This.
You asked for advice. It's been given to you. You don't like the answers you are being given. Either listen and try to learn, or end up with a tattoo you don't like OR never find anyone who meets your weirdly specific criteria. Those are your choices.
I slap it when it itches. I don't use lotion to speak of while it is healing. Too many people use too much. I dry heal all the time, and my tattoos all turned out really well.
Just because he's been doing it for it for a long time doesn't mean he's good at it. I'm with Dan here. I don't think I'd go back, but that's up to you.
You literally just posted this. People have lives and work. You'll get an answer.
Anyway, we can't tell a lot from that photo. What do you want us to say? Are you wanting an opinion on the work?
My pup is still alive, but I have a woodcut portrait of him on my thigh. I love my doggies!
Maybe something simpler is in order? It sounds unnecessarily complicated and incongruous.
Also, reddit tattoo guy is full of shit.