what is the best way to care for a new tattoo?

For the first 3-5 days, you should be using Aquaphor, Tattoo Goo, or A&D ointment on it. Just enough to keep it moist until your next wash. And I recommend washing it with gold Dial soap... At least 3x a day. Pat it dry with a paper towel or clean wash cloth. Don't rub it.

After the 5 days or so, use a no aloe, non-scented, no healing lotion on it such as Lubriderm, Curel, or Neutrogena body lotion. (I was recommended the Neutrogena by my recent artist because my skin was sensitive and the lotion seems to have helped.) Use this for the next week or so.

You may notice that your tattoo will get funny looking and have colored flakes of skin falling off. Don't worry- your tattoo isn't coming off. This is just a normal part of the healing process. Do NOT pick at these flakes, let them fall off on their own.

If you do, you can pull color out of them and mess up your beautiful tattoo! I did that with my first tattoo... my bird is dark grey with black spots, instead of all black. :(

I've had a few tattoos, and was always told to use a perfume-free moisturizer. Vaseline is not recommended as it prevents air from getting to the tattoo which it needs to heal properly.

Moisture once, twice MAX per day. Keep the tattoo clean, and don't pick at it! It will get very itchy, scab, and once the scabs fall off on their own, voila, your tattoo!

I use a real thin coat of a mild lotion like Aveeno. Vaseline and A&D can pull color out of the tattoo.

yes vaseline is bad, b/c its thickness clogs the skin pores and won't allow it to heal..use a ointment such as neosporin which is a anti-bacterial product..also try to keep it from getting wet for the first week or so...