Last weekend, I was in a bad mood and needed something to cheer me up. On a whim, I decided to go get piercings. I wasn’t planning on doing it that day. I just thought, “I’m going to do this right now.” Call it an impulse-piercing decision. Sometimes you need a little piercing therapy to lift your spirits.
Yes, I did what I always say never to do—but no, I didn’t use a piercing gun. So yes, on my right ear, I now have two vertical helix piercings at the top. I love them so much.
Why I Chose Double Helix Over Industrial Piercing
I decided to get the double helix piercing instead of an industrial.
Every time I’ve had an industrial piercing, it’s never gone well. I thought maybe after two failed attempts, I shouldn’t try again. This way, I can have three cool piercings. I only got two at the moment, but I can get three separate piercings, and it can be really fun.
The two piercings are angled differently. This one goes this way, that one goes that way. I’m going to get a third one that’s going to sit right in the middle. That one will go straight through the center.
Is A Double Helix Piercing Painful?
I haven’t gotten helix piercings in forever. I don’t even remember the last time I had my helix pierced. I think I was still living in Devon. Since moving to London, I’ve only gotten other piercings done—my lip, nose, and rook. It’s been literally about four years since I got a helix piercing done.
I had forgotten the feeling of what a helix piercing is like. I remembered when I got my industrial done the first time, the top hurt more than the bottom. But these are both at the top, so I was nervous. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel.
The First Helix Piercing: Initial Pain
I arrived at the piercing studio early—right as it opened. I had to wait a little bit for the space to be sanitized. My piercer, Ronnie, came in while I was waiting. We had a chat. She asked if I was nervous. I told her I wasn’t too sure because I didn’t really remember this kind of feeling.
She marked my ear and I looked at the placements. They were perfect. These piercings are done at 1.6 mm (14 gauge). She initially was going to do them at 1.2 mm, but 90% of my piercings are at 1.6 mm.
She pierced the first one, which is the back piercing. When she did the first one, it didn’t hurt that much. I was a bit sore, but it wasn’t actually that bad. Because she’s such a good piercer, it happened quickly. She knows what she’s doing. She’s amazing.
I didn’t bleed at all, which was absolutely amazing. I thought, “That was fine. That wasn’t bad.” She put the balls on and put the bars in. Everything was absolutely fine.
The Second Helix Piercing: Intensified Sensation
Then the second piercing came through. This is where the second helix piercing hurts more than the first.
I’ve only had two piercings done at once twice before. I had my septum done and my Ashley done at the same time. I had my rook piercing and my tragus piercing done at the same time. Both times, the second piercing has always hurt so much more than the first.
The second one, which is the forward piercing, hurt quite a lot. I had forgotten how much piercings actually hurt at the top. The top cartilage piercing tends to be more painful than the lower ones. Putting the bar in the second one was more sore.
I looked in the mirror and absolutely fell in love with the double helix piercing. I really, really love it.
Why the Second Helix Piercing Hurts More
The Adrenaline Theory
I think the second piercing hurts more because when you get your first one done, your body releases all the adrenaline to that area. All of it rushes to help with the pain. Your body uses all its resources on the first piercing.
When you get another one done right after, your body’s not expecting it. It doesn’t have as much adrenaline left to send to the piercing area. I’m probably making no sense—I’m not a biologist, chemist, or scientist. But that’s how I see it.
The adrenaline effect on piercing pain is real. Your body’s pain management system gets depleted after the first piercing, making the second one feel more intense.
My Double Helix Piercing Pain Scale Ranking
I’m going to add the double helix to my piercing pain scale. I’m putting this one at number six on my list. I can’t remember exactly what other piercings were at that point. But because the forward one hurt quite a lot—probably because it was done second—I think I’m going to put this at number six.
Can You Wear Headphones with a Helix Piercing?
Can you wear headphones with a new helix piercing? Since having the double helix piercing done, some things have changed.
Obviously, I haven’t been able to wear my big headphones. When I go to the gym in the mornings, I have to work out in silence, which is really annoying. My big heavy headphones sit on the top of the ear. That’s obviously where the piercings are.
The headphones stick up above the ear. I can’t wear headphones at all, which is annoying. But I just have to wait until they heal a bit before I can do that.
Double Forward Helix Piercing Swelling
The swelling has been interesting. It hasn’t swollen a little bit, but I think it’s because I had two done.
When you just get one piercing, your body can focus all its healing power on one spot. But when you’ve got two, your body is using less energy on one. It’s spreading the healing between two piercings.
I’m not a biologist. I’m not a scientist. Maybe I shouldn’t be saying these things. But that’s how I see it. When your body has to heal multiple piercings at once, the body energy for healing multiple piercings gets divided.
The healing hasn’t actually been too bad. They’ve swollen over the ear. When you have new ear piercings, you often wake up with some blood on the pillow. But these haven’t done that. It’s literally not bled once. I guess I’ve just been quite lucky. I’ve woken up and it’s been a bit sore, so I think I’ve rolled onto it a couple of times.
Double Helix Piercing Aftercare Tips
Daily Cleaning Routine
I’ve been cleaning them with saline solution at the moment because they’re quite tender. I don’t tend to use actual salt water unless something’s wrong. I feel saline solution is a bit strong. Saline solution is salt water, but it’s very diluted. It should take up to about six months to heal.
I’m probably going to change the ends of the jewelry maybe a little bit before then, but I’ll keep the same bars. I don’t know if that’s any better than changing the bars themselves. But I always do this. I never follow my own rules.
What to Avoid During Healing
Don’t change your double helix piercing jewelry before it’s healed. I know I say this all the time, but then I do it anyway. But please, listen to what I do, not what I actually do.
Sleeping Position Tips
Sleeping with a helix piercing hasn’t been too bad. I have been waking up with it being a bit sore. I think I’ve rolled onto it a couple of times. Try to sleep on the other side. Try to talk on the phone on the other side. Just little things like that while they’re healing.
Don’t touch the piercings. Don’t play with them. Leave them alone and just let them heal.
Lifestyle Changes After Getting Double Helix
Here are the main adjustments I’ve had to make:
- Can’t wear headphones: Big over-ear headphones don’t fit anymore. I have to work out in silence at the gym, which is annoying.
- Sleeping changes: I’ve been waking up with soreness when I accidentally roll onto my right ear.
- Phone usage: I try to use my phone on the other ear to avoid pressure.
- Hair care: I’m more careful with my hair to avoid snagging the jewelry.
- Clothing: I’m mindful of scarves and hoodies that could catch on the piercings.
These are small adjustments, but they make a difference during the healing process.
My Piercing Journey: From Impulse to Love
This experience reminded me why I love getting pierced. Sometimes you just need that impulse piercing decision to shake things up. I walked into the studio in a bad mood, and walked out feeling amazing. That’s the power of piercing therapy.
I’ve been getting pierced for years. I have two piercings I’ve had for 17 years—my earlobe and Madonna. This double helix feels like a natural addition to my collection. It’s exciting to still find new ways to express myself through body modification after all these years.
The whole experience, from the spontaneous decision to the actual piercing, reminded me why I love this form of self-expression. There’s something special about making a quick decision that results in something you’ll love for years to come.
Future Plans: Triple Helix Piercing and Beyond
The next piercing is probably going to be my right nipple because I need to balance it out. After that, I’ll get the third helix on my right ear—the one that will sit in the middle and go straight through. Once that’s done, I’ll have the complete triple helix look I’ve been envisioning.
I’m giving this ear a little more time to heal before adding the third piercing. But I’m really excited about completing the set. The angled piercings I have now will look even better once the center one is added.
Quick Recap: Double Helix Piercing Tips
- The second helix piercing hurts more due to depleted adrenaline from the first piercing
- Expect 6 months healing time for complete recovery
- Swelling is normal and may be more pronounced with multiple piercings
- Clean with saline solution rather than harsh salt water
- Avoid wearing over-ear headphones during healing
- Sleep on the opposite side to prevent irritation
- The pain level ranks around 6/10 on a personal pain scale
-This sharing article comes from one of our loyal customers and we hope it helps anyone planning to get a double helix piercing.