A perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) writer is disclosed wherein an insulation layer is formed between a top yoke (TY) and an uppermost (PP3) trailing shield to electrically isolate the main pole (MP) from a trailing loop for magnetic flux return. One or both of a first non-magnetic (NM) metal layer and a second NM metal layer are formed between the MP tip and a hot seed layer and side shields, respectively, to form an electrical path that is in parallel to that of a dynamic fly height (DFH) heater circuit. MP tip protrusion is enhanced and writability is improved especially for track widths <40 nm, and is tunable by the volume of the first and second NM layer, and the composition of the NM metals. Existing writer pad layouts may be employed and there is no additional cost to PMR backend processes.