It is up to you to take care of your tattoo appropriately in order to ensure a fast, easy, healing period. Failure to properly care for you tattoo can result in scabbing, scarring and/or loss of tattoo pigment. While our artists typically offer free touch-ups after the initial tattoo, if it is apparent that loss of pigment is due to failure to properly care for the tattoo, you may be charged for touch-ups.
We will take the time to personally explain all aftercare to you. This one-on-one attention makes sure that you know what our experience and training have taught us. After all verbal aftercare instructions have been explained we will give this information to you in writing. You will leave our studio with all the aftercare supplies and knowledge needed.
Red Lotus only uses disposable needles and hospital grade sterilization that exceeds city and state regulations. All equipment is dated and will be open in front of you. Needles are used once, then are immediately disposed of after use into an appropriate medical waste container.
If at anytime you have questions about your tattoo, feel free to call the shop or better yet, stop in.
Each of our artists may have slight variations on the details of how they suggest you care for your tattoo and they will discuss those with you at the time of your tattoo. In general however, our suggested aftercare is as follows:
-
Remove saran wrap after 1-2 hours. This allows your skin to build up to its protective layer against bacteria and germs. When you remove the bandage there will be ink on it. THIS IS NORMAL!
-
Remove Sandiderm adhesive after 3-4 days.
-
Wash your hands with antibacterial soap before removing the bandage. DO NOT re-bandage tattoo area.
-
Wash the tattoo with warm water and antibacterial/UNSCENTED soap to remove any dry plasma/ink. NEVER use a washcloth, pat dry with a paper towel. NEVER rub your tattoo dry. This will help avoid pulling any of the ink out of the skin that may be attached to a scab.
-
Clean your tattoo 2-3 times a day until healed. Apply tattoo ointment in thin coats VERY LIGHT. After, switch to a natural lotion such as Lubriderm or NON-Fragrance. Lotions with additives may react with your tattoo.
-
During the first 4 days of your healing, the ointment helps to stop the plasma from drying on the surface of the skin. A colored layer lighter of skin should grow over the tattoo for 5-7 days. This layer will then flake off, revealing a beautiful new tattoo.
-
DO NOT expose your tattoo to sunlight, hot water, steam, salt water, chlorinated swimming pools, natural standing water, such as; lakes, rivers, or streams. You may shower 2 hours after receiving tattoo. However DO NOT shower in very hot water and NOT for an extended period of time, meaning no longer than 15 minutes.
-
Apply SPF 45 sunscreen to area AFTER initial healing period (1 week). Continue for up to 4 months to protect color.
-
DO NOT pick or scratch the tattoo during the healing period, as it will cause loss of color. Let the scabs and flakes fall off naturally.
-
You DO NOT need to apply Polysporin, Bactine, or any other chemical products to your tattoo. Soap and water along with oxygen will heal your tattoo faster than anything that contains chemicals and synthetics. Chemical products will cause a longer healing time and may react with your tattoo ink.
While our suggested aftercare is based upon years of practical experience, and should be safe and effective for almost everyone, we are NOT doctors or medical professionals. There is no way for us to determine if this method will work best for you. If you are aware of any skin allergies or sensitivities you may have, please discuss them with your tattoo artist BEFORE your tattoo is started. They should be able to suggest some alternative products or methods for caring for your tattoo. A tattoo that is properly cared for can look beautiful and vibrant for a lifetime.