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What is a Spiral Piercing?

Anna T.
Anna T.

A spiral piercing is a unique type of piercing that involves more than one hole and a spiral-shaped piece of jewelry. Most of the time, this type of piercing is done on either the lips or the ears because these areas tend to better accommodate the spiral jewelry. The number of holes that are pierced is typically either two or three, but more than three is not uncommon. The chances of infection for this type of piercing are slightly greater because more than one hole is pierced at a time, but if proper care is taken of the piercings during the healing period there are usually no problems.

When a spiral piercing is done, the piercer will typically pierce two or three holes in a person's ear or lip. These holes must line up perfectly with each other in order for the spiral jewelry to fit the area and look like it is supposed to. The spiral jewelry is usually not worn immediately after piercing, and instead regular studs or retainers are typically put into place until the holes heal. Once the piercing site has healed, a person can select a piece of spiral jewelry to wear. The spiral jewelry is carefully threaded, or screwed, through the piercing holes.

IV antibiotics may be needed to treat a lip infection as a result of a piercing.
IV antibiotics may be needed to treat a lip infection as a result of a piercing.

The risks regarding a spiral piercing are not normally any different than risks involving any other type of ear or lip piercing. A person who decides to get this type of piercing just needs to take proper care of the pierced areas until they are healed. With a spiral piercing, there are more holes to take care of at once, so it is important to pay equal attention to all of them. Cartilage damage and infection are the two primary risks, but these can usually be avoided with proper aftercare.

A spiral piercing may result in an ear infection.
A spiral piercing may result in an ear infection.

When taking care of a spiral piercing, a person should be diligent about using an antibacterial soap on the pierced areas every day. This will help to ward off infection. The studs or other jewelry that are placed in the holes just after piercing shouldn't be taken out, and it might be best for a person to avoid tugging or pulling on her jewelry too much because this could cause further irritation. When a spiral piercing is done on the ear, it might take up to three months to heal completely. Spiral piercings on other parts of the body, such as the lips, typically heal faster and may be completely healed in about a month.

Discussion Comments

strawCake

@Monika - I've seen a spiral lip piercing before, and I thought it was just too much. I think it would probably be all right on the ear though.

I just can't get over having to get three or more piercings at once! I don't think I could do it. I know some people don't care, and are pretty into piercings. I bet it wouldn't be a big deal for someone who is used to getting pierced all the time!

Monika

I've never seen one of these piercings, but they sound really neat! I wish you didn't have to get all the holes pierced at once though. I have two holes in each ear already and I'm probably getting a third soon.

I think it would be really cool to have the option of wearing spiral jewelry! Unfortunately, it sounds like you pretty much need them to be an exact distance apart. I might look into having something custom made after I get my third hole, though. I'm sure it can be done.

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    • IV antibiotics may be needed to treat a lip infection as a result of a piercing.
      By: Africa Studio
      IV antibiotics may be needed to treat a lip infection as a result of a piercing.
    • A spiral piercing may result in an ear infection.
      By: philippe Devanne
      A spiral piercing may result in an ear infection.
    • Symptoms of an infected piercing may include pus and inflammation around the site.
      By: Jeffrey Banke
      Symptoms of an infected piercing may include pus and inflammation around the site.
    • Salt water can be used to clean a piercing and prevent infection.
      By: Meliha Gojak
      Salt water can be used to clean a piercing and prevent infection.