Your artist may suggest one of the following two methods to care for your new tattoo, depending on what the two decide would be best for your individual situation.
We may suggest using a Saniderm bandage, or just going with the tradtional method.

Saniderm:

A Saniderm style bandage is applied directly after your tattoo session, and designed to stay attached for 5 days.
This bandage will completely seal and protect the area, allowing your body to heal itself underneath.
Seeing quite a bit of discharge under the bandage is completely normal and will aid in the healing process.
Your artist may suggest that you return the following day to change the bandage, if he/she feels it best in your case.

Saniderm bandages don't require any regular maintenance on your part while your tattoo is healing, but there are some things to look out for.
It's best to avoid excess sun exposure or sweating while healing, so use your best judgement in your day to day activites.
Also, be mindful that some clients have been known to develop a reaction to the adhesive in these bandages, and should remove it immediately if any redness occurs, and switch to the traditional method.

After 5 days, the bandage should be removed, which is best done in a shower, and peeled off slowly.
Continued moisturizing with a tattoo friendly product, like Redemption Aftercare, is suggested for the next few weeks.

Traditional Method:

1.
After two or more hours, remove bandage and wash antibacterial soap.
Bandage can stay on for up to 8 hours, so wait until you are able to properly care for your tattoo before removing bandage.

2.
Once it thoroughly cleaned and rinsed, pat dry with a paper towel, and let air dry for 10 to 15 minutes.
House towels can harbor bacteria, so we suggest using paper towels.

3.
With clean hands, apply a very small amount of ointment, and work into the skin.
Acceptable ointments may include Redemption Aftercare, bacitracin, triple antibiotic ointment, Neosporin, Aquaphor, etc.
Check with your tattoo artist to see what they recommend.

4.
Re-wrap with saran wrap.
We suggest keeping your tattoo wrapped day and night for the first 5 days, until your tattoo peels.

5.
Change the wrap a few times a day, as your schedule allows.
Be sure to properly clean, dry, and re-apply ointment when doing so.

6.
Around the 5th day, your tattoo will start to peel like sunburn, usually in the shower.
Allow your tattoo to peel on its own, don't rush it.

7.
Once your tattoo has fully peeled, you need not wrap it anymore, and can switch to a moisturizer for dry skin.
Be sure to use high quality moisturizers, ie. Redemption, Aveeno, Lubriderm, Eucerin, Curel, etc.

Should you have any problems along the way, call your tattoo artist immediately for advice.
Don't take the advice of friends and family, and don't wait.
The future of your tattoo, how it will look for the rest of your life, is entirely dependent on how it heels during the first week, so give it the attention it deserves.