Piercings
Helix Piercing
Helix, forward helix and stacked helixes — pain, healing, jewelry, and aftercare, from the piercers at Apollo in Santa Monica.
Book a piercingPlacement
Upper outer cartilage rim
Pain level
4–5 / 10
Healing
3–9 months
Jewelry
Flat-back stud or hoop
Min. age
13+
The basics
What is a helix piercing?
The helix is the curved outer rim of your upper ear — the most popular cartilage piercing and the backbone of most curated ear projects. Variations include the forward helix (toward the front of the ear, nearer the face) and stacked double or triple helix piercings placed in a row.
How it feels
Does a helix piercing hurt?
The helix is one of the gentler cartilage piercings — most clients rate it 4–5 out of 10, a quick pinch and pressure. It's done with a single-use sterile needle for a clean, well-angled pass.
Healing
How long does it take to heal?
Simple helix piercings generally heal in 3–6 months, though cartilage often takes 6–9 months to fully settle. Stacked helixes and forward helixes can run a little longer. A downsize at around month three keeps the jewelry from snagging as swelling drops.
Jewelry
Jewelry for a helix piercing
A flat-back implant-grade titanium stud is the most comfortable starter — it won't catch on hair or pillows while you heal. Once settled, a seamless or clicker hoop is the classic upgrade. Solid gold ends are available, and we can plan a multi-piece helix layout in one consultation.
Aftercare
Aftercare
Sterile saline twice a day, keep hair products and earbuds off it, don't sleep on that side, and leave the jewelry alone. Full routine on our piercing aftercare guide.
Our standards
Why get pierced at Apollo
Every piercing at our Santa Monica studio is done with a single-use sterile needle — never a piercing gun, which can't be sterilized and crushes cartilage. We install only implant-grade titanium (ASTM F-136), solid 14k/18k gold, or niobium, placed and checked by a Fakir-certified senior piercer. Your fresh jewelry is sized long for swelling, and a downsize follow-up is built into every piercing so it settles cleanly.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does a helix piercing hurt?
Most people rate a helix 4–5 out of 10 — one of the more comfortable cartilage piercings. It's a brief pinch and pressure that passes quickly.
How long does a helix piercing take to heal?
About 3–6 months for a simple helix, and up to 6–9 months to fully settle. Forward helix and stacked helixes can take a little longer.
Can I get a hoop in a fresh helix?
We recommend starting with a flat-back stud so it doesn't catch while healing, then switching to a hoop once it's settled at the downsize visit.
Can I get two or three helix piercings at once?
Often yes — we'll assess your ear and immune load. For multiple cartilage piercings we usually stage them so each one gets a clean healing start.
Studio portfolio
Helix Piercings at Apollo
Real work from our piercing chairs — implant-grade titanium and gold, placed freehand by our Fakir-certified piercers.
