Forward Helix Piercing | Ear Piercing Information & Jewellery

Forward helix piercing is placed on the fold of cartilage that leads close to your head, around the flat of your ear. This rim piercing is usually opposite the classic helix piercing position and can be paired with a tragus piercing to create a mirrored constellation.

What do I need to know about forward helix piercing?

The forward helix piercing has seen an increase in popularity due to celebrities adorning this cute little body mod. Its popularity can also be attributed to the trend for small dainty piercing jewellery as this is the perfect placement for adding a petite gem or design such as a star. For those with the anatomy to support it, multiple forward helix piercings such as a triple forward helix piercing are a sweet addition to your constellation ear jewellery.

Do forward helix piercings heal easily?

Due to their placement, forward helix piercings can take a long time to fully heal. They tend to get caught on hair and are sometimes knocked but this is true of many upper ear cartilage piercings. To easily heal your forward helix piercing, keep your hair tied back and stick to your aftercare routine. Regularly check that no hair is wrapped around your jewellery and clean away any ear debris build-up. This piercing usually takes 3 months to heal but can take up to 12 months to be completely healed. Healing times will vary depending on the care for your piercing, if it is regularly knocked, and how effectively your body heals.

Your initial piercing jewellery may be a long labret bar that can be changed to a shorter bar once any swelling has subsided.

What are the benefits of forward helix piercing?

It is thought that some ear cartilage piercings work in a similar way to acupuncture giving benefits such as relieving tension, anxiety, and headaches by working with nerves and blood circulation. Much of this is simply anecdotal so the benefits of forward helix piercing are currently unproven. If you relate the location of the forward helix piercing to acupuncture it may be possible that the position has benefits for muscle tension and blood circulation.

How painful is forward helix?

Like most ear cartilage piercings, the forward helix piercing pain level is usually around 3-5 out of 10 on the pain scale. While pain is relative and information is gathered anecdotally many people find that upper cartilage piercings do not hurt as much as they expect. During the healing process, generally the discomfort and swelling will only last a few days and once the piercing is healed it shouldn’t hurt at all. If you do suddenly experience any forward helix pain once your piercing is healed check that there is nothing caught on the jewellery such as hair and that the jewellery is not damaged.

Does forward helix hurt more than tragus?

The forward helix usually hurts less than the tragus because the cartilage in the upper area of the ear of thinner.

How do you take care of a forward helix?

To take care of your forward helix piercing, clean it twice a day with piercing aftercare solution, saline solution or salt and boiled water (make sure to allow the water to cool before cleaning). Continue this routine for at least 3 months while your piercing is healing. Being vigilant with your cleaning routine will help you to avoid infection and speed up healing time. During this time don’t change your jewellery, avoid using any cosmetics on the area, and try not to knock or put pressure on the piercing.

Can you sleep on forward helix piercing?

It is advised not to sleep on your forward helix piercing while it is healing. The additional pressure and movement may cause the healing process to take longer. Once your forward helix piercing is fully healed you can sleep on it. Take care not to catch it in your bedding by choosing plain pillowcases. During healing and after if you do not find it comfortable to sleep on, using a doughnut pillow, travel neck pillow, or V pillow can be more comfortable as you can place your ear in the hole while still supporting your head while you sleep. Getting a new piercing on only one ear will allow you to still sleep on your side or your back without putting pressure on your piercing.

How long does forward helix stay sore?

How long your forward helix piercing stays sore is a completely subjective question. It depends on how it healed and how your body reacted to your new piercing. Look out for signs such as redness, discharge, swelling and bumps. Some people experience no soreness and very little bleeding after a piercing. However, for others, it may be sore for up to a week after the initial piercing. Then the piercing may periodically become sore if it flares up or is knocked. Piercings may get sore from time to time but if you consistently experience discomfort and you think your piercing should already be healed, talk to one of our piercers for advice.

The forward helix piercing tends to have an initial healing period of 3 months, after which it is less sensitive. However, for cartilage piercings to fully heal you may be waiting 6 months to a year.

Can you wear headphones with a forward helix?

We recommend only using earbuds with your fresh forward helix piercing and waiting until it is fully healed to wear over-the-ear headphones. The upper placement of the ear piercing forward helix means that you should be able to comfortably wear in-ear headphones however it is worth waiting until the initial swelling has calmed down.

How do you change a forward helix piercing?

Usually, a forward helix piercing uses a labret bar. This type of forward helix jewellery is easy to change by unscrewing the ball and taking the jewellery out of the back of your piercing hole. You can then insert a different bar, making sure it is the same size or try a very small hoop. If you are unsure about changing your piercing jewellery you can change the add on ball without removing the bar or you can visit a piercer for assistance.

Forward helix jewelry examples include:

· Triple Forward Helix Piercing Jewellery: Three matching or complimentary labret studs. A popular design is to have matching gemstones or an assortment of shapes.

· Forward Helix Piercing Hoop: A small forward helix hoop can be used in your piercing once it has healed. Try a segment ring or BCR forward helix ring in your piercing but make sure to check the size that you need.

· Forward Helix Piercing Earrings: The easiest switch to make is to earrings. Get a flat back stud such as a labret to adorn your piercing. Alternatively, keep the bar you were pierced with and screw on a different gem or accessory to the end to change the look. Popular designs include stars, moons, and gemstones.

Forward helix piercings may have started as a celebrity trend but we think they are here to stay as they make a cute addition to constellation ear piercings and offer a dainty alternative to other ear cartilage piercing placements.

Forward Helix Piercing Procedure

Looking to get a forward helix piercing? Use our store locator to find your local Blue Banana Studio. There’s no need to book an appointment; you can simply go to the store of your choice and be pierced on the day.

Please ensure that you have checked the forward helix piercing age restriction before coming to store. It can help to avoid any undue disappointment. In a Blue Banana studio, the helix piercing age restriction is 16 (ID may be required) or 13 with parental consent from a parent or guardian who is present.

Once you’re all booked in, you will have some forms to fill out. A member of Blue Banana staff will go through the steps and can help you pick out jewellery. Then you can meet the piercer! They too will give you a quick consultation and briefing before discussing the forward helix piercing location. If you are planning to have multiple forward helix piercings in the future, make sure to tell your piercer so you can discuss the best placement.

The forward helix piercing typically involves a sterilised gauge needle which your piercer will pass through the cartilage, inserting the jewellery in the process. For the forward helix piercing, the piercer may ask you to lie down to ensure your head stays still while the piercing is performed. Sometimes you will be asked to wear some form of earplug, to prevent any small objects from accidentally entering your ear canal. The piercing site is cleaned thoroughly and marked with a pen first so you can check that you are happy with the location.

Forward Helix Piercing Aftercare Advice

A forward helix piercing can take 3-9 months to fully heal due to the piercing passing through the cartilage of the ear. The healing time varies from person to person and will need top aftercare to ensure speedy healing.

During the healing process, it is important to avoid knocking the piercing or putting pressure on the area as this will slow down healing and can even cause unnecessary problems. For example, make sure not to sleep on the side with the new piercing and don’t touch the piercing unless absolutely necessary. The location of the forward helix piercing means it can be prone to getting knocked or getting hair caught around it more than other ear piercing locations. Other steps that can be taken to aid with healing include tying back long hair, not wearing earphones or other ear coverings, and avoiding contact with any kind of cosmetics including moisturiser and hair products.

Like any piercing, it is important to maintain top hygiene when caring for your forward helix piercing. Sticking to your aftercare routine for your forward helix piercing will help limit potential infections and ensure your piercing gets the best chance at healing quickly. Gently clean your forward helix piercing twice a day with salt water solution, aftercare solution or Tea Tree Oil by gently bathing it using cotton wool.

While it is important to ensure your general ear hygiene is first rate, it is also advisable to avoid using soap on your new piercing so be sure to take extra care while washing your ears and removing ear wax.

If you would like further information, make sure to read our full Piercing Aftercare Guides to learn about side effects to look out for.

Choosing Forward Helix Piercing Jewellery

There’s plenty of options when it comes to forward helix piercing jewellery from Blue Banana. Some popular styles include:

Forward Helix Piercing Earrings
Forward Helix Piercing Stud
Forward Helix Piercing Hoop

We tend to recommend choosing piercing jewellery such as a labret for the first year of having your forward helix piercing as this is much less likely to become caught or get knocked against anything, therefore helping your piercing to heal. Once your piercing is fully healed there are plenty of ring options to try out, as long as you ensure to use quite a small hoop. Small studs are one of the most popular jewellery choices for forward helix piercings. It is vital for the healing process that you remain patient and don’t change your jewellery until your piercer has advised you to do so.

With so many different types of jewellery available for your forward helix piercing it is easy to customise your look. From the cute decorative stud to a classic labret or a seamless ring – it’s all available at Blue Banana. When choosing your piercing jewellery there are a few things you should consider:

Jewellery Size – everyone’s ears are different sizes, so make sure to pick forward helix jewellery that sits just right in your ear. If you pick a hoop with a diameter or gauge that is too small it may not fit around the outer rim of your ear. At the same time, you don’t want your jewellery to be too large as it may increase the chance of it catching.
Jewellery Material – piercing materials differ not only through their look but also how they could react to your skin. If you have sensitive skin that may be prone to irritation, one of the many Titanium jewellery options is recommended. This material comes in a variety of colours and is durable too!

If you regularly participate in sports, you may want to discuss the best piercings for you with your piercer. Alternatively, it is advised that during sport you wear a retainer or some form of flexible bar jewellery to make sure your piercing won’t cause problems if knocked or caught.

When searching for a piece of jewellery make sure you know your measurements. We display the piercing jewellery measurements as Gauge first (displayed in millimetres) then Diameter/Length, e.g. 1.2mm x 8mm.

Gauge – this is the thickness of the jewellery itself.
Diameter – the width across the widest point of the jewellery for hoops and rings.
Length – the length of the piercing bar, usually not including the ball.

We generally recommend that for new piercings you choose jewellery with a wider diameter or length. This can allow for extra room in case of any swelling. Make sure to check out the tips from our piercing guides for information about changing and removing piercing jewellery.

Other Guides & Ranges

Please Note: Blue Banana piercing information is based on knowledge from our experiences as one of the UK's top piercing studios. All details provided should be read alongside professional advice. Please see our full Piercing Articles Disclaimer, here.