Bond adds that most people have fairly thin cartilage around their helix, so it’s one of the less painful cartilage piercings. “At Laura Bond we say it’s around a 5-6/10 for pain.”
How long does a helix piercing take to heal?
“Healing is subjective and is dependent on factors such as your overall health, sleep and stress levels, and your aftercare regimen,” says Freed. Makes sense, as our bodies react to and recover from physical stressors at different rates. But if you’re looking for an average estimate, Freed says at least two months.
“The initial healing time for a helix piercing is two-to-four months. For the piercing to be fully healed, it takes six-to-nine months. Healing timelines will vary based on your specific piercing and your body, but you’ll know your ear is healed once any discharge, swelling, redness, flaking, or soreness stops.”
“It does take longer than a lobe piercing because cartridge doesn’t have its own blood supply,” adds Emma Beizsley at White Thorn Piercing. “That’s why it tends to swell a bit more and take longer to heal.”
How do you take care of a helix piercing?
Proper aftercare is key to avoiding any complications. Freed’s recommendation is to keep your hands off the fresh piercing. “Don’t touch or twist,” Freed says. “Spray saline front and back no more than twice a day. You’ll also want to be careful of snags and sleeping on the piercing, as this disrupts the healing process.”
When you are cleaning, it’s important to stick to saline solution. Your piercer should supply you with a saline spray to take home (the pro piercers we spoke to all recommended NeilMed, which you can get on Amazon). The salt helps pull out excess discharge while increasing blood circulation. You’ll want to avoid rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or ointments, as they can dry out and further irritate your piercing, which will extend the total healing time.
Beizsley adds that its important to dry the ear after applying your saline solution, by gently dabbing it with a piece of dry, non-woven gauze or kitchen paper. “A new wound that is warm and moist is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria,” she explains. “You can even dry off your piercing with a warm hairdryer, but make sure the piercing is clean, as you could drive bacteria further into the wound. A Dyson is the most hygienic option, if you happen to have one.”
How do you sleep with a helix piercing?
“Standing up!” jokes Lamb. “I’m joking, of course. I generally ask my clients to use a travel pillow, the ones you wear on flights around your neck. But when caring for your ear, put your ear in the centre of the hole, instead.” He also asks clients to wash the pillow beforehand, as it’s hard to keep things sanitary while traveling. “You could also try sleeping on your other side, or on your back, but that can be a hard habit to get into.”