The forward helix piercing is done lower down the rim of the outer cartilage of the ear. The hole’s placement is near the root of the helix, the outer rim of the ear. There can be a single or multiple piercings in the region. With the right piece of jewelry decorating it, this piercing can change your look for good.
How Is It Done
The piercing is done with a sterilized needle followed by inserting the preferred jewelry. It is best to get it done by a well-trained professional piercer as the hole is made in a sensitive part of the ear and the process needs accuracy.
Pain Scale: 5/10
This piercing has a fair amount of pain associated with it. If the piercing professional is sufficiently experienced, his skill could make you feel a little less pain. The pain level also depends on your pain tolerance.
Healing Time
The healing time is normally 12 weeks. It can be a bit less or more depending on the individual getting the piercing. You are likely to feel some redness, swelling and pain in the initial days of healing that would go away with proper aftercare practices.
Cleaning
- Clean the piercing area with a clean cotton ball dipped in warm saltwater, twice a day.
- Wipe it dry with a clean towel.
- Don’t touch or move the jewelry
- Avoid getting any cream or lotion in the piercing.
Jewelry
The most common jewelry for a forward helix piercing is cartilage studs with small gemstones and charms. You can combine this one with other types of helix piercings to create a chain of earrings lining the outer edge of the ear. Other popular jewelry options are seamless rings, captive bead rings, hoops and circular barbells. The initial jewelry is mostly straight barbells, threadless or pushpin posts and flatback barbells.
Price
The cost of this piercing is in the range of $30-$60. It is usually a bit costlier than a standard helix piercing, as it needs to be lined up with your anatomy to sit well.
Types
1. Double Forward Helix Piercing
Here you have two vertically aligned piercings instead of a single one in the upper layer of the ear at the same position as a forward helix piercing. It hurts more and has a longer healing time than the single forward helix piercing. But it looks very attractive, allowing you the option to showcase to separate pieces of jewelry.
2. Triple Forward Helix Piercing
In this piercing, there are 3 punctures in the upper layer of the ear, at the usual position of a forward helix piercing. The pain experienced is more than the double forward helix piercing and the healing time is also longer. But it offers you the option of sport three earrings placed close to each other and aligned vertically that looks beautiful. The cost of getting 3 forward helix piercings in a row would cost you 3 times that that of a single forward helix piercing or maybe a little less.