Everything you need to know about double and triple helix piercings
For the past few weeks (or months), you've had your eye on a helix piercing: you dream of wearing jewellery at the top of your ear.
In fact, you'd like not just one piercing, but 2 or 3 at the same time.
But⊠you're not quite sure yet.
Will it hurt? What if my piercing never heals? What if my ear gets infected?
So many questions are running through your mind⊠But let's take a moment!
Before you decide, the Solstice team recommends reading this article, which could prove useful.
Coming up: a little anatomy, valuable information about double helix piercings and plenty of love.
Let's go!
What is the helix?
Let's start with a little anatomy (we promise to keep it brief!).
Just to set the scene and make sure we're talking about the same thing đ
Let's get straight to it!
A little anatomy: where it sits on the ear
The helix is the upper, outer part of the ear. This area of cartilage often forms a rolled, tube-like rim, extending from the top of the lobe towards the base of the skull.
It's a large area where you can wear a wide variety of jewellery: hoops, studs, chainsâŠ
There are several placements:
- Upper helix
- Mid helix
- Lower helix
- Forward helix
Why get a double helix piercing?
The helix is a popular piercing choice because it can be relatively manageable in terms of pain and visually striking.
This cartilage piercing pairs well with other earrings.
It's therefore quite common to have more than one helix piercing.
A double helix piercing is a lovely option if you want more volume and enjoy stacking jewellery.
Perhaps that sounds like you đ
The double anti-helix piercing
Although much less common, the double anti-helix piercing is certainly an option.
As the name suggests, it involves piercing the anti-helix twice.
Unfortunately, not every ear shape is suitable đ Some ears can accommodate 3 piercings, others 0.
Hang on, what is the anti-helix again?
Sorry, we're getting ahead of ourselves =)
Here, anti-helix refers to the cartilage opposite the helix and above the tragus, near the base of the skull.
It's a less common piercing, and your piercer will need to check whether the placement suits your anatomy.
Now that we've set the scene, let's take a closer look at double helix piercings.
What happens during a double helix piercing?
What does a double piercing involve? Does it hurt? How should you prepare?
So many questions running through your head!
And that's completely normal.
Even if a helix piercing isn't your first, stay with us!
You might pick up 2 to 3 useful tips đ
The process, step by step
The process of getting a double ear piercing is relatively straightforward:
- You sit down (or lie down)
- Your piercer cleans your ear, then uses a marker to mark the positions of your new piercings
- They pierce your cartilage with a sterilised needle, insert the jewellery and secure the initial piece
- They clean your new ear piercing
- Then repeat the process for the other piercings!
If everything goes smoothly, you may be ready to leave around ten minutes later with two (or more!) new helix piercings đ
A straightforward sequence of steps!
Does a double helix piercing hurt?
That's the question you keep coming back to, isn't it?
The answer might surprise youâŠ
Pain varies from person to person.
Many people describe a brief pinch during the piercing, followed by some tenderness afterwards.
With a double helix, the second placement may feel different simply because the area is already sensitive.
A professional piercer can explain what to expect and help you feel more at ease.
If you're worried about the pain, here are a few tips to help you prepare đ
How should you prepare for a double ear piercing?
We hate to disappoint you, but there's no magic way to make it painless.
Rubbing a lamp won't summon a genie to grant your wish and give you pain-blocking powers!
However, a few simple steps can help you prepare and manage the discomfort:
- Do not take medication specifically for the piercing beforehand without advice from a healthcare professional; do not stop prescribed medication without medical advice
- Stay hydrated, sleep well and eat beforehand
- Try meditation and/or bring someone close to you to help you feel less stressed
- Visit a qualified professional piercer
- Avoid jewellery shops that use a piercing gun
Getting pierced is a procedure to take seriously, but one that many people find manageable!
And you may find the result well worth it đ
Cartilage aftercare and healing
You've done it! You have two (or more!) lovely new helix piercings. Now it's time to head home, rest and begin your aftercare.
This is where the important work beginsâŠ
To support your double helix as it heals and help reduce the risk of infection, read the next few paragraphs carefully!
How should you care for your helix?
Aftercare for a double helix piercing, or any other cartilage piercing, is relatively straightforward.
The key is sticking to it đ
The aim? Keep the wound clean so your body can heal.
A piercing aftercare routine looks like this:
- First, wash your hands with soap and water, then dry them with a clean towel
- Then gently clean the piercing with saline solution
- Do not twist or rotate the jewellery while cleaning: this can irritate the piercing channel, according to the APP's aftercare recommendations.
- Dry the area gently with a clean towel
- If you have any concerns about the fit, ask your piercer to check the jewellery
Follow the aftercare routine recommended by your professional piercer and keep it consistent.
Continue appropriate aftercare until your double helix has healed (don't worry, we'll explain what to look for next).
Because the helix is particularly prone to knocks and snagging, be careful with your hair and avoid activities that could catch or put pressure on the area while it is healing.
Swimming in pools, lakes and rivers is strongly discouraged while it is healing.
Try to avoid pressure and snagging while you sleep and shower.
Yes, there's a lot to remember, but patience and care matter đ
How long does a double helix piercing take to heal?
This is undoubtedly the question we're asked most often by email.
Healing time varies from person to person, and cartilage piercings can take time to settle fully.
Consistent aftercare supports healing, although it cannot guarantee a faster recovery.
But how can you tell whether your piercing has healed?
Here are a few encouraging signs, although only a professional assessment can confirm whether it is ready for a jewellery change:
- The skin around the piercing looks calmer and closer to its usual colour
- The area feels less tender
- There is no discharge
- The swelling has gone down
If your piercing remains painful, very swollen or starts oozing, seek medical advice promptly.
Recognising a possible infection
Infection is something we all want to avoid.
Possible signs include:
- A red, swollen ear
- Yellowish pus
- An unpleasant smell
- Pain in the ear
- Fever in some cases
But what causes an infection?
In general, inadequate aftercare can increase the risk of infection, although it is not the only possible cause.
Think about recent knocks, unwashed hands or exposure to water when explaining the problem to a professional.
Take care not to confuse an infection in your double helix with simple irritation, for example after a knock or snag.
If you suspect an infection, seek medical advice promptly. The signs of infection described by the NHS can help you recognise symptoms; your piercer can also check the jewellery.
Which jewellery should you choose for a double helix?
Have you fallen for a piece of jewellery and can't wait to replace your helix jewellery?
Not so fast!
Before changing your jewellery, there are a few conditions to meet.
Let's go through them together.
When can you change your piercing jewellery?
Before buying new jewellery for your piercing, your cartilage must be fully healed. Solstice catalogue jewellery is intended for healed piercings.
Only change your jewellery once your piercer confirms that the piercing is fully healed and ready.
If an earlier change is needed for fit or comfort, it should be assessed and carried out by your piercer.
With a double piercing, you should wait until both piercings have healed, especially if they are close together.
But be careful!
Never change your piercing jewellery yourself if you're unsure.
Has your double helix finally healed?
Read on to find out which jewellery to choose đ
Hoops for a double helix piercing: a lovely choice
Hoops, studs, curved barbells, chains⊠There are so many jewellery options for the helix!
The key is choosing what works for youâŠ
For a double helix, we recommend wearing 2 hoops.
A hoop is a staple piece that adds volume to your ear.
You can also experiment with stacking!
For the size, consider a diameter of 6 or 8mm, depending on your preferences and what fits your healed piercing.
P.S. You can also choose studs or a chain running through each piercing. Give your creativity room to play and pair the pieces you love đ
To illustrate the possibilities once your piercings have healed, this video shows a hoop with chains in the helix and how it looks alongside neighbouring jewellery.
Try stacking hoops or studs in your helix and compare the looks in the Solstice Ear Stack Builder.
Build my ear stackTake care with materials and allergies!
If you're prone to allergies or concerned about infection, this section is for you đ Choosing a suitable material matters, but it does not prevent infection on its own.
Choosing a material you tolerate well is important for your ear's health.
The Solstice team suggests considering the following materials, depending on their composition and your sensitivities:
- Gold, a strong and durable material
- Stainless steel, an affordable and very durable option
- Titanium, an option for sensitive ears
Silver may also be an option for a healed piercing if you are not allergic to the material. These materials are not all automatically hypoallergenic.
How much does a double helix piercing cost?
Now you know all about double helix piercings!
Pain, aftercare, healing, jewellery types⊠You've covered plenty of ground =)
Almost everything, in fact.
There's one final question to answer: the price.
As an indicative guide for French piercing studios, a double helix piercing may cost around 40 to 100 euros, depending on the studio and location.
This can include 2 piercing procedures, the initial jewellery and follow-up with your piercer. Check what your chosen studio includes.
For a double anti-helix, the indicative range in French studios may be slightly higher: 50 to 120 euros.
So it's something to budget forâŠ
Â
What about a triple helix piercing?
Thinking of choosing a triple helix piercing?
Let's take a look!
Here's a quick introduction to this distinctive piercing arrangement, covering healing, price and jewellery.
Enjoy!
A triple helix: piercing and healing
As with a double helix, healing varies from person to person, and a triple helix can take time to settle fully.
Yes, it takes patience⊠But you may find the result worth the wait đ
You can support the healing process by following these steps:
- Follow your piercer's aftercare advice and clean the area gently with saline solution
- Be careful to avoid knocks and snagging
- Avoid swimming while it is healing
- Do not touch or play with your triple piercing
These precautions can help, although they cannot guarantee trouble-free healing.
Are you worried about pain during your piercing?
As explained above, pain is very personal. Many people describe a pinch during the piercing, followed by some tenderness afterwards.
If you're nervous about the day itself, here are a few ways to prepare:
- Bring someone close to you
- Breathe deeply and listen to music before your appointment to help you relax
- Get enough sleep and stay hydrated
Preparing well and talking to your piercer can help you feel more confident đ
How much does it cost?
As an indicative guide for French piercing studios, a triple helix piercing may cost around 60 to 120 euros.
This can include the initial jewellery, the piercing procedure, aftercare and follow-up with the piercer. Confirm the details with your studio.
Prices can vary by city and studio.
The triple anti-helix piercing
Here, anti-helix refers to the small area of cartilage just above the tragus and opposite the helix.
As this is a relatively small area, a triple piercing isn't always possible.
Some ears can accommodate 3 piercings, while others cannot be pierced in this area at all.
To find out, ask your piercer to assess your ear.
This video explores a variation on the triple anti-helix: arranging small studs in a constellation, where there is enough space.
Conclusion (and a surprise)
If you've made it this far, THANK YOU!
Writing an article this long takes quite a bit of time and effort.
The Solstice team hopes you've found plenty of useful information đ
If you'd like to learn more about piercings, you can download our complete guide, which brings together the essentials.
Just click here: