Cartilage piercings are gaining momentum in the western culture. Both women and men are lately obsessed with these kinds of piercings. If you want one, or are dealing with its infection, this ThoughtfulTattoos extract will guide you with care instructions and things that you should consider before getting a double helix piercing done.
Think Before You Act
There’s a popular saying that goes as Every ear is a snowflake. Don’t wildly follow the trend or go for a cartilage piercing just ’cause your friends have done it. Consider your ear shape and what would look best for you.
The helix comes in the cartilage part of the upper ear. Adorning the helix with a piece of jewelry is called helix piercing.
- Helix piercing is a conventional matter in tribal cultures like the African Maasai tribe. Both men and women do it as a tradition. Helix (cartilage) piercing gained popularity in western culture since the punk movement in the late ’70s.
- Currently, a lot of modifications have been incorporated to this type of ear piercing. There’s this double helix piercing, triple helix piercing, and forward helix piercings with options for double and triple forwards.
- Cartilage piercings are said to take a longer time to heal comapred to earlobe piercings, and so they need special care to look their best.
Let’s get into the detailing of double helix piercing.
What is a Double Helix Piercing?
A double helix piercing is getting two perforations together on the cartilage. It isn’t an easy piercing that will heal soon. Shoving sharp things and that too twice in the same area will obviously hurt. But as they say, nothing beautiful comes without pain. The minimum healing time for a cartilage piercing is 4 – 6 months, but experts say that it can drag up to a year.
What is a Double Forward Helix Piercing?
Forward means the most forward part (or you can say “the beginning”) of the helix. It has another name―Helix trunk. These piercings are adventurous and notorious. A forward helix piercing causes a lot of pain, as going through the cartilage is actually challenging, and the area is very sensitive. Besides, it is highly susceptible to infections later on. It is advisable to go to a reputed piercing parlor, and follow all care instructions sincerely. We suggest you to go with stud earrings as a beginner. You can change the jewelry once the healing process is done. Triple forward helix is the latest trend, if you’re looking for getting some ear piercings done.
Things to Consider
- The piercing parlor should be licensed and have an experience of doing body piercings.
- Let your piercer know if you have any allergies, are dealing with any health issues, and are on medication.
- Ask them for samples and consider their suggestions, because many a time you think of getting a piercing done for the craze of doing it. But it’s important to understand that not every piercing will go on every ear.
- Cartilage piercings should never be done with guns, as a gun is not sterilized. Moreover, the shot made with a gun is not as specific as that with a needle. Do keep a check on their piercing equipment. The needles should be sterilized, and the gloves and other supplies used should be clean.
- The piercer will make a mark on the area where you wanna get pierced. Check if it’s the position that you desired.
Pain Level
There are many questions and doubts that linger on our mind, when we go for piercings or tattooing, basically body modifications. But the most common and obvious one is the pain level. Helix piercing is not that painful, but getting a double piercing in the same area can be awful. A forward helix is terrible because the forward area is very tender and sensitive to bear needles or shots.
Piercing Cost
Piercing costs usually include piercing done along with the basic body jewelry. An upgrade to jewelry will charge you extra. We researched a lot about its price, but it can cost anything in the range of $30 – $80, depending on the salon that you opt for, and the rates of your city.
Our say: Don’t scant on price over your health. So opt for the one that gives better quality service, uses high quality equipment, and has a good experience of doing piercings.
Jewelry to be Used
Well, captive bead rings (CBRs) should be preferred over bars. Rings are very popular when we talk of double helix, but they may charge extra for rings. Titanium or surgical steel studs can be used as titanium is least reactive. Other than these, curved barbells, labret studs, and those trendy eyebrow bars can also be worn. These days, you have a hell lot of options, but experiment only when the piercing is out of infection.
Aftercare and Infection Treatment
So you are done with the double helix piercing. It’s time to take good care so that your ear doesn’t get infected. Mild white passage (pus) is normal after piercing, but if it starts oozing yellow discharge, or if you start getting red bumps, it means that your piercing has been infected. Go through these aftercare instructions.
- Soak a cotton ball in sea salt and apply twice a day on the piercing to treat the infection.
- Dip cotton in a non-iodized salt and water solution, and apply on the infected area for about 5 minutes. This can be done 3 – 4 times a day.
- Infuse a lot of vitamin C providers, like citrus fruits and zinc supplements in your diet.
- Wash your ears with antiseptic solution only after your hands have been cleaned with a disinfectant soap solution, keeping in mind the hygiene.
- You also get an aftercare solution for piercings in parlors and stores, which is the best helper.
DO…
- Visit a doctor if the infection gets severe.
- Soak the jewelry in disinfectant solution if you plan to change it. (This can be done only after the healing process.)
- Keep your hair clean.
DON’T…
- Touch the pierced area frequently, as fingers may clog dirt and bacteria, creating an infection.
- Use any cream on the piercing. Creams attract bacteria, causing infection in your skin.
- Change your jewelry until your piercing has healed completely. Changing your jewelry will add up to your pain, and delay the healing process.
- Go for swimming until the area heals completely. Chlorine and other water compounds can create problems
- Sleep on the side you have got pierced, as it may hurt and redden the area.
- Get both your ears pierced together, as you may face problems while sleeping.
Cartilage piercings have been trending for a while now. Double helix and triple forward helix are becoming fashion statements. Remember: The more you care, the earlier it will heal; the better you’ll look.
