When should my helix piercings stop being painful? Also, what are the easiest ways to clean it?

I had a few quick questions, and sorry I don’t have photos, I’m shy.

I got a double helix 8 days ago, and usually it doesn’t hurt but sometimes it does (when I accidentally forget about it or when I get in the shower). I’m pretty sure this is normal, because it’s been less than a month, but I’m very very worried about infection. I don’t know much cause this is my only piercings besides my lobes.

Is pain while showering normal? Also when should I expect that the pain when doing normal stuff stops? I know it can take 6-12 months to heal, but will it be painful that whole time, when it gets touched by my hair and while showering?

Also, I know to clean the piercings with saline solution, but how often and what methods do you use to clean it? Currently I’m doing it daily, by soaking a half of a paper towel in the solution and holding it on my ear (5-10 ish minutes). The saline solution I have seems to have too strong of a spray nozzle to spray directly on the piercing (sorry if this is confusing).