Floating Helix Piercing: The Complete Guide

A floating helix ear piercing is an excellent option for those looking for a unique way to accessorize their ears. Find out more about how this style creates a captivating visual effect and whether it is a good option for your next body piercing.

What Is a Floating Helix Piercing?

A floating helix ear piercing creates the illusion of a suspended earring. It sits at the upper cartilage of your ear above the helix rim. To create the illusion behind a floating helix, you must stick with certain jewelry styles.

Vertical Helix vs. Floating Helix

The primary difference between a vertical and a floating helix is how you wear the jewelry and the placement of the piercing site. With a vertical helix, the piercing goes through the top of your cartilage at the tallest point, and both ends of the jewelry are visible.

With a floating helix, the piercing lies in the flattened area just under the helix rim. The jewelry used for a floating helix is designed to move with you, and the top lies concealed under the fold of your cartilage.

How Does a Floating Helix Work?

This look is achieved by using a labret stud. The jewelry then connects to a hoop or chain that hangs downwards from the piercing. By piercing the upper helix at the top of the ear and tucking the jewelry underneath the cartilage fold, the jewelry gives the illusion that it's simply floating in place.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Barbarella Bodypiercing GBG (@barbarellapiercing)

What's Special About It?

Floating helix piercings are captivating and can look elegant or edgy, depending on your jewelry. The chandelier-style earrings designed for this piercing create an illusion that the jewelry is magically floating in place since the actual piercing lies under the cartilage fold.

How Much Is a Floating Helix Piercing?

You can expect to pay around $30 for your service fee plus the cost of your jewelry. Floating helix jewelry starts around $20 but can cost much more depending on what you choose.

Floating Helix Healing Time

Floating helix piercings usually take four to six months to heal, depending on whether you adhere to proper aftercare practices and follow guidance from your piercer.

Floating Helix Piercing Pain

Although a floating helix may seem painful, it actually ranks lower on the pain scale. Most people rank their pain as a level 3 out of 10.

Floating Helix Jewelry Type

Floating Helix Stud

Floating helix earring chandelier-style with clear CZ and chains titanium $24.9, SHOP NOW.

A floating helix stud is the ideal jewelry option. It usually features a slightly curved bar on the end that sits snugly against the piercing site and is meant to be hidden under the cartilage flap at the top of your ear so all you can see are the dangling chains of the jewelry. 

Chandelier-style studs are especially captivating.

While other piercings offer a variety of jewelry options, you must stick with certain jewelry styles to create the illusion behind a floating helix. Placing different types of jewelry into the hole will simply turn it into a regular helix piercing.

Most piercers do not recommend wearing the dangling jewelry customized for this look until it heals completely.

Traditional Studs

Heart piercing stud in gold and silver titanium ear stud 16G $21.9, SHOP NOW.

Your initial jewelry should be a traditional stud with a longer post to accommodate swelling. After two to four weeks, or when your piercer says it's okay, you can switch to jewelry featuring chains or dangles.

Floating Helix Jewelry Size

Gauge 

Floating helix jewelry is usually available in 14G(1.6mm) to 16G(1.2mm).

Length

Your initial post will be longer to accommodate the swelling that occurs during the first week. However, after the swelling subsides, you'll find that most floating helix jewelry usually features a post length of around 6 mm or slightly longer.

Hypoallergenic Metals for Floating Helix Jewelry

The best materials to select for your floating helix jewelry are implant-grade titanium, 14-karat gold, surgical stainless steel, and niobium.

1. Implant-Grade Titanium: About $20-$40

Helix stud earrings with chains implant-grade titanium 16 gauge $18.9, SHOP NOW.

Implant-grade titanium floating helix jewelry is strongly recommended. It is lightweight, nickel-free, and won’t tarnish. It’s often recommended for those who are allergic to brass, nickel, and other metals common for jewelry.

2. 14-Karat Gold: About $40-$200 

14K solid gold floating helix piercing stud with CZ and chains $138.9, SHOP NOW.

14-karat gold ear piercing jewelry can offer an elevated look. However, they may be more pricey and could tarnish over time. Also consider if you have allergies, such as an allergy to gold.

3. Surgical-Grade Stainless Steel: About $5-$30

If you opt for stainless steel, you should opt for surgical-grade steel. It often contributes to a smooth healing process and is extremely durable. However, even surgical-grade steel contains small amounts of nickel that could cause allergic reactions in those with skin sensitivities.

Talk through all material options with your piercer to figure out what’s best for you and your skin.

4. Niobium: About $20-$60

Niobium is a light grey metal known for its hardness that is like titanium. The metal resists corrosion and tarnishing like others on the list, creating minimal maintenance for you.

It might be the best metal for a piercing if you want titanium-like durability with more malleability. That extra pliability makes it easier for jewelers to shape pieces. Niobium can come in various colors as it is something that you can anodize.

The only real downsides are that it weighs a bit more than titanium and you will likely pay a bit more due to the process involved in manufacturing this metal.

The Pros and Cons of Getting a Floating Helix Piercing

Floating helix ear piercings create a beautifully ethereal aesthetic and look great when paired with the right type of jewelry. However, it's important to weigh the pros and cons of this unique body piercing option before deciding whether or not to get one.

Pros

• Floating helix piercings are a fun way to stay current with piercing trends without committing to something more prominent.
• These piercings are uniquely stylish and can create a very feminine aesthetic.
• They are versatile and can be dressed up or down with the right type of jewelry.
• Floating helix piercing jewelry is comfortable since it doesn't place pressure on your earlobe.

Cons

• You must use jewelry designed for floating helix ear piercings, or it doesn't create the same illusory effect.
• Like any piercing, improper care can lead to infection, especially during healing.
• Helix piercings are more likely to get snagged, and the jewelry worn with floating helix piercings increases this risk.
• If you use glasses, floating helix piercings may be challenging to wear, as your frames can irritate the piercing site.
• Floating helix piercings may scar or eventually reject, making it difficult to re-pierce the same area again if it occurs.

Aftercare

You will need to take extra care to clean and sterilize your new piercing every day. Skimping on the cleaning can lead to an ear infection, and scarring, and could even make it impossible to ever get your daith pierced again.

The best advice is to follow your piercing artist’s care instructions.

• Avoid sleeping on the ear you had pierced.
• Take care to avoid contaminating the piercing.
• Avoid touching it or applying makeup very close to it.
• Avoid getting in the water that might be dirty.
• Clean your piercing twice per day using a saline solution made for wound cleaning or soap and water to prevent infection.
• Avoid ointments as they prevent necessary air circulation.
• And of course, make sure to avoid snagging on clothes or towels.
• Wear loose clothing. Avoid wearing tight clothing or clothing that may rub against the piercing, as this can cause irritation and slow down the healing process.
• Use hypoallergenic jewelry like implant-grade titanium and 14- or 18-karat gold. Surgical-grade steel may contain small amounts of nickel that could cause allergic reactions
• Don't move the piercing unless you're cleaning it. Pulling on a piercing early in healing is painful, but it also can get in the way of healing or damage the piercing itself.
• Wait until your piercing heals before changing out your jewelry.
• Watch for potential signs of infection and consult your piercer or doctor if it becomes infected.  

How to Clean a Floating Helix Piercing?

1. It is recommended to use sterile saline that you buy from the store, rather than homemade saline, for cleaning your piercings. Homemade saline may be too salty for delicate piercing sites, leading to dryness and delayed healing. 
2. Using mild, fragrance-free soap and water to clean your piercing site is also an option.
3. If you prefer homemade salt solution. You can start by mixing 1/2 teaspoon of non-iodized salt with one cup of distilled or boiled (for at least 20 minutes) water. You may choose to use less of the salt mixture like 1/4 to 1/8 teaspoon if you want a weaker solution that’s less likely to burn or sting. Stir the solution until it dissolves.
4. If you see signs of infection, you can also use antiseptic solutions, such as betadine, isopropyl alcohol, or diluted hydrogen peroxide. However, avoid using them for daily cleaning as they can damage cells.
5. Soak a cotton ball in the solution and dab it around the piercing site. Don't remove the jewelry!
6. Take clean gauze or tissue and pat the area dry.

Your piercer should give you detailed instructions on how to keep your piercing clean once it has been placed.

To Conclude

Before deciding to get a floating helix ear piercing, it's important to consult your piercer to determine whether it is the right style for you. Make sure you follow all of your piercer's aftercare instructions to avoid complications and ensure your floating helix properly heals.