If you’re looking for an eye-catching new way to display your body jewelry, a double helix piercing might be perfect for you. Keep reading to find out more about this popular piercing as well as double helix healing time, double helix jewelry, how to clean a double helix piercing, and aftercare.
Very similar to the helix piercing, the double helix piercing is a type of ear piercing that involves two piercings on the cartilage of your ear. Below you’ll find our guide to getting this popular cartilage piercing, including the types of jewelry that go with it, how to clean your piercings, and piercing aftercare.
First, you should know the helix is the name for the outer rim of the ear. This piercing can be done on the upper portion of the helix, which is most common, or a little lower down. The forward helix is a separate but related type of cartilage piercing along the forward section of your helix, opposite the usual location of the double helix. The forward helix is a separate but related type of cartilage piercing along the forward section of your helix, above the ear canal and tragus and opposite the usual location of the double helix. Sometimes the helix piercing is called the standard helix, contrasting with the forward, or anti-helix piercing.
What is a Double Helix Piercing?
Double Helix Piercing Location:
The double helix piercing is typically found on the upper part of your ear cartilage, as shown in the accompanying image, though it can also be located a little bit lower along the helix. The double forward helix piercing is located just across from the double helix location, in the forward part of your cartilage, which is above the tragus.
Double Helix Piercing Process:
It’s usually done with a hollow 16 gauge needle, though some piercers may use an 18 or 14 gauge needle, depending on the specifics of your ear. Speak with a piercing professional for a full overview of the process of getting a double helix piercing.
Healing Time:
Up to 6 months.
Recommended Jewelry:
Captive bead rings, stud earrings, seamless rings, cartilage earrings
Why do people like helix piercings?
Double helix is a very popular type of ear piercing because it allows you to show off two pieces of body jewelry, with one very close to the other. You can include two of the same style of double helix earrings or different ones, depending on the image you’re going for. (A triple helix piercing is simply the same type of piercing three times.) There are various types of jewelry that work well with this type of piercing, which means there’s more variety for you to choose from. This can be a fun and eye-catching way to show off your personal style when it comes to body jewelry. This type of piercing can look great on its own, or paired with other ear piercings.
Helix Piercing Styles:
As you consider whether a double helix piercing is right for you, here’s an overview of some different helix piercings types.
Cartilage Double Helix Piercing – This is another name for the double helix piercing described above.
Double Cartilage Piercing – Another term that could be used to describe a double helix piercing. If you are specifically looking for a double helix piercing, make sure you specify that when discussing it with your piercing professional.
Double Forward Helix Piercing – This is a type of forward piercing where it’s done twice adjacent to each other.
Double Helix Piercing Jewelry:
There are a variety of types of jewelry that you can wear with a double helix piercing. Double helix earrings range come in a wide variety so you can accentuate your style. Some of the options include double helix piercing hoops, double helix piercing studs, and double helix piercing rings. Proper jewelry care is important. Always be sure to wash your jewelry with soap and warm water.
Double Helix Piercing Commonly Asked Questions
Can everyone get a double helix piercing?
To find out whether you’re a good candidate for this type of body piercing, we recommend speaking with a piercing professional. They can look at the size and shape of your ear and let you know about any potential concerns before you decide whether or not to get pierced. Also, it’s important to know that the cartilage is a sensitive area of the body, and any cartilage piercing will require you to take care of it diligently while it’s healing.
Making sure you understand what to expect and learning how to care for your piercing in advance is an important part of making this choice. Deciding whether to get your cartilage pierced, or whether you might prefer to pierce another part of your body such as the belly button, is a very personal decision.
Can I get double helix piercings at the same time?
You can get both parts of a double helix piercing at the same time. This is widely recommended so that the placement can be aligned and they can both heal simultaneously. If you currently have a regular helix piercing and later want to get a double or triple, you can consult a piercer about having that additional one or two added.
How much does a double helix piercing cost?
How much a double helix ear piercing costs varies depending on where you’re located and the piercer. To find the best person for your piercing, do research so locate a reputable piercer who will follow all appropriate procedures and can advise you about the cost. One thing that may be important to your budget is that in most cases, double helix piercings cost more than helix piercings, since there’s more work involved, though whether or not the cost is double will depend on the specific piercer.
Should I get a helix, double helix, or triple helix piercing?
Each of these types of piercings has their own advantages, and each is also available in the forward helix style, known as forward helix, double forward helix and triple forward helix. If you’re interested but don’t know which one to get, you can look on social media at how other people are wearing these styles. If you’re simply looking to get a stylish ear piercing, you may want to explore other options, such as a tragus piercing or other ear piercings. There’s no one style of cartilage piercing that’s right for everyone, and healing times will vary depending on how many piercings you’re getting at once. If you like to wear a lot of body jewelry, a double or triple helix may be up your alley; if you’re more of a minimalist, a single helix piercing may suit you better.
Double Helix Piercing Aftercare
Does a double helix piercing hurt?
There are many factors involved in how much double helix piercing pain you may experience, so there’s no definitive way to say whether this type of piercing will hurt for you or not. However, since this piercing is on your cartilage, and it involves two piercings at once, you can likely expect to experience some amount of pain. While there’s no standard that applies to everyone on whether helix piercings hurt, it’s best to be prepared and know your own pain tolerance. Speak to a professional piercer ahead of time to get a sense of whether you will experience piercing pain and how to prepare for the process. Know that you may also experience some degree of pain afterward. It’s important to take care of your piercing properly to make sure it doesn’t get infected or cause further pain; see below for more detail.
How do I clean my double helix piercing?
Always follow the aftercare instructions given to you by your piercer. This is a vital part of protecting your piercing and preventing your ear from getting infected. Once your piercing has fully healed, we recommend using H2Ocean aftercare spray or saline solution to keep your piercing clean. You’ll likely want to have cotton swabs handy to help you with healing and aftercare. To ensure that your double helix piercing stays clean, in addition to following the cleaning instructions, do your best not to agitate it with your hands or by letting anything brush up against it that could jostle it.
How long does a double helix piercing take to heal?
Because you’re getting two piercings close together on your ear cartilage, a double helix piercing usually takes up to six months to heal, though the exact amount of time will depend upon the specifics of your body. Be prepared for the possibility that your specific healing process will take longer. There’s no way to know for sure in advance exactly how long the piercing healing process requires for any individual. It’s important to make sure you care for your piercing during that time and don’t do anything to irritate it, which could cause pain or infection. After it’s fully healed, you’re welcome to change your jewelry as often as you’d like. It’s good to keep saline solution or aftercare product handy even after your piercing has healed, so you can get relief by soaking it if you do encounter infection or irritation.
Can I get a double helix piercing if I have long hair?
Yes, you can get this ear piercing no matter the length of your hair, but you’ll want to take care to make sure your hair doesn’t get tangled in your piercing, especially soon after you get it and while it’s healing. You may want to keep your hair up in a ponytail or bun while your double helix piercing is healing to make it easier for you to keep it out of the way. This will help you to avoid touching your piercing too much by accident.
Can I wear headpohones with a double helix piercing?
Because of the location of this body piercing along the cartilage, some people may find it uncomfortable to wear headphones over their ears while their double helix piercing is going through the healing process, and possibly afterward. Talk to your piercing professional about your concerns and be prepared to adjust the type of headphones you use while your piercing is sensitive.
How do I do a double helix piercing at home?
Doing a home piercing is not advised, due to the delicate nature of the ear cartilage and the expertise required to make sure the piercing is placed exactly where it should be. You’ll want to have a professional piercer perform your double helix piercing, one who has the proper training and credentials, and can give you detailed information about the process. This piercing procedure should be done with the appropriate type of piercing needle, and not piercing guns, which are generally used for the earlobes. They’ll be able to walk you through every step of the piercing experience and, because they’ve worked on so many different people. We recommend researching reputable, highly rated piercing studios in your area, asking friends, or simply calling them and getting more information about how they operate.
Do double helix piercings last forever?
A good general rule to follow regarding body piercings, including the double helix, is that if you leave your body jewelry out for a long period of time, it can close up. To prevent this from happening and make your double helix piercing lasts, keep your jewelry in and consulting a piercing professional if you’re interested in removing it for an extended period but don’t want it to close up.
When can I change my double helix piercing jewelry?
Make sure your piercing has fully healed before changing your jewelry in order to prevent infection. If you’re unsure whether your piercing has healed completely or not, consult a piercing professional who can instruct you. Once it has fully healed, you can change your double helix earrings.
What are the types of jewelry for double helix pierings?
Captive bead rings, seamless rings, stud cartilage earrings and other cartilage jewelry are recommended for double helix piercings. These come in many shapes, styles, colors and materials and can be changed once your piercing has fully healed. For forward helix piercings or double forward helix piercings, the types of jewelry most commonly used are stud cartilage earrings or rings.
Can you sleep with a double helix piercing in?
You can sleep with this type of body piercing safely as long as you take some basic steps. Make sure you’ve properly cleaned your piercing before you go to bed. To be as comfortable as possible, you’ll likely want to rest your head on the opposite side of your double helix jewelry to reduce your pain level and ensure that it heals smoothly. Generally, anything that presses against the double helix piercing can irritate it, so if you’re used to tossing and turning from side to side at night, you may want to adjust your sleeping habits accordingly until it’s fully healed. Especially when you’re tired, you may be more careless because you’re not thinking about the piercing site and how tender it can be. If you can establish a sleep routine that doesn’t interfere with the healing, it will help your body get used to the piercing.
More Piercing Information
Searching for more piercing information? Check out our in-depth nose piercing, septum piercing, tongue piercing, daith piercing, tragus piercing, and helix ear piercing guides.
Now that you have the key information about what a double helix piercing is, the process of getting your cartilage pierced, and the healing process, you can decide whether this is the right type of piercing for you. If you have further specific questions about this type of piercing, ask a piercing professional so you can be totally prepared. If you’re looking for double helix jewelry or have any other body piercings, check out Spencer’s for our large selection of affordable and varied body jewelry
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