Helix Tattoos 101

Tiny tattoos became a hit trend in 2016. People were sporting them behind their ear and on their fingers. In 2017 the tiny tattoo has found a new home- the helix.

Placement

The helix is the outer cartilage of the ear. Because this location is narrow, smaller vertical tattoos are placed here. Helix tattoos have quickly taken the place of helix, cuff, and cartilage piercings. They’re the updated, fresher version of the behind the ear tattoos everyone was getting last year.

Design

Designs for this area are fairly limited just by the size and shape that the ear allows for. Most people opt for small, minimal designs. Flowers are by far the most popular design style but others are opting for dot work, stars, geometrical shapes, wording or paw prints. There is also the option of extending a helix tattoo to other parts of the ear for more room.

Artist

You should always go to a skilled artist for a tattoo but especially for a small one. People often think since it’s smaller they can go cheaper but that’s a mistake. Tiny tattoos are harder than larger pieces since there is no room for error. Getting the right amount of detail in such a tight space takes practice. Make sure to look through artist’s portfolios to make sure they’ve done tiny tattoos before.

Aftercare

Aftercare is extremely important for helix tattoos. The ear has limited blood flow meaning healing will take longer. A helix piercing takes longer than a lobe piercing to heal so expect the same for tattooing. Make sure to follow all of the aftercare advice you’re given. If there are any additional care tips your artist will let you know.

Life Time

Here’s the thing about Helix tattoos- this trend is so new artists can tell you how long they’ll last. All tattoos fade but as the ear gets more sunlight it’s possible these will fade faster. Be warned that ink may bleed as it ages too. The tissue on the ear is thin so the ink doesn’t get held in place as well. Keep this in mind when selecting a design, as you don’t want to end up with a blob.

Pain

Cartilage piercings are some of the most painful so it should be no surprise that helix tattoos are painful too. Piercers are relatively quickly but no matter how small the tattoo is, a helix tattoo won’t be over in a minute. The end result will look cute but just be prepared for the pain.

Conclusion

Helix tattoos have become a trend for a reason- they’re so cool looking. Make sure you find a good artist and do research before hand. If you’re still unsure, helix piercings are always an option as an alternative. Contact us today to get a helix tattoo that you won’t be able to stop Instagraming!