Helix piercing, was it a mistake?

[PersephoneParlormaid]

I’ve wanted more piercings for a long time, I’ve had 3 lobes pierced for many years, finally had a helix about 12 weeks ago. Decided to change from the longer original piercing flat back today, and I struggled to get it out. By the time I did the hole was bleeding and it feels tender and warm now. I couldn’t get the new flat back in so I’ve just got a butterfly back in now.
Will it always be like this? Will I always need someone else to change them? I don’t know where I’ve gone wrong and currently thinking of taking it out and letting it heal over.

Mine hadn’t healed in 12m so it could just be you took it out too early?

They take a long time to heal, possibly even up to a year. I’d leave the earring in and not change it for as long as possible.

helix piercings are always tricky just need a wee bit extra care @PersephoneParlormaid

I had a helix piercing in May and had the bar changed to a shorter length about 6 weeks after. I had that done at the same place as the original piercing and haven't tried to change since with no problems. I went to a very good place with great aftercare. Can you reach out to the place that did the piercing? If they are any good they should be able to take a look and advise. I would say it takes a lot longer to heal than the lobe. I have a Tragus also and left for a long time. I also think flat back is so much better!

It took about a year and a half for mine to fully heal.

It took from January until October for my 2nd and 3rd lobes to heal properly so maybe you've just changed them too soon. I bought an insertion tool to help with getting new flat back earrings in by myself although I have roped in dd before as well.

Mine was nearly healed after a year, but took 2 years to stop hurting

I think you’ve changed it too soon to be honest - I’m sure I was told each time not to change mine for at least 6 months. I have 5 helix piercings - 3 done singly and 2 done at the same time.

Id go back to the piercing place and ask them to put a proper labret bar in. They close very quickly and you’ll likely not get a proper bar back through it if you leave a smaller earring in it for any length of time

Healing takes so much longer than you think. Especially if your comparisons are lobe piercing. I had my helix done in May and I can change jewellery in it now but it still smarts/gets a bit warm when I do while the lobe piercing i had done at the same time on the other ear is completely fine and healed. I just wear a hinged hoop in it most of the time now and it's ok but still needs more tlc than my other ear piercings. It's not a mistake, just slow progress on the part of your ear!

I think I should have gone back to have it changed, rather than doing it myself. I can’t get in to the original place until Thursday now, so I hope it won’t go too narrow while the normal earring is in.

I’d left the original earring in for 10 weeks when they said it needs reducing at around 6 weeks, so it’s not too soon.

You are looking at 2 years for a helix to settle
down.

I might get another piercing while I’m there!

It’s addictive isn’t it ! I have three in each lobe. Helix in each ear and a conch. They have all healed well. Helix have been in for about 3 years. I take them all out every day as I find it uncomfortable to sleep in them and flat backs fiddly. Weirdly my third started to close even though that’s been in 2 years. All mine have butterflies. The conch was very painful for a while especially sleeping on it.

I can recommend a forward helix!

I had mine done about 10 years ago and still love it.

I have 3x lobe in each ear, 1 ear has helix, tragus and rook, other has a daith. Helix was the worst to heal and I've had it over 20 years and still remember! (Although my daith is suddenly playing up because I can only sleep on the side it's in because of an injury 😭)

you changed it far too early! 12-18 months healing time for a helix. If they told you to go back to get it downsized that’s something your piercer should do, not you at home

Yes, they told me to go back to get it downsized but I thought I could just do it myself!

All sorted by a professional today! Feels much better already