Helix is a free AI piercing advisor — not a store. It finds you — the AI advisor that finds your exact piercing size, recommends safe materials, locates studios near you with maps, and links to real products. 16 expert tools. Always free.
Helix searches the web for your exact answer — specific product pages, real studio maps, honest healing times. No generic advice, ever.
Every tool a piercing enthusiast needs — all in one place, powered by Helix AI.
Tap any area to explore all piercing types with pain ratings, healing times, and jewelry recommendations.
The two safest materials for piercings — when to use each, why it matters for healing, and what “implant-grade” means.
Read guide →Realistic pain levels, the true healing timeline, and which jewelry to start with.
Read guide →Twisting, Bactine, over-cleaning — the common mistakes that double your healing time.
Read guide →Answered honestly. Or ask Helix directly for your specific situation.
Standard earlobes are typically 20G or 18G. Cartilage piercings (helix, tragus, daith) are 16G. Industrial piercings are 14G. Confirm with your piercer before buying replacement jewelry.
ASTM F136 implant-grade titanium — zero nickel, lightest material, APP-approved. Solid 14k/18k gold is also safe. Avoid mystery metals, plated jewelry, and acrylic.
A helix takes 6–12 months to fully heal internally. It may look fine externally after 2–3 months but the tissue keeps healing. Never change jewelry based on how it looks.
Sterile saline wound wash (NeilMed, Briotech) twice daily — that is the entire protocol. Avoid alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Bactine, and tea tree oil. All damage healing tissue.
Look for APP-certified piercers. APP members use implant-grade jewelry and maintain autoclave sterilization. Use Helix’s Studio Finder for real studios near you with Google Maps links.
Yes — with proper technique. One gauge size at a time, minimum 6 weeks between stretches, implant-grade titanium or borosilicate glass only. Never force a stretch against resistance.
Aftercare reminders, trending jewelry, new guides — straight to your inbox. No spam.