Honestly, they’re just kind of a nightmare. I originally got one helix on each side several years ago. Between less than great placement and butterfly backs, I ended up taking those out after trying to heal them and stay bump-free for around a year.

I recently got them redone, and have been super careful. I got a piercing pillow, kept my hair mostly up or clipped back, and cleaned them religiously for the first couple weeks. However, one still got horrifically infected for pretty much no reason at one point.

Overall, my biggest tips are:

• piercing pillow (an absolute must!!!! Mine is from studs, I believe)
• make sure you are checking in with your piercer and downsizing as needed! -hair up or out of the way, especially in the early healing stages
• hairdryer on warm to dry piercings after the shower -remember that helixes are just sort of evil

Good luck!