Downsizing is done before a piercing is fully healed by swapping a longer post out for a shorter one to minimize the potential for snags and trauma.
KEEP IT CLEAN AND DRY
Always wash your hands with soap and water before touching your piercing to avoid contact with bacteria or dirt.
Use a saline soution (a mixture of non-iodized sea salt and distilled water) to clean the piercing twice a day. Soak a cotton ball or a cotton swab in the saline solution and gently clean around the piercing area. You may also a piercing aftercare spray. If using an aftercare spray, do a patch test beforehand to check for possible allergic reactiions.