The double helix piercing is a bit of a deceiving, and yet very telling, name to give to a piercing. While it describes exactly what it is, two piercings in the helix of the ear, it also implies this is a single piercing. It isn’t. The double helix is two separate piercings that are placed close together on the helix. Because of this, what you expect from a single helix is what you can expect from a double. Despite this, any piercing process can still be daunting, and in the hopes to provide as much information as possible so you can make an informed decision, I am here to consolidate as much information as possible from around the web into this one article! Hopefully, any questions you could possibly have about the double helix will be answered here!
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What is a Double Helix Piercing?
As I said above, a double helix is exactly what it sounds like, two piercings in the helix of the ear. The helix is the top “cuff” of the ear. This cuff is entirely made out of cartilage and is one of the more common places to be pierced other than a standard lobe piercing.
Double helix piercings are often placed closer together along the helix, which is what makes them appear almost more like one piercing, however, this isn’t the case. These are two separate piercings that you will most likely get at different times, simply placed closer together for a more cohesive final look.
What should I expect in the Procedure?
Before you even begin the procedure, take a quick look around the piercing studio. Make sure that the environment is clean and that you trust your piercer. The shop where you are getting your piercing should smell like sterilizer and the station where your piercer works should be organized and clutter-free. Piercings, and any sort of body modification, can be dangerous if not done properly; it is vital to make sure that you are comfortable in the shop you’ve chosen. Don’t be afraid to ask your piercer any questions you feel necessary before the procedure starts.
The procedure for a double piercing isn’t that different than any other piercing appointment. Your piercer will sterilize your ear and mark the spot that you have described for where you want your piercing to sit with a sterile marker. Make sure to take a good look at the marks on your ear; if they aren’t in the place you want them to be, now is the time to ask for them to be moved! If you’re happy with the placement, it’s time to move on to the piercing itself.
Using some piercing tongs, your piercer will grasp your ear in the pre-marked spot, and using a sterile hollow needle, pierce the skin. They will then thread the shaft of the jewelry into your piercing before removing the needle and adding the backing. This is ultimately a fairly quick process and will be over in a matter of seconds.
Since a double helix is actually 2 piercings together, you will need to talk to your piercer about whether they suggest only getting one piercing and letting it heal, or just doing both at the same time. The reason why some piercers might not feel comfortable doing both piercings at the same time is due to swelling in the piercing site. Naturally, after any wound, your body will swell around the wound site to help protect the damaged area and promote healing. Piercings are just purposeful wounds, and will thus react like any other wound would as well. A natural part of the healing process is swelling in the piercing site. If two piercings were done close together, this would lead to more swelling because the damage to that area of the body is doubled. That much trauma in one area could be more than your piercer expected and could lead to issues in the healing process and complexities down the road. I would suggest, regardless of what your piercer allows you to do, that if this is your first cartilage piercing, only get one to start. Since this is a new piercing for you, you don’t know how your body will react. Once you’ve had some experience, you know what to expect from your body.
Similarly, though a common double helix piercing is a hoop, know that walking out of your appointment, you will not have a hoop. Because of the swelling, if you are wearing a hoop, your skin will be forced to curve long the hoop and could lead to increased scarring in the area of the piercing. It isn’t safe to heal with a hoop, so a stud will have to be used until your piercing is sufficiently healed that swelling isn’t as much of a risk.
It is also important that you go to a professional piercer for this piercing and not someone who uses a piercing gun. Piercing guns cannot be properly sterilized and use blunt force to drive the piercing into the skin. This blunt force can break or shatter your cartilage and makes the healing process longer and more painful overall, potentially leading to your inability to have your cartilage pierced at all.
How Much Does Double Helix Piercing Cost?
Different piercing shops have different prices depending on the experience level of their piercers, how popular the shops are, and where the shops are located. Double helix piercings, since they are two piercings, will cost double what another single cartilage piercing would since you are getting two separate piercings. As always, it is important to remember that you get what you pay for when it comes to piercings. Some cheaper piercing shops can be fantastic, but use your best discretion for what is and isn’t the right store for you. Regardless of where you choose to get your piercing, you can expect to pay:
- Between $50-$80 in the United States
- Between £30- £50 In the United Kingdom
- Between €40- €70 In Europe
Are there any risks with double helix piercings?
There is always a risk associated with piercings, that simply comes with the body modification territory. However, because cartilage is a delicate tissue, you can expect that it will have a higher risk of infection and damage from being pierced. About 30% of cartilage piercings become infected. This can be scary, but with continued proper treatment, this infection can go away. If you believe you have an infection that could be dangerous, it is better to contact a doctor sooner rather than later. If an infected piercing is left untreated for too long, it can leave permanent damage to the ear, sometimes requiring surgery to fix.
Other than infection, though, there isn’t much risk to these piercings as long as you see a professional piercer. Be careful and follow proper after care instructions, and you shouldn’t have anything to worry about!
What jewelry should I choose?
There are many different types of jewelry that look awesome in a double helix. Just remember that right after the piercing, you will have limited options due to swelling. Because of this, you will most likely only be able to use a stud with an extended bar to account for healing. As for metals, stainless surgical steel is the best option, but for those who have sensitive skin, gold or silver are also very good options.
Once your piercings have healed, experiment! Double helix piercings are quite versatile when it comes to jewelry options, so you will have plenty of options to choose from. I know that one of the more common styles is to wear matching hoops, however, there are plenty of awesome earring styles for you to try, so keep looking until you find the one that is right for you.
I’ve got my piercing, now what?
Congratulations on your new piercing! Now it is time for the most painful part of the process, healing. With a piercing like a double helix, you can expect for it to take between 4 months to upwards of a year to fully heal. The better you are at aftercare for your piercing, the faster it will heal.
Different piercers will have different instructions depending on who you ask. Each piercer has a healing method that works best for them and their clients, so first and foremost, make sure you talk to your piercer about how to properly care for your piercing. However, generally, the procedures to heal cartilage piercings are the same overall.
In order to heal correctly, first make sure to touch your piercing as little as possible. The more you move and play with it, the longer it will take to heal and the more likely infection will become. If you need to touch your piercing, always make sure to wash your hands with a mild soap first to ensure they are very clean.
You should aim to clean your piercing site twice a day. With the piercing left in, use salt water to soak both morning and night to keep the piercing clean. You can either just put your ear directly into the cup of water, or you can use a paper towel. If you aren’t using a cup, ensure you are using a fresh piece of paper towel for each soak, and do not use a regular hand towel. Reusable towels, unfortunately, can harbor bacteria, so it is safest to go the disposable route. Alternatively, you could look into a piercing aftercare spray. These sprays are premade saltwater solutions in an easy to use a spray bottle and can be an effective way to directly apply the water to your ear. If you see a build-up of grime around the piercing, you can use a cotton swab that has been dipped in the salt solution and gently use the tip to clean around the jewelry to try and clear some of the build-ups. Always make sure to use a light hand when doing this and try to not move the jewelry much.
Even with proper care, infections can sometimes be an issue. Keep a close eye on your piercing to see if there is ever excess swelling, pus, or redness. If you are worried about a possible infection, please contact your doctor.
I hope you learned a lot from this guide, and that any questions you had about double helixes were answered! Honestly, from a personal place, I love helix piercings in general, and I think that they make for a great piercing. The double helix is a perfect piercing for those who have few or many piercings. They fit easily into an ear and create a nice and cohesive look overall. Regardless of whether you decide that the double helix is for you or not, I wish you happy and safe piercing adventures!
Double Helix Piercing Images
Double helix piercing continues being among the stylish kinds of piercings out there. While your starter jewelry is a bit limited at times, there are a lot of long-term jewelry options for looking your best with helix piercing jewelry after healing. Some of the admired starter jewelry includes Titanium studs, Captive bead rings, Curved barbells, surgical steel studs, and Labret Studs.
So, no matter what jewelry you prefer, make sure that you use hypoallergenic materials. Besides, this piercing gives you a cute look which makes them favorite among many people. If you are a person who enjoys body modification and piercings then you must go for this piercing.
Hopefully, this ultimate guide regarding Double helix piercing has equipped you with everything you need to know to make the right decision before going for this piercing. If you have some suggestions or doubts then you can ask us through your comments. Thank you!
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