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Original poster

Talk to me about your helix piercing

39 replies

theoldhasgone · 09/03/2023 14:16

I am. considering getting a helix piercing. There is a tattoo studio in my town with an amazing reputation for piercings (needle, not gun) and I spoke to the piercing professional there today.

She said

a) don't have it pierced on the side you sleep on (I do have a preferred side but turn a bit in the night)

b) it will be about 8 weeks before you can change the piercing (and it needs the usual cleaning)

c) it will be about six months before you can completely forget it is there.

I suspect I am a bit too much of a wimp and like my sleep too much to have it disturbed by a piercing, but I am interested in whether this chimes with your experience?

OP posts:
FindingMeno · 09/03/2023 14:18

Yes, I couldn't sleep comfortably on that side for a long time, and it took months and months to heal.
Sorry, but to be forewarned...

Zola1 · 09/03/2023 14:18

I've had mine done last July and it was a bit temperamental at first, a bit prone to being sore and gross. It took about 3 or 4 months for it to settle and for me to be able to lie on it. Now it's fine and it doesn't bother me ever. My daith however is forever an issue so prob don't get that 🥴

DoesItMakeYouFeelBetter · 09/03/2023 14:26

Mine has taken over a year to heal, but I turn a lot on my sleep. I use a travel cushion in bed (the type that goes around your neck) and lie it flat on the pillow, so my ear goes in the hole. It takes pressure off the piercings.

princessbear80 · 09/03/2023 14:56

I had mine pierced with a gun, which I know is a no-no, but was the easiest option for me. Can’t remember exact timelines, but I changed it to a barbell stud which was too long and moved around a lot, and the movement slowed down the healing. I had a bit of pain and lots of goo coming out. Once I swapped it to a one that was the right size (shorter) it healed well. All in all probably six months I think. Absolutely no problems since, probably about 3 years now. You can buy a halo pillow if that’s what’s putting you off - I haven’t used this myself but I’ve seen it on Instagram.

sixfoot · 09/03/2023 15:03

I was told 6-12 months for healing and don’t sleep on it, use a travel pillow. Also DON’T miss your downsize as it keeps the piercing protected, a bigger bar once the swelling has gone down can really disrupt healing.

I’m just over four months in. I wouldn’t change my earring yet, might at around six month. Absolutely no goo, pain, bleeding or problems.

Original poster
theoldhasgone · 09/03/2023 15:39

Thanks all! I didn't realise there are so many pillow options - that might be the solution, honestly. Quite excited by the thought that I could make it work!

OP posts:
soupmaker · 09/03/2023 15:45

I had mine done over 20 years ago. Fuck me, thought I was going to pass out. Had to have a cup of tea with sugars in immediately after. My ear throbbed for weeks. Was at least a year before I could sleep on my left side. Took a long time to heal and had a lump at the back for years. Good luck.

Original poster
theoldhasgone · 09/03/2023 15:48

Lol see now I'm wondering!

OP posts:
cocksstrideintheevening · 09/03/2023 15:52

I had a double helix just before Christmas, all healed well but it's only the last few days I've noticed I can sleep on it. It was also difficult weee sunglasses the first couple of weeks so if you wear glasses to see id consider that!

Donnashair · 09/03/2023 15:52

I am just at 12 months and mines been fine (forget it’s there) for about 2 months. Having it done was fine. Couldn’t sleep on it for ages.

It’s been a bit temperamental. Kept flaring up and being sore, for no apparent reason. A bit weepy (white goo, I assume infection) but it’s been easily cleaned and cleared up.

I was brushing my hair the other week and caught it with my hair brush. It was sore for a couple of hours then fine.

I am actually now thinking of my next one but not sure what.

weaselwords · 09/03/2023 15:53

I had mine done 30 odd years ago and it was really sore afterwards and I ended up taking it out as it was such a pest. I found it very hard to sleep on.

Then about 5 years ago it was itching so I poked it with an earring and it went through and has been wearing an earring ever since! It is now my least problematic piercing but I wouldn’t recommend leaving it for 25 years 🤣

Martinisarebetterdirty · 09/03/2023 15:55

I had mine done by Maria Tash studios in May last year. I’ve tried to downsize three times and still told swollen and too soon. It’s so annoying, no one said don’t get on the side you sleep on when I got it done. It looks fine but because I sleep on that side (even with it in a halo pillow) it’s no longer straight and I’m wondering if I’m rejecting it. I wish I’d got a hoop rather than a bar as perhaps that would have been more stable. No puss or goo (or pain), just a bit swollen and catches all the time on my hair.

sixfoot · 09/03/2023 15:59

Maria Tash are notorious for selling earrings incompatible with initial piercings. It’s boring but much better to go for something titanium and very simple during piercing and healing period, then you can upgrade to whatever you want.

a you tuber had a nightmare with this - the earring they put in was completely unsuitable (and about £3k!!!!!)

journeyofsanity · 09/03/2023 16:03

weaselwords · 09/03/2023 15:53

I had mine done 30 odd years ago and it was really sore afterwards and I ended up taking it out as it was such a pest. I found it very hard to sleep on.

Then about 5 years ago it was itching so I poked it with an earring and it went through and has been wearing an earring ever since! It is now my least problematic piercing but I wouldn’t recommend leaving it for 25 years 🤣

My friend had exactly this experience. So funny that even though they were not fully healed, they stayed open and then never caused a problem!

Martinisarebetterdirty · 09/03/2023 16:04

@sixfoot are they? I chose them because they were on the association of British Piercers and I assumed therefore knew what they were doing? I didn’t spend thousands, just a normal plain stud thankfully!

sixfoot · 09/03/2023 16:09

I think the piercers are excellent but the stylists aren’t piercers! However a simple stud shouldn’t cause problems. I’m shocked they’ve refused to downsize you!!

GrimDamnFanjo · 09/03/2023 16:09

Mine take at least 6 months to settle and about a year to heal.
I have a flat on my sleeping side that I thought would never come good.
You need to go to a proper piercers and follow all the after care including downsizing.
And beware, it's addictive....

Original poster
theoldhasgone · 09/03/2023 16:45

Now I'm wondering if a tattoo there might be quicker to heal. Never had a tattoo.

OP posts:
Original poster
theoldhasgone · 09/03/2023 16:50

I've ordered some tiny temporary tattoos and honestly that might scratch the itch without months of pain!

OP posts:
Swiftbushome · 09/03/2023 17:35

I haven't got helix because I have the wrong ear shape apparently (!) But I do have tragus piercing and it's honestly been fine. Got it done a month ago and mostly do TRY and sleep on the other side but obviously I often wake up facing the other way and it hasn't caused me any problems so far. No pain, no gunk. Swelling gone. It's been great. Also I think because it's close to the face it's less likely to catch when you brush your hair. Might be one to think about?

Rayna37 · 09/03/2023 17:47

I had mine done nearly 25 years ago and don't remember it being any bother. Hadn't worn anything in it for about 20 years until I got the urge for a piercing recently, only to discover mine was still operational!

Might get another now. I'm sure it was a thread on here that made me dream about it, I woke up obsessed, out of nowhere!

Rockbird · 09/03/2023 17:50

I got a double helix nearly 3 years ago. One has been trouble free, the other is a pain in the arse, is prone to infection, prone to hurting, I still can't lie on that side normally. I love them and don't regret them but it's 50-50 whether they'll be fine or a complete ball ache.

soupmaker · 09/03/2023 18:00

Rayna37 · 09/03/2023 17:47

I had mine done nearly 25 years ago and don't remember it being any bother. Hadn't worn anything in it for about 20 years until I got the urge for a piercing recently, only to discover mine was still operational!

Might get another now. I'm sure it was a thread on here that made me dream about it, I woke up obsessed, out of nowhere!

As a result of this thread I went to check if mine had healed shut as not had an earring in it for years. Pushed a ring through with just a wee pop! Ear a bit warm but liking having it back in use.

Rayna37 · 09/03/2023 18:02

Ooh well done @soupmaker ! Mine was a bit hot at first, sore for a few days if I caught it but after week or less, like it had always been there!

Cotswoldmama · 09/03/2023 18:11

I've got a conch piercing and I couldn't lie on my side for about 3 months and it's really hard not to forget it's there and knock it. I would say that after about 4 months it had completely healed I even managed to change the earring myself with no issues after 4 months.

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