Day One Onwards: * Prior to cleaning piercings, wash your hands with micro-bacterial (preferably oil-based) soap. Lather soap for 10-15 seconds and rinse thoroughly. * Wash your new piercing twice daily with a Q-tip or cleaned fingers, and with soap and water or saline solution. Start the first day you get the piercing — rubbing alcohol isn’t ideal, since it can dry out your piercing which may make the skin crack and bleed. * Only twist or turn an earring in its pierced hole when wet (such as after a shower) — you don’t want to tear the healing skin! Questions and Complications: * Be patient! Your ear will take a few months to fully heal, while a cartilage piercing could take up to 10 months. * If there is redness or uncomfortable swelling, apply a cool cloth or insulated ice pack. Remember to clean the piercing at least twice daily! * If an infection occurs, be sure you (or your child, if it is their piercing!) are cleaning thoroughly — a worst case scenario means you have to remove the piercing. Remember, a new piercing can take 6-8 weeks to heal, and with an infection the full healing process will take a bit longer.