GENERAL ADVICE FROM A MEDICAL DOCTOR

The contributor for this question is Dr. Kai Kristensen
<tattoodoc@jps.net>, a pathologist recently retired lab director (after
almost 30 years) of an internationally reknown medical center in La
Jolla, California. While his professional expertise is not specifically
in bodyart, Kai is a bodyart enthusiast:

After the session, the best treatment is simply that which one would
give a bad sunburn. For the first few hours (or overnight) leave on the
protective dressing supplied. After removing that dressing, clean gently
with soap and water and apply a thin film of antibiotic ointment
(Bacitracin or any of the triple antibiotic ointments available over the
counter). That can be repeated during the day for comfort and sticky
clothing. The process is repeated the second and third days. After that,
keeing the area clean on a daily basis and (if you wish) lightly
lubricated with some vaseline to minimize crusting also helps minimize
the itch. Plastic surgeons keep wounds clean and moist for least scar
formation. Do not go swimming for the first day or two after tattooing.

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS WITH NO BASIS IN REALITY:

1. "Vaseline makes a tattoo faded". The ink is underneath the epidermis 
   and the outer layer of dermis. There's NO WAY that vaseline can get 
   down through the epidermis to draw out any of the ink.

2. "Swimming makes a tattoo faded". For the same reason as the above, 
   pool chlorine does not get to the ink to fade it. Common sense 
   precautions include not swimming in a public pool with a raw sore, 
   such as a new tattoo while oozing or completely raw. After the first 
   2 days, the surface over the tattoo is impervious and (from personal 
   experience as well as science background) it is OK to swim.