of times which was painful! They gave me loads of advice on aftercare as well.

So yeah, all in all it was fine and I love it 🥰

OP posts:

cosmo30 · 19/07/2020 18:53

This has made me want a new piercing !

Cheeseybites · 19/07/2020 18:54

I'm getting my second helix done tomorrow and I'm 36 so def not too old!
I can barely take pain and apart from a sting for about 3 seconds that was it.

HelloChompy · 19/07/2020 19:10

Glad it all went well 😁 I never thought about masks and a new piercing 😬 I'm sure you'll get the hang of taking them on and off and avoiding your piercing in no time!

mineofuselessinformation · 19/07/2020 19:17

The best tip I got was when soaking in salt water, put it in a cup. Put your ear (facing downwards) down on to the cup, then tip your head up so your ear is facing upwards. The whole of your piercing will then be covered by the water.
When finished, tip the other way again.
P.S. I'm mid-fifties and came to this late - I only had mine done last year!

MulberryPeony · 19/07/2020 19:41

Oh yes ouch re masks and piercing!

Thanks @GrimDamnFanjo but I wanted it to line up with an upper lobe.

excelledyourself · 20/07/2020 20:46

What's the average cost of this piercing please? And what are the rules about the first piece of jewellery to be worn?

MulberryPeony · 20/07/2020 21:22

£15-25 maybe. Mine is one of the cheapest around I think at £15 or less if they have an offer on!

Original poster

cwtchesandprosecco · 20/07/2020 21:34

I paid £35 in central London. In terms of the jewellery, you had to get a bar and you basically only had the option of silver, rose gold and gold. They said I’d be able to change it to a hoop in about six months if I wanted to.

OP posts:

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