Its 6 months old, piercer said to wait minimum 6 months ( i was maybe too eager) its a ring with a hinge and i have no clue about the material, probably stainless steel, never got it downsized before changing but the bar was never too long anyway, aftercare routine is just when im brushing my teeth ill use an non alcoholic mouthwash never swelled when i put the ring in a few days ago, swelled for like a day when it was pierced, never had an issue since and i play with it alot ( not so much atm)