Behind the Ear Tattoo Ideas for Women and Men: Pain, Healing and Tips

Behind the ear tattoos are small, stylish and easy to show off or hide. Tuck your hair back and they are on display. Let it down and they disappear. That flexibility has made the spot one of the most popular placements for a small tattoo, for both women and men. Here are behind the ear tattoo ideas for both.

Here are behind the ear tattoo ideas, what to expect in terms of pain and healing, and tips for making a small design last.

Behind the ear tattoo ideas for women

• A tiny flower or sprig, such as lavender, a rose or a birth month flower, following the curve of the ear.
• Stars or a crescent moon, alone or in a small cluster.
• A small butterfly for change and freedom.
• Musical notes for music lovers.
• A heart outline or tiny initial.
• A small bird or swallow in flight.
• A semicolon, a symbol of mental health awareness. Read about the meaning of semicolon tattoos.

Behind the ear tattoo ideas for men

• A small cross or religious symbol.
• A compass rose or minimal arrow.
• Geometric shapes such as triangles, lines or dots.
• A single word or date in bold, simple lettering.
• A small wing or feather.
• Tribal or blackwork linework that follows the bone behind the ear toward the neck.

For more small designs, see our lists of first tattoo ideas for women and first tattoo ideas for men.

Designs that follow the ear

The most flattering behind the ear tattoos work with the curve of the ear rather than sitting square on the skin. Vines that climb upward, a line of small stars or a flower whose stem follows the hairline all look natural. Ask your artist to place the stencil while your head is in a natural position, and check it in a mirror from several angles.

Does a behind the ear tattoo hurt?

Most people describe the pain as moderate. The skin is thin and lies close to the bone behind the ear, so you may feel more vibration than on a fleshy area like the upper arm, and the buzzing sound of the machine is very close. The good news is that designs here are small, so the session is usually over quickly. Our guide to tattoo pain by body part compares placements.

Healing a behind the ear tattoo

This spot has a few specific aftercare challenges:

• Hair: keep long hair tied back and away from the tattoo, and avoid hair products running over it.
• Glasses and masks: the arms of glasses and mask straps can rub. Wear contact lenses or adjust how your glasses sit if you can.
• Pillows: try to sleep on the other side for the first few nights. See how to sleep with a new tattoo.
• Phones and headphones: keep them clean and avoid pressing them against the healing tattoo.
• Shampoo and dye: rinse carefully, and do not colour your hair until the tattoo has healed.

Most small behind the ear tattoos heal on the surface within two to three weeks. Our healing timeline explains each stage.

Do behind the ear tattoos fade?

Tiny, very fine designs anywhere on the body can soften and blur over time, and friction from hair, glasses and pillows does not help. Choose a design with enough space between the lines, avoid microscopic detail, and protect it from the sun once healed. Read how fine line tattoos age for more.

Will it affect work?

Behind the ear tattoos are easy to hide with hair, which is part of their appeal. Visibility with short hair varies. Attitudes to visible tattoos at work have changed a lot, as we explain in can tattoos stop you getting a job.

Other small placements to consider

If you like the idea of a subtle tattoo, consider the inner wrist, ankle, collarbone or the back of the neck. Our guide to tattoo placement names shows every popular spot.