Earstretching.net

The reason you're not supposed to use the "ear piercing solution" is because it's very harsh and will kill healthy cells and delay healing. Infections are really pretty rare in piercings so you don't have much to worry about there as long as you're not constantly touching it with dirty hands or anything. The best way to clean a piercing is sea salt soaks; mix no more than 1/4 teaspoon sea salt per one cup hot water and soak for 5-10 minutes. Other than that just leave it alone and don't touch or move the jewelry.

Downsizing was the right thing to do. Does it feel okay with the 10mm or is it swollen or anything? If it's swollen you might want to go down another size to take the pressure off.

In the future, you'll want to go to 11mm before 12mm. Also, never wear tapers. You should put in a pair of plugs right away after you stretch.

Thanks so much for your response!

Well ive gone shopping at work haha, mixed up a solution and soaked it, also should i be washing the salt water off right after, will it dry out? :/

and it was really swollen when i attempted to put in my 10mm yesterday, but then again i was dabbing q-tips around it cleaning the blood for a good 5-7 minutes, which would have irrated the crap outta it, but since my tunnels been in its been quiet fine, just a tad puffy and red, still a little sore today...

and barely anywhere here sells 11mm tapers or plugs, i didnt even think they existed! until reading these forums - so much for piercing shops in australia hey... ill have to order some off the net.

and how long should i wait after the ear is healed and everythings fine before re-attempting for 11mm ?

again thanks so much