Helix piercing advice

[PoppyJM]

My dd (16) wants to get a helix piercing - any advice appreciated.

She had her lobes done with a needle, she was meticulous about looking after them, but they took 14 months to be really properly healed and give her no more issues. Up until that time, they would from time to time get red and need saline. Now, she doesn’t manage with anything more than a really light weight earring in them as I think she’s afraid of aggravating them or stretching them.

If her lobes were such a pain in the arse to get sorted, what will the helix be like? And if it doesn’t go well, could she just take it out?

I’m bit on the fence. Any advice appreciated.

My DD, at 15, pierced her own lobes, her greatest, probably only, act of teenage rebellion. I did not freak out but took her to a tattoo parlour to have the piercings checked. They told her she had done a good job. You can imagine the triumphalism 🙄

Later, she had her helix done and decided in less than 24 hours that she didn't like it. She took it out and the piercing healed fully and quickly. So yes, your DD can take it out without ill effect.

In your shoes, I would ask for advice from a piercer/tattooist on the wisdom or otherwise of having the helix done, given your DD's experience with her lobes.

I’ve tried and failed 3 times to have a helix piercing-they just wouldn’t heal. They are notoriously difficult to heal, unfortunately. I’ve got 3x lobes piercings (including ones I did myself 🙈) and a daith piercing which all healed with no issues whatsoever.

Id be very cautious especially if her lobes took that long to heal (usually 6 weeks).

But yes, she can definitely just take it out. I do have a little bit of scar tissue left but it’s not really noticeable.

I've got double helix pericings left and right, they have never been an issue. Make sure you get short 'bars' or whatever they called so she can sleep on them.

had them done in Claire's years ago

My sister did her own with a needle and ice, also no issues.

Might something like this be an alternative?

https://www.astridandmiyu.com/collections/ear-cuffs?gadsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAADvE4Iyu5RUUGmcB8rvZGQbhG2opV&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImbvrwezYhQMVTolQBh3MEgFyEAAYASAAEgKoQDDBwE

Similar experience here.

The throbbing 2 or three days after piercing was something else!

Mine took 18 months to fully heal. During this time it was painful to sleep on and I struggled to change the earring. It's fine now but it was a bit of a perseverance test!

I tried with my latest helix for 18 months before giving up 😣.

I have helix and forward helix. They need good aftercare and take ages to heal. Done properly by a good piercer, as long as she is patient and looks after it, it should be OK. The worst bit for me was not sleeping on that side for months.

There is a tattoo section on MN, although you are not talking about tattoos per se, you might find more people with piercing experience on there. Although, admittedly, l think it has a smaller following than S&B.

My lobes never healed properly (probably due to being done with a gun) but my helix was really straight forwards!

My helix never settled and I tried for months! Ended up taking it out.

My tragus, daith and conch piercings were all great but that bloody helix wasn't playing ball.

Another one with a failed helix, and I looked after it meticulously. I also got it done at a reputable tattoo/piercing shop. Was gutted when I had to take it out, but it just wasn't healing and was causing me constant pain whenever it was knocked. I am prone to keloid scarring though (although have 7 lobe piercings that have never bothered me). My friend had her helix pieced with me at the same shop and she never had any issues with it, so it was definitely my body just not taking to it

I’ve got several piercings and whilst helix looks good it was very difficult to heal. 12-18m is usual.
You need a long bar (not a short one) at first to account for any swelling, which it will for a bit, and also helix is easy to get snagged on hair, hats etc which can make it swell.
Mine is still a bit tricky to sleep on and occasionally I need to use the donut pillow with my piercing in the hole as it’s a bit uncomfortable. But having said all that I like mine, it’s a cartilage piercing so won’t be as easy to heal as a lobe.