Helix Piercing Guide: What to Know Before You Get Pierced
- Growth Foundry
- Aug 6
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 13
A helix piercing goes through the outer rim of the upper ear, also known as the helix area. It’s a popular choice for people who want an edgy but versatile look, whether it’s a single piercing or part of a double helix. This guide covers everything you need to know about helix piercings, including risks like infection or scarring.
If you still have questions or need piercing services in Mississauga, Ontario, call Xtremities Tattoo & Piercing Studio at (905) 897-3503.
What Is a Helix Piercing?
A helix piercing is a piercing on the upper cartilage of the ear, right along the outer rim. This part, called the helix, is thick and firm. It’s a safe area to pierce if you have enough cartilage to support the jewellery.
This style is ideal for people who want to add an edge to their ear without touching the lobe. It’s also flexible; you can start with one piercing and later add a double or triple helix look as your ear heals.
Helix Piercing Meaning: Why People Get It
Most people get an ear helix piercing to express their style or mark a moment that means something. It’s a small way to feel bold, celebrate a change, or simply add something new to their ear. Some love how it looks with other ear piercings, while others choose it because it feels personal and a bit edgy. It can be a first cartilage piercing or part of a full ear stack.
Types of Helix Piercings
There are several ways to pierce the helix, depending on location and how many holes you want.
Single helix piercing – One hole through the upper rim
Double helix piercing– Two stacked holes
Triple helix ear piercing – Three aligned piercings along the helix area
Forward helix – Closer to the face, at the root of the helix
Mid helix piercing – Centre of the helix, between the upper and lower edge
Lower helix piercing – Just above the lobe, before the curve begins
Each has its piercing style and jewellery options. Triple helix piercings offer symmetry, while the forward helix looks bold and stylish.
Does a Helix Piercing Hurt?
A helix piercing causes a quick pinch. Most people rate helix piercing pain on a scale of 1 to 10 as 3–5. Cartilage has fewer nerve endings than the lobe, but it’s denser. That’s why you’ll feel a short, sharp sensation instead of a dull throb, depending on your pain threshold.
If you’re worried about the piercing being painful, know it lasts only a second. Afterwards, most people feel pressure or mild heat. This fades within a few hours.
Is Helix Piercing Dangerous?
Helix piercing is generally safe when done by a professional piercer using sterile tools. The risks are low, but like all cartilage piercings, it can become painful or infected if not cared for properly. A piercing gun should never be used, as it can cause tissue damage. Choose a clean studio and follow the proper helix piercing care guide to reduce the chance of infection, bumps, or scarring.
Who Should Avoid Getting a Helix Pierced?
Avoid it if you have a history of keloid scarring, skin infections, or immune issues. Flat or thin cartilage may not support the piercing well. Pregnant people should also wait.
Your piercer will assess your ears before piercing. If it doesn’t feel right, they won’t force it.
Healing Time and Helix Piercing Aftercare
Healing for a helix piercing takes 3 to 9 months, depending on your skin and how well you follow aftercare tips. Cartilage piercings heal more slowly than lobe piercings because they have less blood flow.
Clean your helix piercing twice a day with a sterile saline spray (avoid alcohol or peroxide). Let it air dry or gently pat with a paper towel. Avoid touching, twisting, or changing the jewellery too early.
How to Heal a Helix Piercing Fast
The fastest way to heal your helix piercing is to keep it clean, leave it alone, and avoid pressure on the ear. Clean it twice daily with sterile saline spray, don’t twist the jewellery, and avoid sleeping on that side. Letting the skin stay undisturbed helps heal without irritation. Tight hats, headphones, and touching can delay healing, so skip them while it’s still fresh. Eat well, sleep enough, and avoid anything that rubs or presses against the helix area.
What Slows Down Healing?
Sleeping on the pierced side
Wearing headphones or hats that press on your ears
Dirty pillowcases or hair products near the piercing area
Switching jewellery too early
Risks of a Helix Piercing: Infection, Scarring, and More
The most common risks are infection, scarring, or irritation from bad jewellery or poor hygiene.
Signs of a helix piercing infection include:
Swelling or pain after 3+ days
Yellow or green discharge
Jewellery pushing out (rejection)
Call your piercer or health provider if symptoms appear. Do not remove the jewellery unless advised, as it can trap infection inside.
What a Piercer Does During the Piercing Process
A professional piercer cleans your ear, marks the helix area, pierces with a hollow needle, and inserts the jewellery.
Step-by-Step Piercing Process
Clean the outer ear and cartilage with an antiseptic
Mark the entry/exit points with a sterile pen
Use a sterile, hollow needle to pierce the cartilage
Insert jewellery (stud or ring)
Offer helix piercing aftercare advice
Styling Helix Piercings: How to Create a Custom Look on Your Ears
Once healed, you can create custom stacks by mixing hoops, studs, and cuffs. Try matching gold cartilage studs with delicate chains or adding helix earrings on one side and lobe piercing on the other.
Popular Styling Ideas
Triple helix ear piercing with chains
Double helix with gold studs and ear cuffs
Mid helix piercing with gemstone earring
Always use jewellery with smooth edges and flat backs to avoid snagging or discomfort.
Cost of a Helix Piercing in Mississauga ON
Helix piercings cost between CAD 45 and 75 in Mississauga ON. The final price depends on the piercing shop, jewellery material, like steel, titanium, or gold, and where on the ear you’re pierced. If you’re planning to take the plunge with multiple ear piercings, Xtremities offers a 3-for-1 piercing deal.
You can mix cartilage placements like the helix with lobes or earlobe piercings in one visit, helping you save money and start the healing process together across different areas.
Talk to a Professional With Experience in Ear Piercings
At Xtremities Tattoo & Piercing Studio, our piercers have helped thousands of people get pierced safely. We know ears, cartilage anatomy, and all piercing styles. If you’re into helix studs, hoops, or want a triple helix piercing, we’ll walk you through it. We listen to you and make recommendations to ensure you have a good piercing experience. Even if you're a beginner with a low pain tolerance, we've got you.
Get:
Surgical steel, titanium, and gold helix earrings
Needle-only techniques
Call (905) 897-3503 or visit us at 37 Dundas St W, Mississauga.
FAQs
How painful is a helix ear piercing on a scale of 1 to 10?
Most people rate it between 3 and 5. It’s a quick pinch and usually tolerable.
What are the safest helix earrings to wear during healing?
Use cartilage studs made of surgical steel or titanium. Avoid hoops until your ear is fully healed.
What’s the best cartilage piercing for layering stud, gold, and hoop earrings?
If you like mixing jewellery styles, cartilage piercings like the helix, forward helix, and conch are ideal. These spots fit everything from gold studs to hoop earrings, and let you build a layered look without crowding your ear.
Can a triple helix piercing include chains or matching ear cuffs?
Yes, many people style a triple helix piercing with small chains connecting the studs or by pairing them with ear cuffs. It’s a stylish way to highlight the outer ear without needing additional helix piercings.
How does a double helix piercing feel compared to getting pierced once?
A double helix piercing means two holes placed along the upper cartilage. It feels like two sharp pinches, and healing may take a bit longer since the area is pierced twice, but most people say it’s manageable.
Should I choose labret studs or a small hoop earring for my first cartilage piercing?
Piercers usually recommend starting with a flat-back stud because it stays in place and reduces movement. Once healed, you can safely switch to a hoop earring or curved bar that matches your style.
How do I choose a piercing shop that’s safe for cartilage piercings?
Look for a piercing shop that uses sterile, single-use needles (not guns), offers implant-grade jewellery, and follows provincial health standards. A good shop will explain the process clearly and help you choose safe options for your cartilage and skin type.
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