Herbie Murray
Sleeping on a helix piercing can cause irritation and slow down the healing process. It can also cause the piercing to migrate to an angle, potentially resulting in it never healing properly. To avoid this, it is recommended to sleep on your back or use a travel pillow to keep pressure off the piercing. Additionally, keeping the piercing clean and avoiding moving the jewellery can help speed up the healing process. The healing time for helix piercings varies from person to person, but it generally takes around six to nine months, or possibly longer. It is important to consult a professional piercer to ensure proper aftercare and confirm that your piercing is fully healed before sleeping on it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Healing time | 6 to 9 months, or possibly longer |
| Sleeping on an unhealed helix piercing | Can cause irritation, soreness, bleeding, infection, or delay healing |
| Sleeping on a healed helix piercing | Safe, but keep the piercing clean and downsize to a shorter post to prevent snagging |
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What You'll Learn
Helix piercings take longer to heal than lobe piercings
A helix piercing is a type of cartilage piercing that goes through the helix or outer rim of the ear. It is considered less painful than other cartilage piercings due to the thinner cartilage in this area. However, compared to lobe piercings, helix piercings take significantly longer to heal—usually anywhere from six to nine months, or even longer in some cases.
The longer healing time is due to the tougher nature of cartilage compared to the fleshy earlobes. The healing process of a helix piercing can be divided into several stages: initial healing, cartilage healing, and full healing. During the initial healing stage, which lasts a few weeks, the body forms a protective layer around the piercing, and redness, swelling, and tenderness are common. Over the next few months, the cartilage gradually strengthens and the initial soreness subsides. After three to six months, the piercing should be fully healed, but cartilage piercings may require up to a year or more for complete healing.
To help the healing process, it is important to keep the piercing clean and avoid sleeping on it or moving the jewellery around too much. Sleeping directly on a helix piercing can cause irritation and may even shift the direction or angle of the piercing. It can also delay the healing process. If you must sleep on the side of your helix piercing, use a travel pillow to keep pressure off the piercing.
Additionally, it is crucial to follow your piercer's aftercare instructions and maintain a consistent aftercare routine. This includes cleaning your piercing twice a day with a sterile saline solution and ensuring that your hands and the piercing area are clean before cleaning. Keep the piercing dry, especially since bacteria thrive in moisture, which can cause infections or piercing bumps. Avoid wearing hats, glasses, or other accessories that may interfere with the piercing, and be careful not to bump or snag it.
Overall, while helix piercings may take longer to heal than lobe piercings, with proper aftercare and patience, you can ensure that your piercing heals well and is well worth the wait.
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You shouldn't sleep on unhealed helix piercings
Helix piercings are cartilage piercings, which means there is a higher risk of complications. They also take longer to heal than lobe piercings, usually between six to nine months, but this can vary from person to person. During the healing process, it is crucial to avoid sleeping on your helix piercing. Here's why:
Firstly, sleeping on an unhealed helix piercing can cause irritation and soreness. The piercing may become swollen, and you may even find blood on your pillow. This can be uncomfortable and delay the healing process.
Secondly, putting pressure on the piercing by sleeping on it can cause the piercing to shift angles. This can affect the direction of the piercing and potentially prevent it from ever healing properly.
Thirdly, cartilage piercings are more prone to infections and bumps, including keloid bumps, which may require surgical removal. Sleeping on an unhealed helix piercing can increase the risk of infection as bacteria thrive in moisture.
Finally, if you sleep on your side, you may find it challenging to avoid putting pressure on the piercing. You may need to get used to sleeping on your back or the opposite side to prevent irritating the piercing. Using a travel pillow can also help keep pressure off the piercing.
In summary, it is important to avoid sleeping on unhealed helix piercings to prevent irritation, infection, and potential complications. Following proper aftercare instructions is crucial to ensure the best healing outcome.
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Sleeping on unhealed helix piercings can cause irritation and affect healing
Helix piercings are made through the cartilage of the ear, which means there is a higher risk of complications. Cartilage piercings are more prone to irritations and bumps, and they take longer to heal than lobe piercings—usually between six to nine months, but sometimes longer.
Sleeping on an unhealed helix piercing can cause irritation and affect the healing process. It can cause soreness, and even bleeding. The pressure of your head on your ear and the piercing can irritate it and slow down the healing. It can also cause the piercing to migrate to an angle, which may result in it never healing properly. If you sleep on an unhealed helix piercing, you may wake up with soreness, irritation, or even blood on your pillow.
To avoid this, it is recommended that you sleep on your back. If you are a side sleeper, you can use a piercing pillow to protect your new piercing. You can also try sleeping with your hair pulled back and braided to avoid snags and tangles. It is also important to keep your piercing clean and avoid moving your piercing jewellery around too much.
Once your helix piercing is fully healed, you can sleep on it. However, you should ensure that it has been downsized to a shorter post to ensure that it stays comfortable and doesn't get snagged while you sleep.
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Piercing pillows can help prevent pressure on the piercing
Helix piercings are cartilage piercings, which means they carry a higher risk of complications and take longer to heal than lobe piercings. It is recommended that you avoid sleeping on a new helix piercing, especially if it is still tender, as this can cause irritation, soreness, and even bleeding. Sleeping on a new piercing can also slow down the healing process or cause the piercing to shift direction.
Piercing pillows can be an effective solution to help prevent pressure on the piercing. They are designed to minimise pressure, friction, and movement on the ear, which can cause pain and discomfort. They can also help to speed up the healing process by reducing the risk of infection and discomfort. Piercing pillows come in various sizes, including compact travel pillows, and some allow you to adjust the stuffing to ensure optimal neck and head support.
It is important to follow all aftercare instructions provided by your piercer and to consult them if you have any concerns. While piercing pillows can help, it is still recommended to sleep on your back if possible to avoid putting pressure on a new helix piercing.
Some people also recommend using a clean pillowcase or t-shirt over your piercing pillow to prevent bacteria from entering the piercing site. It is also suggested to change your pillowcase more frequently while the piercing is healing to prevent skin cells, oils, and makeup from causing irritation.
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You can sleep on fully healed helix piercings
Sleeping on a helix piercing before it is fully healed is not recommended as it can cause irritation, soreness, or even bleeding. It can also slow down the healing process, which usually takes six to nine months, or possibly longer.
However, once your helix piercing is fully healed, you can sleep on it. It is important to confirm with a professional piercer that your piercing is indeed fully healed before doing so. Even after the piercing has healed, it is still recommended to use a smooth pillowcase to reduce the potential for snagging. Additionally, it is a good idea to change your pillowcase more frequently to prevent skin cells, oils, and makeup from causing irritation.
If you are a side sleeper, it may be beneficial to get used to sleeping on the opposite side of the piercing before getting it done. This can help you avoid putting pressure on the piercing while it is healing. Some people also find it helpful to use a travel pillow or a piercing pillow to protect their helix piercing while sleeping, especially during the healing process.
Overall, while it is generally advised to avoid sleeping on a helix piercing until it is fully healed, everyone's experience is different. Some people may find that they can sleep on their helix piercing without any issues, even before it is completely healed. However, it is always best to prioritize the healing process and follow the aftercare instructions provided by your piercer to ensure the best outcome.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleeping on a helix piercing before it has healed can cause irritation, soreness, and even bleeding. It can also slow down the healing process, cause infection, or result in the piercing never healing properly.
Helix piercings typically take six to nine months to heal, but this can vary from person to person. Some may take up to a year or longer to fully heal.
If you're a side sleeper, try getting used to sleeping on your back or on the opposite side of the piercing. You can also use a travel pillow to keep pressure off the piercing.
