Forward Helix Piercing | Blue Banana | Mode Alternative

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.