Everything You Need To Know About Behind The Ear Tattoos

If you have noticed that the popularity of behind the ear tattoos has increased, you are not alone. These inked images have actually become one of the most requested lately. Because they cover a small area of your body, they do not require a lot of commitment. Plus, unlike neck tattoos, you can hide the tat with ease whenever you want or need. These are, of course, not the only benefits a tattoo behind the ear gives you. For more, explore our guide.

Pros And Cons Of Behind The Ear Tattoos

Credit photo: @mini_tattooer

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Credit photo: @playground_tat2

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Regardless of the tattoo placement, it has its benefits and drawbacks and behind the ear tattoos for women are no exception. Below, we have collected their main pros and cons.

Behind The Ear Tattoo Pros:

1. Because they are mainly small behind the ear tattoos are less painful in a general sense compared to other locations. Although the pain is quite intense, it is not prolonged. Besides, you can use a numbing cream, which ensures you will hardly feel a thing.
2. All tattoo ideas work equally well for the behind the eye area. So, you are free to get any design you can only imagine.
3. Tattoos behind the ear are one of the easiest to disguise. Hence, whenever you feel the need to cover it up, you can just wear your hair loose.
4. Behind the ear tattoos for females are relatively rare, which makes them a great way to become the center of attention.

Behind The Ear Tattoo Cons:

1. Although it hurts to get any tattoo, the area behind the ear is extremely sensitive. So, if you have quite a low pain threshold, this may be not the best option for you.
2. Since it is located in such a prominent place, it is not always possible to conceal it easily should your dress code at work not allow tattoos.
3. The cute behind the ear tattoos are visible to everyone but you. Well, at least without some help. So, if you would like to see your tattoo frequently, it may be better to think of another location.

The Spark of a Sun Tattoo

You are the sun in your universe. Etch the inner strength and explosive power that you carry within behind the ear to constantly remind yourself and those around you that even on the darkest of nights, there's a ray of light to guide you through. This design of a sun tattoo was created by popular Korean artist Tattoost Mate.

Editor advice: You can personalize any tattoo. In the case of sun tats, we suggest that you experiment with the length and width of the rays. You can make them relate to a specific event or period of your life, too.

Whiskered Guardian

Black cats can project a plethora of intricate meanings. A whiskered protector is one of many, but we say it is a worthy option. Besides, you can always use your favorite pet as the main source of inspiration. Cat tattoos are our little guardians that always stay with us.

Moonlit Whisper

There's rarely anything more calming and inspiring than a midnight's gaze onto the starlit skies. You can immortalize your love for these moments through a minimalistic moon and start behind the ear tattoo.

Personalization: To make the tat truly yours and exceptionally unique, you can pick the moon phase that you relate the most to. Besides, you can implement other significant attributes into the design.

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The Realistic Butterfly Tattoo

You can bring to life a black and white butterfly tattoo with as much as a skilled artist who has a strong sense of beauty and realism. Butterflies usually symbolize beauty and freedom.

Uniqueness: One of the simplest ways to make a tattoo unique and personal is to spice it up with a color accent that bears individual significance to you. You can always combine the butterfly with another attribute, like a quote or a flower.

A Delicate Heart Close to the Pulse

Passionate whispers and intriguing secrets come into one's ear and boost imagination. The spot behind your ear is immensely intimate and personal, so placing a little heart there would symbolize your love for something exceptionally dear to you.

Handwritten Ink

There may be different words that trigger memories or emotional responses in you. Whether the name of a loved one or an inspirational motto, you can keep it close by etching it into your skin. The area behind your ear is perfect for a meaningful phrase.

Maintenance advice: Keep in mind that neat handwritten ink may fade or blur over time. To maintain its precision and readability, we advise you to schedule regular touch-ups.

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Fallen Fern Leave

Time is fleeting, and there's no better way to acknowledge it than with falling fern leaves. Beauty comes from different sources, and growth and decay are alike.

Personal Initials with a Cosmic Twist

You are the sole paver of your path. You deserve admiration and respect. Inking your own initials behind the ear may serve as a constant reminder of this simple truth.

Uniqueness: Ask the tattooer to add a slight shading to the lettering to emphasize the moon's glow over you. Or, accompany the moon with a planet, your ruling planet, or any other planet that bears significance to you will do.

Chinese Characters

The beauty of Chinese hieroglyphs lies in their meaningful context and concise representation. You can coat a vast philosophical concept into a single character and keep your thoughts close to the vest since not everyone reads Chinese. You can etch the character in red to add a deeper cultural flavor to the tattoo. In Chinese culture, red symbolizes good fortune, happiness, joy, strength, and stability.

Colorful Rainbow

There's nothing wrong with being positive and optimistic. A little, bright rainbow resembling the ear's curve speaks of kindness, openness, hope, and optimism. This bright design was created by popular watercolor Seoul tattoo artist Eunyu.

Maintenance advice: Colorful tats tend to fade over time. We suggest you use sun protection and quality moisturizer to prolong the vibrance of your tattoo. Regular touch-ups are a great solution, too.

Mystical Mushrooms

Mushrooms hold a strong, enigmatic power that we can't but admire. Not to mention that these deep forest treasures make a significant contribution to the earth's organic essence.

Personalization: You can add a personal touch to your mushroom tat by picking the species that mean a lot to you. Besides, you can always implement additional details to make the design genuinely individual.

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Snake Tattoo

Snakes are feared and cherished at the same time. That is why a snake tattoo usually contains a plethora of meanings. Whether you seek out healing powers, emphasize your rebirth, or look for wisdom or protection, snake ink is a great option to consider. Don't forget about the obviously dangerous trait of some snakes.

Sunflower Tattoo

A skillfully drawn sunflower tattoo is your perfect chance to capture the warmth of the summer sun and carry it with you throughout all the seasons. This sunny design was created by popular watercolor tattoo artist Mini Lau, who is known for her delicate minimalistic tattoos. Seek out the light even during the darkest of times!

Uniqueness: The simplest way to personalize your sunflower ink is to play around with the color palette. A pop of your favorite hue will suffice the goal and will add tremendous significance to the piece.

The Art of Music Note Tattoo

Music is one of those universal art languages everyone can speak. Showcase your passion and dedication and etch a personal symphony behind your ear.

Personalization: You can personalize the tattoo with a few notes added to the design. It can be a meaningful song or a perfect melody that you deem your anthem.

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Molecular Harmony

Did it occur to you that a tattoo can hold an intellectual allure and be a conversation starter? Well, this molecular harmony is undoubtedly the case. Don't be afraid to show off your nerdy side and evident passion for science!

The Delicate Leaf

The beauty of nature can be subtle but not less powerful. This gentle leaf tattoo seems to have grasped the essence of nature's delicacy and potency. It may reflect your connection to the natural world as well as it can become your first link to the tattoo world.

Ethereal Petals

Every moment is precious, and this gorgeous tattoo stresses the point perfectly. These ethereal petals are stunning, but it feels like they are on the brink of wilting – just like everything else in this life.

Vibrant Letters Inked with Personality

You don't have to spell it to make it matter. That is precisely what this colorful ink is all about. The vibrant parade of letters holds the meaning only you can decipher. Yet, it is pleasant to look at, and this is a factor not to be treated lightly.

Personalization: While it seems like senseless gibberish to others, you can dedicate each letter to people who matter most to you. Moreover, you can transform the ink into a playful acronym and use it as an individual motto in a time of need.

Small Pointe Shoes

The first thing that comes to mind when you see pointes is the grace and delicacy of the ballet. However, only a few would understand the deeper meaning of the ink. This little behind-the-ear tat emphasizes discipline, dedication, will, and determination.

Uniqueness: You can enhance the tattoo's individual appeal by incorporating meaningful attributes into the design. Think of a memorable date, performance, achievement, or anything else that spurs emotions and memories in you.

Simple Butterfly

It is mind-blowing how powerful simple tattoos are. A butterfly is not only a gorgeous creature, but it is also a potent symbol of metamorphosis and all-encompassing change. You can change the world even if those around you may doubt it.

Delicate Lavender

Sometimes, tranquility is what you need to unwind and relax. If you can run away from the world into the soothing embrace of Mother Nature, let it come to you. A wonderful lavender tattoo will remind you to seek out time to calm down and restore your powers.

Stars Ink

People find inspiration from different sources. However, if you draw yours from the vastness of the night sky, you don't need to wait until the night covers the world – all it takes is to scatter a bunch of tiny stars behind your ear and connect with the divine at any time!

Galactic Rainbow

The beauty of the cosmos comes in the mysterious pull it has over us, but we shouldn't underestimate the exceptional appeal of the celestial palette. This tiny cosmos tattoo reflects all the above statements perfectly.

Blush Bloom

It takes a knowing person to figure out the precise meaning of a graceful and fragile blush bloom. You are the only person entitled!

Tulip Simplicity

Tulips are spring flowers that signify nature's awakening and the eternal promise of new beginnings and warmth. It is an excellent choice for those seeking subtle beauty and potent connotations.

Uniqueness: Just a splash of color will make the tat personal and twice as meaningful. You can take things even further and encode a personal message into the ink by adding a meaningful number represented by the number of petals.

A Single Rose Tattoo

A rose tattoo is often associated with beauty, but roses also symbolize balance and a journey toward harmony and grace. Besides, by placing it behind the ear, you can stress your own path toward growth and quiet introspection.

Personalization: To make the tattoo individual and unique, you can paint the rose in meaningful colors or add tiny symbols that relate to you.

Creative Behind The Ear Tattoo Designs

Credit photo: @mini_tattooer

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Credit photo: @mini_tattooer

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When it comes to behind the ear tattoos designs, the choice is almost limitless. What it is going to be depends on your preferences and the message you want your image to deliver. The most popular cute behind the ear tattoos for females are usually flowers and floral designs. Yet, you are free to incorporate any tat your imagination is capable of. For behind the ear tattoos words are also a common option, as well as dates and symbols. To infuse you with some inspiration, we have put together some of the best ideas for behind the ear tattoos below.

Behind The Ear Tattoo Pain Level

Credit photo: @tattooist_banul

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Credit photo: @tattooist_banul

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Because the skin behind your ears is so thin and sensitive, getting it inked is quite painful. On the pain level scale, it is estimated at 5 points out of 10, which is quite tolerable but still perceptible. You are more likely to feel great discomfort and irritation than actual pain. Yet, what you should be prepared for is that because the tattoo machine is held so close to your ear, you will hear and even feel its buzzing quite vividly.

Besides, the machine will vibrate as the needle approaches the bone behind your ear. So, do behind the ear tattoos hurt? More yes than no. But the good news is it will not last long. Right after the session, the inked place will be sore and swollen. But with proper care, it will get better pretty quickly.

Tips On How to Care For Tattoos Behind The Ear

Credit photo: @mini_tattooer

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Credit photo: @playground_tat2

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Proper aftercare is extremely important for the fast and successful healing of your tattoo behind the ear. So, make sure to follow these essential tips:

1. As soon as the tattoo is done, the tattoo artist places a bandage or plastic wrap over it to protect the wound. Do not remove it until the tattooist allows you to do so. Depending on the design of behind the ear tattoos women may sometimes have to wait a little longer for them to heal.
2. After taking the wrap off, you should clean your tattoo with water and a mild soap. Make sure it does not contain fragrance or alcohol. Pat dry the inked area with a paper towel. Avoid rubbing it at all costs.
3. Use a tad of the tattoo aftercare balm or lotion on your tattoo.
4. Wash the inked area and apply the ointment twice a day.
5. If your tattoo is peeling or scabbing, do not pick at it.
6. Keep your hair products away from the wound to avoid irritation.
7. Allow the tattoo for 2-4 weeks to heal completely before you can go swimming or sunbathing.

An Important Detail Regarding Behind The Ear Tattoos

Credit photo: @tattooist_banul

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Credit photo: @mini_tattooer

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Tattoo artists say that tattoos behind the ears are more likely to fade than tattoos in other areas, adding that the tender and thin skin there has less pores to 'grab' the ink.

This means that ear tattoos could need to be touched up, especially if they are made with color ink. Tattoo artists advise waiting a few months for the tattoo to fully integrate with your skin before getting it refreshed, and many artists will willingly make you a free touch-up if necessary.

How Much Does The Ear Tattoo Cost?

Although the cost of a behind the ear tattoo varies considerably depending on what you want, it often ranges between $100 and $250. The cost is usually determined by how long it takes your artist to create and finish the tattoo.

Now you know everything about tattoos behind the ear to venture out for a new inked image. As they are so tiny and subtle, you will be able to easily disguise them if you change your mind later. But something tells us you will not, as these delicate and cute tattoos cannot leave anyone indifferent.

FAQ: Behind the Ear Tattoos