Are you happy with the work that was done? Was it anything special? It is nice to stop by and show the artist how everything healed up. If it is especially nice, (s)he might wanna snap a pic for his album. Bringing a bottle of wine as a thank you is nice, especially if you are contemplating further work.
Unfortunately, I live in LA, and the artist is in Maryland. I got my tattoo done during a weekend visit with a friend on opposite coast.
The work itself was very simple for her – the whole thing took maybe 15 minutes. Still, I wish I’d shown a little more appreciation other than my enthusiastic thank you.
Enthusiastic appreciation is probably enough for 15 minutes worth of work. Most of my pieces have taken a minimum of 3 hours per sitting; I usually tip $20, but mine are done by friends who do not charge. For a tattoo I got a few years ago, I tipped a guinea pig castration. Long story. 
Do tell 
I’m thinking my artist got off easy with a thank you…
Well, it isn’t an *interesting * story. My tattoo artist and his wife (a piercer) are both highly allergic to dogs and cats. So allergic, that I always shower after work before visiting them. They found that they could tolerate a hairless guinea pig (aka skinny pig). They really loved the little guy. I mentioned that he would be more pleasant once he sexually matured if he were neutered. So I did it. 
I bet I can guess the guinea pig’s version: “Chitter chitter chitter chit—SQUEEEE SQUEEEE SQUEEEEEEEE!”
Now my coworkers want to know why I just burst out laughing.
The standard aftercare folder I get at Infinite (Professional Piercing & Body Jewelry - Infinite Body Piercing, Inc.) says to soak for 5 minutes daily (for the duration of the healing period) in 8 oz hot water mixed with 1/4 teaspoon of noniodized sea salt. I’ve been doing soaks with my septum ever since, in part because I keep getting stretched (going up to 6 ga at the end of October) and in part because it helps keep the nasal passages clean.
Ear cartilage is 2-4 months to heal
Best of luck to you!
You’re not well. Please don’t change.
Actually, if you read the guinea pig’s lines as written, very loudly, that would be very accurate. 
That’s a long time to get a guinea pig to hold still.
I know, that’s why it took me so long to post it! My son’s friend is over working on homework, and he used to raise guinea pigs. “Nick, how would you spell the sound a guinea pig makes when it’s happy?” I asked. “Well, they sort of chitter sometimes,” he replied. “What about when they’re pissed off?” “Squee.” “Surprised?” “Squee.” “Sad?” “Squee. It’s always squee.”
See? I did research ‘n’ everything. That there was a finely crafted post that only LOOKED like a smart ass off the cuff one liner!
*ETA: Words cannot adequately express the hillariosity that is a 14 year old emo boy blandly saying “It’s always squee.”
Since I last responded to this thread, I have learned through other sources that you are right. SO I stand corrected. And I am now VERY surprised there are women out there willing to be strippers. It also explains why I have felt hustled in some of these places-they’re just passing it on.