Titanium Helix Earrings & Piercing Jewellery

277 products

Collection: Helix | Gauge: 16g (1.2mm) | Recommended Length/Diameter: 6mm to 8mm labrets, 8mm to 10mm rings | Material: ASTM F136 Implant-Grade Titanium

The helix piercing sits on the outer rim of upper ear cartilage and is the first cartilage piercing most people get, usually as a step up from their lobe piercings. It is also one of the most flexible placements for jewellery. Flat-back labret studs are the standard choice for a fresh or healing helix because they do not move through the channel. Once healed, hinged clicker rings and seamless segment rings hug the rim of the ear for the classic helix hoop look. Cartilage has a poor blood supply and heals slowly, so material choice matters: ASTM F136 implant-grade titanium is nickel-free, hypoallergenic and light enough not to drag on the piercing, which is why UK piercers fit it as standard for helix jewellery.

What size is a helix piercing?

A helix piercing is almost always 16g (1.2mm). Labret length is 8mm for a fresh piercing and 6mm once the swelling has gone, with 5mm suiting very thin ears. For rings, an 8mm inner diameter fits most helix placements near the rim, and 10mm gives a looser hang for thicker cartilage or a piercing set further in. If you are unsure, measure the jewellery you are wearing now or ask your piercer for the exact size.

Helix Jewellery: The Most Popular Cartilage Piercing in Implant-Grade Titanium

UK piercers pierce the helix at 16g (1.2mm) almost without exception, fitting a labret of 8mm to allow for swelling and then downsizing to 6mm after 6 to 8 weeks. Skipping that downsize is the most common cause of helix bumps, because the longer bar tilts and puts pressure on the exit hole. Full healing takes 6 to 12 months, and a helix can feel fine at 3 months and still flare up if knocked or slept on. Other mistakes include starting with a hoop, changing jewellery too early and cleaning with anything other than sterile saline. Helix studs pair well with the rest of the upper ear, so many people combine them with a tragus stud, a conch piercing or a daith ring for a curated ear.

How long does a helix piercing take to heal?

A helix piercing takes 6 to 12 months to heal fully, and around 3 months before it stops feeling tender day to day. Cartilage has a limited blood supply, which is why it heals far more slowly than a lobe. Downsize the labret at 6 to 8 weeks, avoid sleeping on that side and keep cleaning with saline until your piercer confirms it has settled. Hoops are best left until at least the 6 month mark.

Can I get a hoop in my helix straight away?

A hoop is not recommended for a fresh helix piercing. Rings move through the channel every time the ear is touched or slept on, which irritates healing cartilage and often causes bumps. Most UK piercers will fit a flat-back labret first and switch you to a hinged ring or segment ring once the piercing has healed, usually after 6 to 12 months. If you want a hoop eventually, choose an 8mm titanium ring so it sits close to the rim.

Why has my helix piercing got a bump?

A bump on a helix piercing is usually an irritation bump, caused by a bar that is too long, sleeping on the piercing, knocks, or jewellery containing nickel. It is not a keloid in the vast majority of cases. Switch to a correctly sized implant-grade titanium labret, stop touching it, clean with saline twice a day and keep pressure off the ear at night. Most bumps shrink within a few weeks; see your piercer if it grows, weeps or becomes painful.