While tattooing has become more popular than ever, Face Tattoos remain rather niche. This Tattoo style is usually saved for the truly bold and fearless who have a true love for the Tattooing art form.
While they may be desired by many, Face Tattoos pose a lot of difficulty when it comes to seeking employment in many fields.
This has led to negative stereotypes and fear among many who wish to have these types of tattoos, making it a decision that requires careful consideration and a strong personal commitment to artistic expression, regardless of societal norms.
Do Face Tattoos Hurt
Before we get started, perhaps you’re wondering if face tattoos hurt before committing to one.
Face Tattoos are considered quite painful. This is due to the skin around the skull being thinner and more sensitive than that of many other parts of the body.
The face also has a higher density of nerve endings, which means the pain receptors are more concentrated.
In areas such as the forehead, temples, and cheeks, the bone lies just beneath the skin with little to no fat padding.
During the tattooing process, the tattoo needle penetrates these areas, making it feel more intense because it’s closer to the bone, causing a sharper, more acute pain.
Other highly sensitive areas, such as the lips and around the eyes, are also going to be extremely painful and difficult to get tattooed due to their delicate nature.
Face Tattoo Designs
Now that we know a little about Face Tattoo pain levels let’s take a look at some of the best Face Designs to get you inspired.
1. Tear Drop Tattoo On Face
The Tear Drop Tattoo has a notorious connotation, often associated as a prison tattoo, murders, and other criminal activity.
However, a Tear Drop Tattoo can also be associated with grief and the loss of a loved one, tattooed in honor of the deceased.
2. Dragon Tattoo On Face
Dragon Tattoos are one of the world's most popular Tattoo Designs, associated with wisdom, strength, power, nobility, freedom, and the aspect Yang from the Chinese philosophy Yin-Yang.
Your Dragon Tattoo's meaning can vary based on its color also, with the most popular Dragon colors being Red, Blue, Green, Black, White, and Yellow, which you can check out their meanings through our Dragon Tattoo Gallery.
3. Phoenix Tattoo On Face
Phoenix Tattoos are associated with themes of rebirth, renewal, and resilience.
This is due to the Phoenix's ability to rise from its own ashes to begin life anew when close to its death.
This Tattoo Style symbolizes how you’ve been through a tough period in your life, yet you still persevered and came out the other side stronger than ever.
4. Feather Tattoo On Face
Feather tattoos can have many different meanings, depending on the type of feather and its placement on the body.
These Tattoos can symbolize freedom like a bird in flight, strength to achieve a more meaningful life, liberty, and triumph.
5. Cloud Tattoo
Cloud Tattoos, much like Feather Tattoos, can symbolize freedom as a cloud drifts peacefully through the skies.
However, they can also symbolize themes of inner peace, compassion, freedom, and harmony.
They can also represent a dreamy aesthetic or a touch of serenity, as watching clouds can be calming and relaxing.
6. Swallow Tattoo On Face
Swallow Tattoos have a deep connection with sailors.
During their expeditions, sailors would tattoo themselves with a Sparrow Tattoo after they had reached 5,000 nautical miles.
These Tattoo Designs not only represented their journeys but were also a symbol of homecoming and in honor of loved ones, as Swallows are monogamous birds sticking with one partner for their life until one passes away.
7. Snake Tattoo On Face
Despite their often-feared reputation, Snake Tattoos come with a lot of positive symbolism.
These tattoos can symbolize rebirth, transformation, or renewal, calling to mind the way a snake sheds its skin as it grows and changes.
Snake Tattoos can also symbolize themes of forbidden knowledge due to their association with the Garden of Eden tale.
8. Anchor Tattoo On Face
Anchor Tattoos are one of the quintessential Sailor Tattoos associated with their professions and long voyages.
However, you do not necessarily need to be a sailor to get an Anchor Tattoo to enjoy its rich symbolism.
These tattoos also represent stability, hope, security, and strong ties.
9. Tribal Face Tattoo
Tribal Tattoos are the oldest tattooing art form, dating back thousands of years.
They were used to identify members of certain tribes and document their achievements and personal growth.
This amazing Tribal Tattoo is from the Maori Tribe of New Zealand.
10. Fish Tattoo On The Face
Fish Tattoos can come with a lot of meanings depending on which fish you choose to adorn yourself with.
This amazing Viking/Celtic Tattoo is off a pike on the top of the head and a perch near the neck.
11. Moth Tattoo On Face
If you are a lover of Moth or Butterfly Tattoos then why not try out one for the face?
This Moth Tattoo is of the Death's-head hawkmoth, a species of Moth you might be familiar with if you have ever seen the film, ‘The Silence of the Lambs.’
12. Creepy Face Tattoo
For something a little different, why not try a Creepy Face Tattoo?
This design features a skull and some sort of parasitic monster growing its tendrils all over the wearer's face.
13. Traditional Tattoo On Face Idea
Traditional Tattoos also known as Old School Tattoos, are a Tattooing style that was popularized by the late Sailor Jerry Collins.
This style is known for its bold lines, limited color palette, simplistic art style, and iconic symbols and motifs.
This lovely Traditional Tattoo is of a jaguar.
14. Prayer Tattoo
If you’re really looking to show off your Christian faith, consider getting yourself a Prayer Tattoo.
These tattoos are gotten by those who believe that tattoos depicting prayers or religious symbols can offer protection, guidance, or strength or serve as a memorial for loved ones who have passed away.
15. Death Tattoo
A Death Tattoo can be a reminder of mortality, the beauty of life, and the importance of memory.
They can also represent the cycles of life and death, love and loss, and the human spirit's endurance.
This spooky Death Tattoo is by panikk_tatt, so check out his page for even more cool and spooky designs.
16. Anarchy Face Tattoo
The anarchy symbol is associated with the anarchist movement, which has been established in global youth culture since the 1970s.
The anarchy symbol is defined not as chaos and disorder but as a society seeking to establish a stateless, cooperative society without centralized authority.
17. Flower Face Tattoo
Flower Tattoos, like Fish Tattoos, have a lot of symbolism thanks to the thousands of species available.
This lovely piece has a few different species of flowers, all of which can contain different symbolic meanings or just because they look nice.
18. Dagger Face Tattoo
Dagger Tattoos are often tattooed as symbols of protection and defense against harm.
They represent strength and the ability to protect oneself or others, but can also symbolize betrayal, deceit, or danger.
19. Flame Face Tattoo
If you’re looking to turn up the heat when it comes to your Face Tattoo, then try out a Fire Tattoo.
Fire Tattoos can have a lot of symbolism, including passion, energy, commemoration, and transformation.
This Fire Tattoo is actually a Yokai Tattoo of a Furaribi.
This Yokai appears in Japanese classical yokai pictures and is theorized to be the incarnations of fire that are the result of the deceased who were not given a memorial and thus wandered the present world as spirits.
20. Spider Tattoo On Face
Spider Tattoos, thanks to their intricate and delicately constructed webs, can symbolize creativity and artistic expression.
Also, in the Indian Book of Wisdom, ‘The Upanishads,’ spiders are seen as beings who weave reality itself, giving them the symbolism of wisdom and knowledge.
21. Crescent Moon Tattoo
Moon Tattoos can have different meanings depending on the type of moon.
For example, a crescent moon can symbolize change, with waxing moons representing expansion and innovation and waning moons representing release and introspection.
Moon Tattoos can also represent the passage of time, dreams, and aspirations and serve as a reminder to pursue what's in one's heart.
22. Crow Tattoo
Crow Tattoos are often associated with wisdom, mystery, magic, transformation, and death.
They also symbolize intelligence, resourcefulness, and adaptability.
Pair your Crow Tattoo with Viking imagery, such as a Helm of Awe Tattoo to give it an Ancient Norse aesthetic.
23. Rose Tattoo On Face
If you’re really looking to show off your passionate and loving side, then a Rose Tattoo is perfect for you.
Rose Tattoos are linked to themes of love and romance and are associated with Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of love and beauty.
24. Sparkles Face Tattoo
For those of you with a bright and energetic personality, why not get yourself a Sparkle Face Tattoo?
A Sparkle Tattoo can symbolize the magic and effervescence within a person's soul, celebrating achievements, embracing individuality, and embodying hope.
25. Candle Tattoo
Candle tattoos can have many meanings depending on the design and placement, as well as the culture and context.
These Tattoos can represent the ability to illuminate darkness, which can be associated with knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual enlightenment.
Also, in many cultures and religions, a lit flame can symbolize Faith, peace, concentration, and enlightenment.
26. Heart Face Tattoo
Similar to a Rose Tattoo, Love Heart Tattoos can symbolize love, passion, romance, affection, unity, harmony, and commitment.
Sadly, this Heart Face Tattoo is of a broken heart, which can symbolize grief, loss, heartbreak, and the journey to healing.
27. Coffin Tattoo
For something a little more morbid, why not get something like this Coffin Tattoo?
Coffin Tattoos can symbolize life and mortality but also transformation and change in religious beliefs of life after death.
This amazing Face Tattoo by sammy_harding of Stone Cross Tattoo is incredibly done with amazing details of the skulls hauntingly floating within the confines of the coffin.
28. Umbrella Tattoo
Something a little different, here we have an Umbrella Tattoo Design.
While an umbrella may seem like an odd choice for a tattoo unless you’re connecting with the Mary Poppins films, they do, in fact, come with some deep symbolic meanings.
These tattoos can reflect protection and shelter or the joy of facing adversity.
Also, a beach umbrella can symbolize travel and wanderlust or just reflect memories of your days lazing on the beach from one of your favorite holidays.
29. Geometric Face Tattoo
Geometric Tattoos, are characterized by their use of precise, symmetrical shapes and patterns that are often inspired by mathematics and geometry.
These tattoos typically feature bold lines and geometric shapes such as circles, squares, and triangles, as well as intricate patterns.
30. Hand Poke Tattoo On Face
Hand Poke Tattoos also known as stick 'n poke tattoos, are a traditional form of tattooing that doesn't use electricity or tattoo machines.
The ink is applied using a needle attached to a handheld tool, which offers a unique aesthetic and experience that differs from machine tattoos.
31. Axe Tattoo
For those of you with a warrior's spirit, why not go for a Weapon Tattoo such as this Axe Design?
This Tattoo Design of an axe can symbolize strength, survival, bravery, and power.
However, an Axe Tattoo can also symbolize a connection to nature and the outdoors.
32. Vine Face Tattoo
Vine Tattoos are a versatile choice of Tattoo Design. These Tattoos take inspiration from their real-life counterparts' anatomy.
This anatomy allows it to wrap gracefully around limbs and flow across the body, mimicking the natural growth patterns of vines in the wild.
Vine Tattoos have many meanings, including growth, vitality, and connection to nature.
Conclusion
So ends our journey through the fascinating world of Face Tattoo Designs. Remember, a Face Tattoo is a commitment not without consequences, so please be mindful when making your decision of it is right for you.
If Face Tattoos are too risqué, why not instead try out some other locations such as Hand Tattoo designs, Wrist Tattoos, or Shoulder Tattoos.
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