September 23, 2024

Mid Helix Piercing: Pain, Healing Time, Cost, Jewelry, Sizes, and Aftercare

Mid Helix piercings are a great way to express yourself if you are looking for something beyond the standard earlobe piercing. You may have plenty of questions about this body modification, especially if you are new to cartilage piercings.

Let this guide help answer some of the questions you may have about the before, during, and after of getting one.

What Is a Mid Helix Piercing?

When you hear people talking about Helix piercings, they are referring to a cartilage piercing on the upper part of your ear. A Mid Helix piercing hole sits farther down the outer edge, approximately in the middle of the cartilage.

Mid Helix Piercing: Pain, Healing Time, Cost, Jewelry, Sizes, and Aftercare

Variants: Double Mid Helix Piercing

A double Helix piercing uses two adjacent piercing holes in the Mid Helix region. The holes sit one on top of the other, making a stack.

Variants: Triple Mid Helix Piercing

You can add another hole and make your stack a triple, providing a stand-out display for rings or studs.

Helix vs Mid Helix Piercing

A Helix piercing is done in the upper half of your ear. It can be a single piercing or multiple. It can also be positioned in various areas of your upper ear based on your preferences. Helix piercings may use hoops, studs, or other variations of jewelry.

Mid Helix Piercing Pain Scale

Does Mid Helix piercing hurt? Many people rate the pain at 4 or 5 on a scale of 1 through 10.

While Helix piercings are through cartilage, the material on the outer edge of your ear is thinner. That makes Mid Helix piercings one of the least painful cartilage piercings you can get.

Mid-Helix Piercing Healing Time

How long does a Mid Helix piercing take to heal? A Mid Helix piercing will take between six and nine months to heal.

Another advantage of thinner cartilage in this part of the ear is healing time. Thinner material means it takes less time to fill the hole and regenerate cartilage, skin, and tissue.

Mid Helix Piercing Cost

How much is a Mid Helix piercing? You can expect to pay between $30 and $100, depending on several factors. The jewelry you get can increase cost, as can the location of the shop you use.

You will pay extra for an experienced piercing technician too. Cleanliness, single-use needles, and studio guidelines can also alter the final cost.

Mid Helix Piercing Jewelry: Types

Common types of mid helix piercing jewelry include studs, straight bars, curved barbells, and hoops.

1. Studs

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You will likely start with a stud in your Mid Helix piercing. The advantage here is they are better for healing than jewelry like hoops.

There is less pressure placed on the edges of the hole and it allows tissue to fill in the space between the stud and your ear. The downside is that piercing studs are often plain in appearance.

2. Mid Helix Piercing Hoop

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Hoops are an interesting choice for the Mid Helix placement. Avoid them while healing, as they place undue pressure on the piercing hole walls and can cause more agitation from things like snags.

They can create visually stunning pieces, especially if you have a double or triple stack. It is likely the least used type in a Mid Helix location.

3. Straight Bars (Barbells)

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Many people switch out to bars when they remove their piercing studs. You will find a large selection of lengths and gem sizes with bar jewelry. You can select shorter bars for a tighter fit too. Some feel that bars are commonplace, though, and look for more unique expressions.

4. Curved Barbells (Banana Barbells)

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Curved barbells are a popular choice for replacing piercing studs as well. They are a bit less common than straight bars, but that can mean less variety for gems and other decorative effects.

Many customers also prefer curved barbells as they feel the curve is more gentle on the piercing hole and it doesn't dig into the back of the ear like a straight bar can.

Mid Helix Piercing Jewelry: Sizes

1. Gauge

Many ear cartilage piercings use 16 gauge (1.2mm) jewelry, with some using a thicker 14 gauge (1.6mm) wire. Smaller diameter pieces in the 18-gauge (1.0mm) to 20-gauge (0.8mm) range are rare, as the thicker diameter is often needed for cartilage piercings.

2. Length

Studs for Helix piercing, including the Mid Helix piercing, should measure 5/16"(8mm) to 3/8" (10mm) in length. You can reduce the length to 1/4"(6mm) to 5/16"(8mm) once your ear has healed.

The variance in length noted here is due to the difference in cartilage thickness between individuals. You want to start with longer studs to avoid agitation during healing. Once healed, dropping the length will allow you to avoid snags and your jewelry will display better.

3. Diameter

Smaller is the choice for those wearing hoops in their Mid Helix piercing holes. That puts most hoops in the 6-millimeter (1/4") to 10-millimeter (3/8") range, with variance accommodating cartilage thickness.

You can use the smaller hoops for a hugging effect or get something slightly larger for a bit of dangling from the hole.

Safe Metals for Mid Helix Piercing Jewelry

1. Implant-Grade Titanium

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Implant-grade titanium Mid 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 and 18-Karat Gold

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14-karat and 18-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

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, it does contain 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.

Risks

1. Mid Helix Piercing Infection

A piercing hole is an open wound that takes weeks to heal, making it vulnerable to bacteria. Cartilage piercings like Mid Helix piercings take longer than lobe piercings to heal, so it stands to reason they will be open to more infections.

Symptoms can include redness, swelling, pain, and discharge. Warm compresses and saline washes can help open it. Using antibiotics can help eliminate the infection.

2. Piercing Rejection

Sometimes the metal used in jewelry or your genetics can cause your body to reject a piercing. If the piercing hole increases in size, the skin begins to flake or peel, or the piercing area becomes calloused, your body may be rejecting the mid-helix piercing.

Treatments can include changing the jewelry material, opting for smaller sizes, or taking the jewelry out.

When Can I Change My Mid Helix Piercing?

Most piercing technicians and health care providers suggest waiting until your piercing is fully healed before changing jewelry. Those who want to change out jewelry sooner than the six to nine-month window should wait at least a month or two.

Remember, if you swap out jewelry before the piercing hole heals, you run the risk of damaging it.

How to Clean Mid Helix Piercing?

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.

Using mild, fragrance-free soap and water to clean your piercing site is also an option.

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.

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.

Then proceed with the following steps to clean your piercing:

Soak a cotton ball, a paper towel or non-plush cloth with the solution. Avoid fabrics that could snag and pull the jewelry or leave fibers behind. Gently saturate the piercing and cleanse it. Don't remove the jewelry!
If you have a sterile saline wound wash that you buy from stores, then spay it while healing.
Ensure you cleanse the piercing of any discharge or crusty material.
Take clean gauze or cotton swabs and pat the area dry.

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

Mid Helix Piercing Care

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.

You should ensure you get pierced by someone experienced and reliable who utilizes the right cleaning and sterilization procedures. You’ll also need to choose high-quality jewelry that you aren’t allergic to. After you get your piercing, be sure to follow all instructions from your piercer.