You will be bandaged with Vaseline and plastic wrap. Leave the bandage on overnight. Take the bandage off the next morning. Wash the tattooed area with fingertips and a bit of mild soap and water. Washing in the shower is okay. Do not use a wash cloth, sponge, or loofa on the tattoo, they are too abrasive.
Do not soak the tattoo! Keep showers under 5 minutes to minimize water absorption by the tattoo. Soaking your tattoo (via actual water contact or humidity from showering) will result in scabbing and color loss. This means no baths, long showers (even if you're trying to keep the tattoo dry during), hot tubs, swimming, saunas, etc.
After washing gently pat tattoo dry and allow to air dry 15 minutes before massaging.
Massage lotion (alcohol free) into the tattoo 6 times a day for at least two weeks. A pea sized drop of lotion is usually plenty. If there is any lotion left on the skin after 60 seconds of massaging you are using way too much lotion. Firmly, thoroughly massage the tattoo until the lotion has absorbed and then continue massaging for an additional 30 seconds. The point of this exercise is more in the massage than the lotion. Massage breaks up blood clots preventing scabs and stimulates circulation which fuels the healing process.
A tattoo is an open wound for a few days. Treat it as such, do not touch your tattoo with out washing your hands first! Tattoos on ankles or feet should be washed at least before every other massage, or more often if you feel they are getting dirty, i.e. from pet dander or old carpet, etc.
Wear loose soft fabrics over the tattoo. Constrictive materials will inhibit circulation and healing. Abrasive materials will cause irritation that could result in infection. Use common sense, if your clothes irritate your new tattoo wear something else.
No sunlight or tanning beds for 3-4 weeks after being tattooed. The damage done to the skin while tattooing is similar to a sunburn and will be sensitive to heat (via tanning bed, hair dryer, etc) as well as sunlight.
Your tattoo will peel like a sunburn about a week after application. It will look like your tattoo is peeling off. Don't panic! Don't pick or scratch at it. Just continue on with your regular wash and massage schedule.
A fully healed tattoo should be treated with sun block before taken outdoors. SPF 30 or stronger is not overkill even in Alaska. UV exposure from sunlight or tanning beds will fade the color and decrease the longevity of your tattoo.
Enjoy your tattoo!