The Helix Experience
At A Glance Author Jordan "Kuja" Whytock Contact xxjordanxx@straightedgeonline.org When Three months ago Studio Dragon FX Location Edmonton, Alberta. Canada It started one cool spring afternoon. I had just come from getting my head shaved for the first time ever and I was under the impression that a Helix piercing would really appeal to me and compliment the new look.
I headed to West Edmonton Mall and Dragon FX. I talked to the guy at the counter and he said that the resident piercer would come in at around 3 o'clock. It was about 1 o'clock so I went home for a little while, which was hard because I was very excited, and came back at around 4 o'clock. When I came back the piercer was there and unoccupied. I have never been pierced there before but I have talked and consulted with about other things a few times before, mostly because it is the closest piercing place to my job and tends to have a pretty good reputation.
There was some pre-pierce stuff I needed to do. I filled out a waiver form and the studio asked me to fill out a quiz after reading a pamphlet on aftercare. It was pretty easy. You'd have to be stoned, drunk or plain stupid to not know how to answer. That makes sense though since those are the people they want to screen out. I went, accompanied by the piercer, into one of two smaller rooms. There was enough room for me, the piercer and a friend, with the door closed, so it was pretty comfortable. I sat down on the "operation" bed and he walked me through the process while preparing. After putting on gloves he removed a 14 gauge needle from a sterilized package and asked me if I was ready. I told him that I was good to go and he finally grabbed a standard captive ball ring from a sterile package as to have it ready. The actual "piercing" was really easy. A little poke and it was all over. I would certainly rate the pain as very low for anyone who is interested in trying a helix piercing. After reviewing aftercare procedure a left with my friend and we went to grab a bite to eat. I didn't say anything at the time but during the procedure I actually felt quite queasy. I didn't want to be told that I couldn't get pierced so, stupidly, I went ahead with it feeling sick. I'm pretty sure it was just nerves though. I felt a lot better after it was over and even better after we went to the food court and got Sushi. Ya, Sushi on a queasy stomach, I don't know why I did it either.
2 Weeks:
For the last two weeks I have been cleaning my helix with basic saline solution from London Drugs and Q-Tips. It has healed exceptionally well. I must have been built for this kind of thing because I tend to heal really well. At this point I have downgraded my cleaning to two times a day and it's still doing really well. I don't want to over clean it with fear of breaking up the healing.
2 Weeks – 3 Days:
Today I got hit in the ear, right in the top of the ear, with a soccer ball. I'm not sure what the probability of getting clipped right in the top of the ear while playing soccer is but I personally never even considered it a risk. I thought someone might run into me or the like but I never figured it would be the actual soccer ball. This trauma seems to have set back my healing significantly. I think it may have torn it a bit. It's really disappointing but I think I can wait. I started cleaning it a bit more, about three times a day and it's doing well.
3 Weeks:
Everything seems to be back on track. I assume that the healing process will be complete very soon. It's gotten to the point that it moves around when I move my head now which feels so cool because there's still exposed wounds. I love that about fresh piercings. It's one of the coolest feelings in the world. Anyway, I've downgraded back to two cleanings a day, unless something happens, and all is well. With my exceptional healing capacity I still expect to have healed piercing around 4 or 5 weeks and I am looking forward to changing the jewelry to something other than this plain ball closure ring.
4.5 Weeks:
After exploring for a good place to find jewelry, with poor luck, I ended up buying from this place in the mall. It's not like Claire's, the place specializes in body jewelry, but I still question the quality of what I bought. I don't really mind because I've never had any allergic reactions or the like to any metals before. I'm sure my body will be fine with it and I love this jewelry anyway, it's a twist and it looks really cool.
That's the end. It's now been two months and the piercing it completely healed. I am hoping to stretch it soon but I need to find a suitable taper and jewelry. I will hopefully post another experience about that when it comes.
Good Day,
Jordan "Kuja" Whytock