Getting a new tattoo can be a long process, and can result in infections and imperfections. Caring for the tattoo as soon as you get one, is important. It is like caring for a new car. Maintaining it will make it last longer. Same thing with a tattoo It is important to give it proper care so it still looks just as good after ten years.

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[edit] Steps

Go to a good tattoo artist for your new tattoo. The reason that tattoos require healing time is that getting a tattoo is traumatic for your skin. A good experienced tattoo artist will be able to get you inked with the least amount of trauma and as such your skin will heal faster and with fewer complications.
Leave the bandage on for at least forty five minutes after getting your tattoo. A new tattoo is essentially a wound on your skin that permit bacteria to get through the first line of defense that your body has, your skin. This allows new tattoos susceptible becoming infected,causing patchiness in a healing tattoo. Keeping your bandages on for up to one hour will allow time for your skin to begin to heal thus reducing your risk of infection.
Soak the bandage with warm water when removing it. This will eliminate pulling off skin that might have stuck to the bandage while wet. Never just yank off the bandage. This step can be skipped if your tattoo was bandaged with cellophane wrap. Cellophane traps in bacteria, and seals the tattoo off from air. A regular bandage, or a plastic/gauze pad is better for your tattoo.
Clean off the gunk on the new tattoo after the bandage is removed. Wash it lightly with some warm water and antimicrobial soap or soap made especially for tattoo healing. Never use bar soap, it will dry out the area. Merely lather some soap on your hand, and gently wash the tattoo and rinse off. Pat dry with a clean towel.
Apply a thin layer of moisturizing lotion, or products made for tattoo healing on your tattoo. Most lotions are acceptable so long as they are non-fragrance and non-coloured, as fragrance and colour can irritate the tattoo. Use whatever your artist recommends,because they can refuse touchups if you don't follow their aftercare.
Continue to apply the lotion or salve in thin layers twice a day for three to five days. Then switch to an unscented lotion for about five to seven days or so until your tattoo has completely healed. Tattoo healing normally takes about 6 days to two weeks. A tattoo will generally go through two peels before it is completely healed.

[edit] Tips

Don't pick any scabs or peeling skin that may form on your tattoo. You might pull off pigment and reopen your tattoo to infection. Any scabbing and peeling will resolve itself in time. Be patient and your tattoo will look all the better for it.
As your tattoo heals it will itch terribly. Scratching a peeling tattoo has the same effect as picking at a peeling tattoo. Apply moisturizing lotion or lightly slap the itchy spot. Treating the spot with some cooling agent (like an icepack) might help, too, as it prevents histamines from puffing up the tissue (as it might if you scratch or slap the spot).
When a tattoo is in the process of healing, expect it to look dull, gross, and as if it's losing color. After it has healed and still looks bad then maybe you need touch-ups. Most dependable tattoo artists will touch-up their work free for the life of the tattoo.
Even after your tattoo has healed try to avoid exposing it to the sun without sunscreen. Sunscreen 30 SPF or higher will work the best. Sunlight over time bleaches tattoos.

[edit] Warnings

Tattoos are permanent. Think very carefully before deciding to get one.
There are modern laser removal operations available, but they can be very expensive (up to $100 per square inch) and take up to 8 sessions to remove depending on color and size. Even though it's possible to do with today's technology, it's expensive! Consider this before going through with your design.
Do NOT use Vaseline or any petroleum-based products.