21 Small Ear Tattoos for Minimalists — Tiny Ear Tattoo Ideas

Though the idea of having a tattoo needle digging into the fragile skin of your ear may sound scary and painful, ear tattoos can be beautiful and delicate. (Bonus: They’re easily hidden, in case tattoos are a no-go in your home or workplace.) The possibilities aren’t completely limitless, but despite its tiny size, the ear does offer a few locations for art, including the lobe, helix, and tragus area. 

The preparation and aftercare for ear tattoos are pretty similar to that of other placements, so if you’ve gotten a tattoo before, this information may not be new. If it’s your first time, there are a few easy ways to prepare for your appointment. 

Ahead of the big day, getting enough sleep, food, and water is really all you need to do, according to Ann Arbor, Michigan-based tattoo artist Carrie Metz-Caporusso, who is a pro at creating tiny tattoos. “It’s always important to get a good night’s sleep, stay well hydrated — I think this is one of the most important ones — and eat a good meal,” she says. Without doing those things, you run the risk of nausea and overall irritability. Who wants to be sleep-deprived, thirsty, or hungry during such an intricate procedure?

After the appointment, don’t be alarmed if your ear feels warm or looks red, as that’s totally normal, according to Vancouver-based tattoo artist Denyse Labarca. Like all new tattoos, you have to keep the area well-moisturized and protected from the sun. Metz-Caporusso says you don’t need anything super fancy for aftercare, just a “simple non-scented and dye-free lotion.” WE have plenty of tattoo artist- and dermatologist-recommended product for you to choose from here.

However, there are certain ingredients and products that should be avoided during the aftercare process.  “For aftercare, I tell all my clients to avoid letting shampooing or soap run directly on their ear tattoo for the first one to two days after receiving their tattoo. The same going for spraying or applying hair products as well in that time frame,” Labarca explains. “After the ear tattoo is healed, you can continue using all soaps and hair products as usual!”

Get all the inspiration you need for your next ink appointment with one of these super cute ear tattoos.

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