How to Heal a Helix

I recently had my ear pierced in what is most commonly known as a 'Helix' piercing. As I am being asked a lot about this piercing and my experiences with…

By Tara Moss

Apr 12, 2015

I recently had my ear pierced in what is most commonly known as a ‘Helix’ piercing (to denote the outer ear) and is sometimes also called a ‘Pinna’, or the more anatomically specific ‘Scaphoid Fossa’. This type of piercing goes through the cartilage of the ear, and therefore takes much longer to heal than the ear lobe. Cartilage piercings are notoriously tough to heal on some, while others do well with this type of piercing.

As I am being asked a lot about this piercing and my experiences with healing, I thought I would share some of the best pre-piercing and aftercare advice/research I’ve come across so far, in the hopes of good healing. I hope the following info is helpful for those of you who are considering a new piercing or are having troubles with old ones:

1) GO TO A PROFESSIONAL

All piercings should be carried out by professionals – including the common ear lobe piercings – but it is especially important that cartilage piercings, and piercings on other sensitive body parts are carried out by trained professionals who do such piercings for a living. As a professional, your piercer should be able to explain the pros and cons of your choice and all aspects of aftercare, and you should be able to return if you encounter any problems or need to change the jewellery for any reason (which is not recommended during healing, ideally, as changing the jewellery can re-traumatise the wound).

2) SAY NO TO THE GUN

Ear piercing guns are often inaccurate and are known to cause unnecessary blunt trauma, forcing a blunt-ended stud earring through your ear, resulting in tearing and scar tissue. (Or leaving you with a very sharp, pointed backing on your earring, which for obvious reasons is also problem.) They also commonly give you a shorter length studs, which in some cases can cause the earring to be ‘swallowed up’ by your ear when it swells during the healing process. (Reports also suggest ear piercing guns may have sterilisation issues, and can therefore potentially spread serious infections.) In short, they are not recommended for this type of piercing. If you go to a piercing professional, they will not use a gun. If they want to use a gun, think again about how experienced they are.

A professional should make your piercing using a sterile hollow gauge needle. (They look like this.)

3) CHOOSE YOUR JEWELLERY WISELY, AND DON’T CHANGE IT

A professional piercer will have a range of appropriate jewellery available for your fresh piercing, and will put the jewellery in once the piercing is made. You will not need your own jewellery. The jewellery should be high grade piercing jewellery. The jewellery the piercer places in your fresh piercing will keep it from closing up again, and should not be removed during the (long) healing process. There are various views on the best style of jewellery for a Helix, so tell your chosen piercer what you like the look of, and take their advice on board. Some prefer the round ‘sleeper’ style that hugs the edge of the outer ear, as it is less likely to catch on hair and clothing, while others advise against a curved earring in a straight healing piercing and instead like the straight bar or long stud style, making sure it is long enough to give the piercing room to breathe and to avoid problems during the expected initial swelling.

I went with a straight bar with a screw on pearl-look bead to match the pearl studs my late mother Janni got married in, as I wear them often. The bead in my piercing is not a real pearl, as genuine pearls, being organic, do not survive cleaning well. As the bead screws off, I can replace it with another bead of a different colour if necessary, though I would wait a while to do that as it would irritate the area. While the piercing is fresh, I am clipping my hair back on one side with hair pins behind the ear, to keep the hair out of the way (and show it off.)

Once your piercing is fully healed, enjoy experimenting with different jewellery.

4) GET ONE DONE AT A TIME

A Helix will take a long time to heal, and you will not want sleep on it for some time. Personally, I like the asymmetrical look, but if you intend to get both ears done to match, I recommend doing one at a time and not doing the other side until the first one is as healed as possible. Multiple piercings up one ear can look great, but again I would personally recommend playing it safe by doing one at a time, and letting each heal before getting another, so you can get a handle on any swelling or other issues that may arise for you.

5) KEEP IT CLEAN

Keep your piercing clean, always clean your hands before touching it, use only clean pillows and bed linen, and do not use any cosmetics or makeup on the area of your piercings under any circumstances. Expect some redness and localised swelling. This will pass. Cleanliness is key, and as with everything else, clean living will also help your healing time and general health.

6) TREAT YOUR PIERCING TO REGULAR SALT BATHS

Salt or saline baths are generally agreed to be the best tried and tested technique for keeping piercings clean. Most piercers will recommend soaking your piercing in this way every day while it heals. It is not recommended that you use drying or harsh cleaners like peroxide, alcohol, etc.

To make a salt bath: boil water and pour it into a small bowl or wide mouthed mug, and stir in one tablespoon of salt. (I have been using pure rock salt). Allow the salt to dissolve in the water and wait until the hot water to cool enough that it won’t burn you. I test with my finger, or even my other ear to make sure it is comfortable enough. Once it is a good temperature, dip your piercing into the water and keep it there for 2 minutes. (For me that involves resting my right ear into the water and waiting patiently for the 2 minutes to pass.) You may feel it sting very gently in the piercing after about a minute. Have a towel on hand as the hair around your ear will be soaking wet.

I bought a saline spray for piercings as a back up because of my frequent travel for work, and though it was probably better than nothing I found that it did little.

Have 2 salt baths a day for the first month if at all possible. If your piercing takes a turn and starts to swell again and feel hot (some of which is to be expected initially) salt baths will likely again help.

Here is an image of my piercing looking a bit red, and swelling up across the outer ear around day 4. I’d been using the saline spray instead of salt baths due to travel and once I stuck to the twice daily salt baths again it settled right down:

swellinghelix

7) CONSIDER EMU OIL

Emu Oil is a anti-inflammatory that has been used for centuries by Australia’s Aboriginal communities as a natural remedy. Some piercers swear by it (The Piercing Bible, among others, calls it a miracle product) for healing new or troubled piercings. If you want to try this oil, make sure the product you use is 100% Emu oil (no substitutes). It should not have a smell. To use, once you have gently cleaned your piercing, take a small amount of 100% Emu oil and massage it around the area with clean fingers (or gloved hand), without directly touching the piercing. The oil will soak into the skin and lubricate the piercing wound, helping the healing process. I use a small amount twice a day.

It is not appropriate for vegetarians. (If you know of a safe vegetarian alternative, please let me know in the comments).

8) AVOID

Avoid tight necklines that will pull on your ear. Avoid swimming in pools. Avoid submerging your piercing in a bath as baths can harbour bacteria (Showers are preferred). Avoid sleeping on top of your new piercing. Avoid playing with it or touching it except when cleaning. Protect your new piercing from being bumped against because trust me, it hurts.

9) GIVE IT TIME 

Cartilage ear piercings may take up to a year to fully heal, but generally take 3-6 months (as opposed to the ear lobe, that takes just 4-6 weeks). They heal from the outside in, so even if it looks fine on the outside, you should not assume it is fully healed. Having said all this, everyone heals differently and some piercings don’t work out on some people. If it doesn’t work out for you, make sure you seek professional help, and don’t blame yourself.

I am thrilled with my piercing so far, and it is healing extremely well. Wish me luck with the ongoing healing process.

I hope this info was helpful for those of you who are considering a new piercing or are having troubles with old ones. Always speak with a professional about your piercings.

Good luck x

taramosscamping

* For more information on piercing aftercare, check out the Body Art Association of Australia and New Zealand.

* For more images of Helix piercings, check out my Pinterest page.

* There are many good, qualified piercing professionals. Check your local listings and ask around. I went to K at Pierced Off and found her to be very professional.

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47 Comments

  1. Laura rose

    How long does it take for a helix piercing not to be sore to touch? I really want to get my helix pierced and I absolutely love yours and I’m going skiing in the middle of December and I was wondering if I get my helix pierced sometime soon will I still be able wear a ski helmet comfortably in December or should I wait?
    I do really want to get it pierced but worried about pain/healing time!
    L x

    Reply
  2. Tara Moss

    Dear Laura Rose,
    I highly recommend that you wait until after your ski trip to get your piercing, as it will be sore for a six weeks or more when you put pressure on it, like a helmet. It takes about 6 months to really heal (or up to a year for some). For that first of those weeks, and months, sleeping directly on it, or wearing a helmet tightly over it will aggravate the healing and will make it feel sore.
    Good luck with your piercing! I love mine.
    Best wishes, Tara

    Reply
  3. Avery Grey

    I have been wanting to get a helix piercing for the past few months but I have heard that they are really hard on your ears. I had no idea that there were other methods besides the piercing gun! That is what they have used on my other three piercings so I will have to look into the sterile needle that you talked about. Hopefully I can do the right research and find a great professional to do the job for me. Thanks for sharing this information!

    Reply
  4. michael

    Great article, most helpful, thankyou!!

    Reply
  5. Mrs N

    Great article. I have a double forward helix and whilst I love it has given me trouble since I had it done…3 years ago! As I have small ears the first piercing which sits in the fold of skin, that joins the top of my ear to my head, refuses to heal fully. It’s ok for a while then it’ll flare up and be sore or even bleeds a little. I always go back to the salt baths which does calm it down. Cartlidge piercings can be troublesome and you may be unlucky like me and have to pay it some attention occasionally but I wouldn’t be without them. My little bit of Middle aged rebellion!

    Reply
  6. Lynne

    Hi. i got mine done 4 days ago and itms still in agony. how long did your pain last? because to me it’s throbbing and seems to be getting worse but that could just be my healing process. any advice?

    Reply
  7. Tara Moss

    Dear Lynne,
    I’m sorry your new helix is hurting more than expected. I highly recommend salt ear baths, avoiding sleeping on it, or irritating it with pressure, hair products or other germs or catching it on clothes/tight necklines, etc. If the pain is very bad you may wish to have it examined by your doctor. It is common in the early weeks for it to be red and sore. Mine is fully healed now, and I love it, but it did get red and a bit sore for months, particularly if I got hairspray near it or accidentally slept on it. Good luck. Best wishes, Tara

    Reply
  8. Erika lomack

    Great article !! I got mine done 3 days ago and I haven’t felt pain yet lol .. Maybe I have a high tolerance

    Reply
  9. Nikki M

    Hi Tara Thanks for the informative article. I had my helix done yesterday for the third time . The first two times were done with a gun. So far so good this time however im still full of anxiety and hoping it wont hurt like hell as the last two piercings did were I was forced to take out the stud just to relieve the agony. Am doing the salt thing soaking cotton pads in the salt water as instructed. Thank again for your sharing.

    Reply
  10. Stephanie

    Hello,

    I’ve had my helix piercing since December 2014 and I still cannot sleep on it! If I do occasionally sleep on it, it gets slightly inflamed and sensitive. I thankfully do not have a bump, but I have never heard of anyone experiencing sensitivity after a year. Is this normal?

    Reply
  11. rebekah stephenson

    Heey i got my helix on the 22 of March and I was wondering what type of salt should i use to clean?

    Reply
  12. Hannah

    Hi Tara,

    Great, informative article! I got mine done on the 5th of March and have had no troubles with it at all! I am going skiing in July and was wondering if this is enough healing time? Also, will my ear be irritated if I change it to a hoop piercing a couple weeks before I go?

    Thanks!

    Reply
  13. Bex

    I absolutely agree with everything! I had my helix done two weeks ago, stupidly I also got my front helix on the other ear the same day so sleep has been a tad painful!

    I had a bit of…ahem fun a couple of nights ago and my ear bar got caught up in my hair and pulled pretty badly so it’s quite sore at the moment :'( I would say it’s the most painful to heal because it’s so exposed, and can get bashed or hair tangled around it so easily so I would accept up dos for a while to avoid this! Hannah, I was advised to leave at least 6 weeks before changing the piercing so since yours seems to be healing ok, I would say changing to a hoop would probably be fine, not sure about the pressure of ski goggles though :/

    The woman who did mine is a friend with years of experience and loads of her own piercings so I trust her implicitly…Lynne if yours is still that bad now I would suggest you go back to your piercer for advice. Same to Stephanie, I agree doctors can tell if it is infected and provide antibiotics if necessary but a professional piercer also knows what it should/shouldn’t be like after a year. I’ve had friends who’s helix never healed so I guess it is possible that you’re experiencing those types of problems but a piercer will know best…just don’t take it out unless advised to by a professional piercer that you trust.

    Mrs N I still have occasional problems with my first lobe piercings that were done 22 years ago! It was done with a gun and went at an odd angle so it occasionally gets sore and inflamed with thicker earrings…the price we pay for decoration!!

    A very I don’t know where you are but it’s illegal in many places (such as England) to pierce cartilage with a gun now so you may be wise to find a different piercer.

    Anyhoo that’s my two pence (!) thank you for the article Tara xx

    Reply
  14. Angel

    Hey, i had mine pierced more than a year ago and still it wont heal, i dont wanna remove it as the piercing will close, i dunno what to do really cos it will swell at times and it won’t.. But i really want it healed.. :/

    Reply
  15. Andrea

    Thanks for the article, it’s quite helpful. I had mine done five days ago and I accidentally slept on it on the third day. At first it was swollen, red and it “bumped”(like heartbeats but on my ear). I did the salt bath mentioned in the article… The bumping disappeared but the swelling and redness won’t disappear (I’m doing the salt baths twice a day). Is it normal to be like that? Red and swollen with no pain? I’m fearing of an infection, but it doesn’t hurt (unless I touch the piercing) and it has no strange liquids coming out of it as some internet articles say it should if it’s an infection… Please help!

    Reply
  16. Elsie

    This is a very helpful article. Thank you!

    Reply
  17. Victoria D

    I got my cartilage done almost 4 months ago and it just started hurting again this past week. I’m not sure why, it’s not infected, but I was just wondering what I can do to help because it was feeling fine before. Thank you!

    Reply
  18. Tara Moss

    Dear Victoria, Every time it becomes red or painful again, try regular salt baths for a few days and it should settle down. It is normal for this to happen for the first 6-12 months as the deeper, internal healing continues. Good luck!
    Best wishes,
    Tara

    Reply
  19. Tara Moss

    Dear Andrea,
    I would recommend seeing your doctor if you are concerned, but in the early days and weeks a certain amount of redness and swelling is considered normal.
    Good luck!
    Best wishes,
    Tara

    Reply
  20. Jessica Anne

    I just got my helix pierced 2 days ago and the bar has slid to the front and is longer at the front than the back is this okay? Or should I slide it back?

    Reply
  21. K

    Hello ladies, I got my piercing done in October this year and all was fine till I stopped caring for it and it started getting swollen. Now both front and back of the piercing is swollen with bumps and hurts a lot too. What can I do ?

    Reply
  22. Tittah Collins

    Hi, your article is great! I just got my Helix done 3 days ago and been doing the salt baths. Feels great. A tad uncomfortable just sleeping on one side. Really helpful article! Thanks

    Reply
  23. Jess

    I woke up and my helix was hurting really bad! My mum looked at it and said it looked lightly purple and a little swollen, I’ve had it pierced for 2 weeks now and it’s been fine and I’ve been using the spray they gave me and warm salt water and also proxide. What should I do to help it?

    Reply
  24. Jordyn

    Hi, I don’t know if this thread thingy is still active or not but what can I lose?
    So 6 days ago, I got my lower back helix pierced as I plan to get my triple helix done. My piercer was confused at first as to what I wanted and eventually realised she had the wrong jewellry at the ready. She shrugged her shoulders and said it should be fine. Anyway, she jabbed me good, I gave the money and left, extremely happy. However, throughout this week the barbell has CONSTANTLY been snagging on clothes, hair, towels, jewellry and even bedding.
    It’s now swollen, throbbing and infected and I’m dying to change the jewllery to a hoop to minimalise any further catching. But I’m worried the curved jewelry will reshape the healing path and stuff it up for later on and I don’t know whether it will just make it worse.
    My daith was also infected within the first week hen I got it done a few months ago, to the point where I could barely think from the fevers and headaches. I just got a q-tip and dipped it in tea-tree oil and lathered it on the jewellery moving it in and out of the hole. I then repeated with colloidal silver. For anyone with infections, pure colloidal silver worked for my infected daith after two days (applied twice daily). So, does magic exist? Yes, it does!
    Please help me if anyone is here!😂

    Reply
  25. Ali Skye

    Amazing article. I had my helix pierced around 5 weeks ago and it has been perfectly fine up until a few days ago. It started to go back to the initial pain of getting it pierced. Now it is swollen and very sore to touch. I am going to try the salt baths. Should I be worried? Should I leave it and keep spraying it every day?

    Reply
  26. Ashlee

    Hi everyone
    I got my helix done awhile ago & note looking for earrings to swap, preferably rose gold. Any suggestions for websites to purchase? I live in Darwin so not many options up here. Cheers

    Reply
  27. Ricky

    I got my helix done with a gun at piercing pagoda…had no problem with it. (I wanted to test if the gun really is as bad as everyone says it is) Just use the cleaner they provide you with twice a day and you’ll be fine.

    Reply
  28. Renee

    Thank you so much for this article. I stumbled across it while Googling, “healing for helix piercings”. Like Ricky above, I too, went to Pagoda and they used a gun (I did not do the research I should have), however, I’m fine. I had it done a few days ago, and it is doing exactly what yours did (slight redness, slight soreness). Thank you for the salt bath tip — I had no idea! I love my new piercing and will take good care of it now that I’ve read your tips. By the way, you are gorgeous and your helix rocks. Best, Renee in South Florida

    Reply
  29. Frances

    Grapeseed oil does it best as it has healing properties, very thin consistency, and has natural anti bacterial too. Vegans can opt for Grapeseed instead of Emu.

    Reply
  30. sara

    I got my ear pierced a month ago and it swelled a little,my syupid doctor told me to clean it with alcohol,and when it swelled I read on the internet that I should remove the earings and clean it n put them back on,I do that sometimes,but when I remove my earings my ear bleeds a little.It’s gonna be summer soon,and I can’t swim because of this stupid thing,I’m really bummed out,don’t do it guys it’s not worth it trust me.

    Reply
  31. Lauren Probst

    I got my right ear done a month ago was fine slightly sore was told to take ibuprofen to numb the pain did this for a week it worked! -I then went and got my bar taken out and changed for a hoop at the tattoo shop I had it done at. Then stupidly got my left helix ear pierced putting a hoop straight in. I’m feeling a lot more pain in my left ear I haven’t been able to sleep and unfortunately I have no ibuprofen until I finish work Saturday. It feels very tight and throbbing a lot but it’s easy to move to clean just sore. I recommend not getting both ears done together. Wait for one ear to be healed first before even thinking of doing it again lol
    Hope this helps someone

    Reply
  32. Nikolina

    Hi! So two days ago I got my Helix piercing and I didn’t really think of the fact that we are going on vacation in less then 2 months. I wanna know if the sea water is bad for the healing process, etc.

    Reply
  33. Chrissy

    I made the mistake of getting both helix at the same time. First night I had trouble sleeping but now I use a travel pillow and no problems anymore. I keep it clean with Bandaid brand wound solution. It has benzoyl chloride and lidocaine for pain. It’s healing very well going on 2 days.

    Reply
  34. Alex

    I got my helix done today, but I have no idea whether I’m supposed to twist/twirl it when I’m cleaning it or just LEAVE IT ALONE! Can someone please tell me what I’m supposed to do?!

    Reply
  35. Portia Chalmers

    Hi I had my Helix done a week ago and it is painful to touch what do I do

    Reply
  36. Richelle

    I got a helix piercing done about a month ago however by September (when the piercing would be 10 weeks old), I need to take the piercing out for a bit because I need to get a passport photo. Will that lead to a bad consequence?

    Reply
  37. Rick

    Have had my Helix done for around a year with a small hoop in it. Usually it hurts…right now it hurts extra and is pussing and oozing…trying to hold out…not very good at being careful with it. Maybe I’ll try the salt bath…

    Reply
  38. Caryn

    This was indeed a fantastically helpful article, thank you Tara! Today is my 2 week Helix piercing anniversary. I did it myself with a gun. It didn’t hurt at all when I did it but hurt like heck for 4 days after! (Throbbing, redness). It is still a bit red and does have a tiny bit of yellowish discharge once a day or every other day. There are no red streaks and the swelling is gone altho it is still a bit red up there. I am diligently dunking it in salt water in the morning and then at night gently cleaning with an antibacterial soap and another salt water dunk. Hurts to touch still (but those first days it hurt to even LOOK at it!) but I am steadfastly hopeful that I can continue to care for it and keep it

    Reply
  39. Leigh

    I had my helix done 4 days ago it is not red or swollen it just hurts is this normal. I had mine done with a needle not a gun.

    Reply
  40. Joanna Hourigan

    I had my helix pierced in 1995…it took years to heal fully and was impossible to sleep on at times. I removed it at some stage maybe five years later or so and just recently decided to put an earring in again because I love how it looks . The hole hadn’t closed so I thought it would be fine. It isnt!
    It’s so painful even though it isn’t infected or swollen or anything. I wouldn’t recommend having it done around important exam times or anything like that because it certainly can disturb your sleep.

    Reply
  41. Kim

    I had my helix pierced by a gun yesterday as a result of a hasty decision. It was a bit sore the first hour but the redness and the throbbing disappeared around the third hour. Later that night I had it soaked in a saltwater wash (1/4 salt; 8oz water) and slept on my opposite side the enitre night (thankfully i dont move much in sleep)
    When i woke up its not red nor sore but there is still a slight tingle occasionally, though it can be easily ignored. I had the soak again and I’m hoping the swelling phase (when does it start???) won’t be too bad. My parents don’t know about it LOL

    Reply
  42. Sarah

    I got my double helix peircing done 2 days ago, the first few hours it hurt quite a bit from the throbbing and my ear felt very warm and looked red, this was gone by the next day. I get the occasional throb every now and then but it doesn’t hurt it just feels uncomfortable. The only time it hurts is when I touch it or knock it. If you have long hair then I recommend getting a ring because I got a bar and the back is continuously getting caught on my hair. Also salt water is super good for it so I reccomemd going to the beach if you live nearby. Remember to keep it clean and hopefully you’ll love it just as much as I love mine :))

    Reply
  43. Marcela

    Hi,. I got the helix pierced on each ear 4 days ago. One barely hurts the other ear which was pierced second on the same day hurts more but not throughout the day since I leave it alone. It mostly hurts when I’m cleaning it with the aftercare solution they gave me and if I accidentally touch it. Will the salt baths help with this. Thanks.

    Reply
  44. bianca

    hello! I was wondering if i will be okay if I have recently gotten my helix done with a gun. Also, should I stick with a salt bath instead of using Seline spray?
    thanks a bunch!!

    Reply
  45. Cathy

    THAKN YOU!! This is the most clear and informational article on how to heal Helix piercings!! I had the exact same experience with the salt baths (miracle treatment!) vs the saline spray (didn’t help much). Thanks also for the note on Emu Oil (and not being appropriate for vegetarians). 💖🙏🏻💖

    Reply
  46. Taylor D

    I just got a helix piercing 4 days ago. Is it still supposed to be a little red, sore, and swollen? I can’t find much info online. I’ve been using a salt spray (H2ocean) recommended by the guy who pierced my ear (with a needle, not a gun) multiple times a day. It’s not oozing or anything. I just can’t figure what’s normal and what’s not. Any info would really be appreciated. I don’t know what to do! I’m terrified of getting an infection.

    Reply
  47. Yen

    Thank you for the tip about soaking my new piercing in a bowl of hot salty water. I got my flat and lobe/cartilage pierced 5 days ago and the piercing sites have been getting red and sore, despite my keeping the area very clean and using a saline spray on the piercings. I found your blog yesterday and tried the salty water in bowl tip last night and again this morning and already the soreness is much reduced as is the redness. Thanks very much!

    Reply

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