Today it seems that all areas of the body have been tattooed, and the possibilities are ever wider.
But when it comes to puncturing, it is necessary to know that the skin varies a lot depending on the area, and this directly affects the techniques used for each type of tattoo in particular.
Ear tattoos usually look great as long as they are well-made.
This part of the body is more sensitive and exposed than others, which is why it is necessary to pay attention to some points.
Some people believe that these tattoos are more easily erased than others, and others think just the opposite. Many debates arise when dealing with them, and that is why we will analyze it in depth here.
Characteristics of ear tattoos
The ear has parts that differ from each other and will have extremely diverse characteristics. The visible part is what we wrongly call the ear, but its real name is the pinna, and it works like a kind of fingerprint since each one is different in each person.
On average, it is usually estimated that the diameter of an adult is approximately 59 mm until the age of 60, and then the lobe grows from year to year.
As cartilage, the type of skin that covers this area differs from others, and it’s much thinner than the rest of the body.
Let's remember that there are three main layers in the skin: the epidermis, which is the most superficial layer, then the dermis and, finally, the hypodermis; the thickness will always depend on the area and its size.
For tattoos on the ear, we must bear in mind that the thinner the skin, the more difficult it will be to tattoo it, since the ink must always be injected into the dermis. Control the exit of the needle and avoid puncturing with too much force.
Designs
The equation is usually simple, a small space, a small tattoo. Due to its shape, the ear does not allow covering large or very elaborate designs. But undoubtedly, there is a great imagination set in motion.
In general, we could say that this type of tattoo is often small and rather simple.
Here the Minimalist or Fine-Line type tattoos can stand out, since their simplicity in the strokes makes them excellent for these small and irregular areas.
The area most likely to be tattooed is within the auditory pavilion, but there are tattoos that even extend to other parts, such as behind the ear or reaching the head.
Do ear tattoo hurt?
Proposing a rule regarding the pain threshold is not an easy task, since this will always depend on each person and their tolerance. But, as we mentioned in the article Clearing doubts, where does it hurt more to get a tattoo? There are areas that are much more sensitive than others.
Ears can be classified within the most painful areas, and this is because as it is pure cartilage with many nerve endings, the chances of having a hard time are obvious.
Areas where the skin is very thin and in close contact, whether with bone or cartilage, are always going to be prone to suffer severe pain.
A pro of this is that when dealing with tattoos that are not very large or elaborate, the session time and the pain are going to last shorter. Keep in mind that this always depends on the client.
Do they easily fade away?
It is very common to hear that this type of tattoo will last less than others. And this is because the ear is one of the most exposed parts of the body and most prone to frequent skin changes.
In the first days, after tattooing, you may not notice major differences, but after 15 days, it is likely that you will notice significant changes in the pigmentation of the inks. There are those who retouch it without achieving better results for a long time.
This can be due to many factors, poor quality ink, incorrect needles or incorrect punctures.
As happens with other equally exposed parts of the body, such as fingers and hands in general, it is very difficult to guarantee its durability over time in a good way.
As we mentioned at the beginning, the errors here can arise both from making very superficial passes and, on the contrary, from puncturing excessively, generating serious injuries and a terrible blowout.
Practice is necessary for this, and knowing that the durability of these tattoos in general is usually lower than in others.
Tips
As with any tattoo you make, it goes without saying that hygiene is fundamental. And especially in this area, the outer part of the ear. Besides, it is extremely sensitive.
It is essential to be able to control all the machinery well and take care of your client.
If you tattoo with coil machines, remember that the sound is quite overwhelming and for some, it can be really annoying. If you have the possibility, making this type of tattoo with quieter machines can be of great help.
On the other hand, when it comes to guaranteeing the durability of the tattoo, as with any other, good aftercare is essential. We always insist on the use of sunscreen, and we know that many times putting it on the ears is overlooked.
Let your clients know that for this type of tattoo, the regular use of sunscreen is necessary to make it last longer.
In this, both at the time of tattooing and in the healing process, the correct disinfection and use of ointments will help the tattoo to better resist the passage of time.
Are ear tattoos a good idea?
The tattoo world is expanding its limits more and more, and, as we said at the beginning, there can be a tattoo practically where there is skin.
When addressing them, there are several details to consider, and, as we always say, practice makes perfect.
They are excellent for people looking for more discreet or delicate tattoos. They are also for those eager to join them with other designs, such as a continuation of head, face, or neck tattoos.
For all willing to encourage themselves to new designs, tattoos on the ears are ideal.
What do you think about this? Are you willing to tattoo them?