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How do you prepare for an ear tattoo?
Courtesy of Instagram/@j9illustration/@halloweenink/@romahtattoos
Without doing those things, you initiate the risk of nausea and overall irritability.
Who wants to be sleep-deprived, thirsty, or hungry during such an intricate procedure?
Once your artist has set up, it’s finally time for thetattooing.
Pain is subjective, so we can’t promise an ear tattoo won’t hurt.
Vancouver-based tattoo artistDenyse LabarcatellsAllurethat they are not as painful as you may think.
“A lot of my clients fall asleep or say getting their ear tattooed is like a spa treatment.
I have had two clients say it felt ticklish!”
What are the risks and pain level of ear tattoos?
“Anytime the skin is compromised there is potential for infection and inflammation,” she says.
“The process of tattooing is a compromise to the skin.”
A more likely side effect of an ear tattoo is keloidal scarring, especially for folks with darker skin.
She also says anything with cartilage is prone to infection.
What’s the aftercare for ear tattoos?
Like all newtattoos, you have to keep the area well-moisturized andprotected from the sun.
New York City-based artistOcean Gaotypically covers their clients' tattoos with a medical-grade healing bandage, likeSecond Skin.
(If you want more aftercare products, check out these tattoo artist- and dermatologist-recommended oneshere.)
There are certain ingredients and products to steer clear of after your appointment.
The same goes for spraying or applyinghair productsas well in that time frame," Labarca explains.
To better preserve your ink,sunscreenis a must, according to London-based artist Gi, known asSlowpokes.
Dr. Gohara says it should be SPF 30 or higher.
Dotted Stars on the Outer Cartilage
Gi etched this floral dot-work tattoo.
Teeny-tiny dots decorate the cartilage and lobe randomly.
as well as the area in front of the ear, gorgeously accenting the body part.
Upon a closer look, you’ll notice that each leaf is comprised of a grouping of spots.
This style oftattooinggives the finished piece an ombre effect.
It’s an example of how simple, itty-bitty specks can form more intricatebody art.
Starstruck
Dot and fine line work create the tiny stars and diamonds on the scapha.
Gi added more of the dots to lower helix and lobe to create this abstract piece.
Look closely to see the tiny specks that form diamonds and below it.
Just a Dot
Gi hand poked this leafy ink on the scapha of the ear.
If you zoom in closer, you’ll also see the diamond-shaped grouping of dots.
The last part of the ink peeks out from behind the ear before ending about halfway down the neck.
Slim Lines on the Outer Cartilage
This ink is like a tattoo and piercing in one.
Belgium-based tattooistRomahdrew two rings on her client’s upper cartilage area, which mimics a double helix piercing.
She added two more fine lines on the lower part of the helix.
From afar someone may mistake the bold lines and trio of spots right above the tragus for black jewelry.
Each star is different.
Starry Night
Labarca’s dot work on this intricate solar system-themed ink is out of this world.
Her attention to detail despite the small space is amazing.
The simple design complements the two other nearby tattoos, which can almost be mistaken for piercings.
This design, in particular, flows from the helix toward the tragus.
Under the Sea
Tattoo artistJanine Bondbrings the sea to the ear with this blue ombre fish.
The Delaware-artist loves freehand drawing her clients' tattoos.
These simple angled lines extend from the outer ear to the tragus for a futuristic feel.
Creepy Crawlers
Replace your earrings with a tattoo like this itsy-bitsy spider on the ear lobe.
Weldon freehanded this insect to complement an existing spider web tattoo on the upper ear.
Replace it with your favorite animal or another tiny shape you desire.
Here, she created an entire solar system on a tiny ear.
Rays of Dots
This tattoo almost looks like an optical illusion with its expert shading.
The miniature creature looks like it’s swimming peacefully in the ear’s curves.
Breath of Fire
The amount of detail and color packed into this fantasy tattoo is incredible.
The lime green dragon is perfectly perched right on the upper ear and its tail lies alongside the helix.
Straight Into Space
This mini alien head is a quirky but cute ear accessory.
The teeny sparks surrounding the UFO perfectly complete the simple design.
Nature’s Beauty
Incorporate both colorful and black inks together for more vibrancy.
Its gradient effect elevates the little piece of nature.
