About the helix piercing
The helix is the curved outer rim of the upper ear, and it's one of the most requested cartilage piercings we do. Single, double and triple helix all work, as long as the spacing fits your ear.
Cartilage heals slower than lobes and doesn't forgive pressure or snagging. That's why we pierce with a needle, never a gun, and start you in a flat-back stud sized to allow for swelling.
Placement options
What to expect at your appointment
Your piercer checks how thick your cartilage is and how your ear is shaped, marks the placement, and confirms it with you in the mirror before anything happens. If you want a hoop, we'll start you in a stud and switch once it's healed. Hoops move too much on a fresh cartilage piercing.
Every appointment includes a free consultation, and every piercing is done with a sterile, single-use needle. We never use piercing guns, and every tool is autoclave-sterilized and individually pouched.
Healing & aftercare
Clean with sterile saline and don't sleep on it. A travel pillow with your ear in the hole helps. Keep hair products, hats and headphones off it while it heals. Bumps usually come from pressure or movement, and we can usually tell you which.
Full step-by-step instructions are in our piercing aftercare guide. If anything looks off while it's healing, call or text us. Checkups are free.
Helix piercing FAQ
How much is a helix piercing?
$40 for one helix or ear cartilage piercing, or $60 for a pair, including implant-grade starter jewelry.
Can I get a hoop in a new helix piercing?
We start helix piercings with a flat-back stud because hoops move and rub on fresh cartilage, which slows healing. Once you're healed we can fit you for a hoop.
How long does a helix take to heal?
Typically 6–12 months for a helix or flat, and 6–9 months for a forward helix. It may feel fine sooner, but cartilage keeps healing on the inside after it looks done.
Can I do a double or triple helix in one visit?
Usually, yes. We can do up to four piercings in a session for most clients, and your piercer will tell you what your ear and healing can handle.
Ready for your helix piercing?
Book online in about a minute, or just walk in. We're in Mission Square on Shannon Pkwy, open 7 days.