So I’ve recently been struggling with these helix piercings. The lower one I got at the end of May 2024, and the upper one I got at the end of May 2025. I switched out the lower one just once about a week after 12 months of having it, from a titanium flatback to a hoop. I had no issue switching it out at that time. The upper one has had a titanium flatback for the past 11 months. Both flatbacks were downsized at about the 2-3 month mark after being pierced.
I’ve sprayed the top one with saline spray once or twice a day for the first few months. I stopped probably at about 5 months after getting it pierced. I do have a habit of sleeping on them, but less often on this side. I did notice that after maybe 7 or so months, the upper piercing started to become a bit irritated again. It calmed down a month or two later and had been fine since then.
Last night I tried to switch out both piercings to new titanium hoops. I may have been impatient considering both piercings started bleeding when removing and putting the new hoops in. The lower one not as much, but the upper one was pretty bad. I assume it must not have been completely healed yet and I regret switching the jewelry now. Was 11 months too soon to switch to a hoop? What would be best to do now? Should I try to keep the hoop in now and let it reheal, take the jewelry out and let it close, or something else?
Also, after switching the upper one to a hoop, I’ve realized that it was pierced at a different angle than the lower one. The back side is much higher up than the front side in comparison to the lower piercing. Wondering if this is normal or if it was just pierced poorly? Should I try to keep it as is or take it out, let it close and get it repierced? I’d prefer for the two hoops to lay at the same angle but am starting to think that it wouldn’t be possible with how the upper one is currently pierced.
Appreciate any advice! Pictures were taken about 10 hours after switching to hoops. Please let me know if you need any other information!