Head Tattoos are becoming trendy nowadays, not for only men but also for women. But head crafting is mostly famous in men compared to women. When you decide to get ahead tattoo, then you also have to prepare yourself for bearing pain during crafting. Getting ahead tattoo is a very painful task. Head tattoos are a very good option for those men who ever want to shave their hair and want a hair-free head. Before getting ahead tattoo you should follow these 5 steps which I will describe below.
Tips for Head Tattoos;
If you will follow these 5 tips, you will get a perfect head tattoo. No matter if you are inking your head the first time or already familiar with the art tattoo world. The tips for head tattoos are as follow;
- Select the Tattoo Artist very carefully
The first thing is to make sure that your tattoo artist has a tattoo-making license. First, ask your tattoo artist to show his license in front of you or if he didn’t have a license then you have the right to ask him for a license. Only go for experienced tattoo artists, before starting the head tattoos procedure check his old head crafting pictures or meet a person who crafted head tattoos from him. The skin of your scalp is quite thin and has more chance for bleeding, so give your scalp for tattoo crafting to that person who is fully expert for this work. Read more about A complete guide about hairline tattoos.
- Don’t choose your tattoo sketch in a hurry
Before getting hair tattoos think very carefully and give some time yourself for choosing the best and perfect tattoos for your head. Because permanent tattoos are not undone fully so it’s better for you to take some time before tattoo crafting. Check your tattoos again and again and also consult with your tattoo artist, until the design sketch perfectly fitted to your head.
- Prepare yourself for tolerating head tattoos pain
Tattooing is a painful task because the artist piercing your skin with a blare needle covers it with ink. So what do you think is it painful or not? There is no scientific proof available that levels of pain of each body part vary. But people believe that getting head tattoos are more painful than tattooing compared to body parts.
Reducing the pain of head tattooing is to prepare yourself mentally and physically to tolerate the pain. People who got head tattoos told that the sound of gun machines is quite loud, so take ear-pods and start to listen to your favorite song or beats, and it will help you to bring your focus on songs, not on tattooing pain of gun noise. If possible then take a painkiller with you, if your tattoo is a larger or complex one that is going to take a long time so it’s better to take medicine and some fruits or snacks with you.
- Shave your scalp before getting head tattoos
Don’t shave your scalp with a razor, many people make this mistake. Nicks and cuts can appear on your scalp if you are not an experienced bald man. These cuts can create complications while getting head tattoos. First, you will automatically get shaved scalp when you will go to your tattoo artist, he will shave your head with a disposable razor. Secondly, you can use a user-friendly & do-it-yourself electric head shaver because it is a very easy and safe method for head shaving,
- How to take care of fresh head tattoos?
Tattoo healing is the same as other healing injuries. Getting a tattoo means wounding the area that gets inked. Just imagine your skin is piercing with sharp needles, it leaves your skin wounded. How your skin healed automatically your head wounds will also heal. Every wound takes time for healing.
Don’t use ointment or antiseptic on your head tattoos because your head is already sterilized before getting a tattoo. Wound itching is a healing sign, when your head gets itched it’s a good sign and it indicated that your wounds are healing. Once your scalp gets itched then it’s important to keep your scalp moisturized. As much as possible try not to scratch or scrub even though you might die to do it.
Head tattoo designs suggestions:
Many head tattoos designs are available nowadays. I will tell you about a few best head tattoo designs, which are as follow;
- Tribal head tattoo designs
- Geometric head tattoo designs
- Viking head tattoo designs
- Dot-work head tattoo designs
- Spooky head tattoo designs
- Small and medium-sized head tattoo designs
- Wild animal head tattoo designs
- Side head tattoos designs
- Fantasy head tattoo designs
- Web-based head tattoo designs
- Flowers head tattoo designs
- Human face side head tattoo designs
- Text writing head tattoo designs
Head Tattoo Placement and Design Ideas
| Placement | What to know |
|---|---|
| Side of the head | Easy to hide with longer hair; popular for first head tattoos |
| Back of the head | Good for larger designs; easy to cover with hair |
| Full head | Bold choice; needs a shaved head and a lot of time |
| Behind the ear | Good for small designs; less painful than the scalp |
| Scalp top | Very visible; hard to hide; high pain level |
Head tattoos are becoming trendy nowadays, not only for men but also for women. But head crafting is mostly famous in men compared to women. When you decide to get a head tattoo, you also have to prepare yourself for bearing pain during crafting. Getting a head tattoo is a very painful task. Head tattoos are a very good option for those men who ever want to shave their hair and want a hair-free head. There are many design options. Tribal head tattoo designs are bold and black. They use thick lines and sharp shapes. Geometric head tattoo designs use shapes like triangles and circles. They look neat and modern. Viking head tattoo designs use knots and runes. They are popular with men. Dot-work head tattoo designs use small dots to make a picture. They look soft and detailed. Spooky head tattoo designs use skulls and dark images. They are for people who like horror art. Small and medium-sized head tattoo designs are good for a first tattoo. Wild animal head tattoo designs use lions, wolves, and eagles. They are a sign of strength. Side head tattoos designs are placed on the side of the head. They are easy to hide with hair. Fantasy head tattoo designs use dragons and magical images. Web-based head tattoo designs use spider webs and dark art. Flowers head tattoo designs are soft and pretty. They are popular with women. Human face side head tattoo designs use a portrait or a face. Text writing head tattoo designs use words or quotes. Choose a design that means something to you. A tattoo is permanent. You will see it every day.
Cost, Pain, and Work Life: What to Know Before a Head Tattoo
Head tattoos are among the most painful tattoos. The skin on the scalp is thin. There is little fat under it. The bone is close to the skin. The sound of the tattoo machine is also loud. It is close to your ears. Bring ear plugs. Listen to your favourite music. This helps you focus on the songs, not the pain. If possible, take a painkiller with you. If your tattoo is large or complex, it will take a long time. Take medicine and some fruits or snacks with you. Eat well before your session. Drink water. Do not drink alcohol before a tattoo. Alcohol thins the blood. It makes you bleed more. The cost depends on the size and the artist. A small head tattoo costs less. A full head tattoo costs much more. It may need more than one session. Ask for the price before you start. Think about your job. Head tattoos are very visible. Some jobs do not allow visible tattoos. If you work in an office, a school, or a hospital, check the rules first. If you are not sure, choose a place you can hide with hair. Think about your hair. If you want to grow your hair back, the tattoo will be hidden. If you shave your head, it will show. Talk to your artist about fading. Tattoos on the scalp can fade faster. The sun and hair products can fade the ink. You may need a touch-up in a few years. A touch-up is a small session to fix faded ink. It costs less than the first session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are head tattoos painful?
Yes. Head tattoos are among the most painful tattoos. The skin on the scalp is thin and the bone is close to the skin. The sound of the machine is also loud because it is close to your ears.
How do I choose a head tattoo artist?
Make sure your tattoo artist has a tattoo-making licence. Ask to see it. Look at their old head tattoo pictures. Meet a person who got a head tattoo from them. Choose an artist who is fully expert in this work.
Should I shave my scalp before a head tattoo?
Yes. Shave your scalp with a clipper, not a razor. A razor can cause nicks and cuts on your skin. The artist will also shave the area before they start.
How do I care for a fresh head tattoo?
Keep it clean. Wash it with mild soap and water. Do not use ointment or antiseptic unless your artist tells you to. Do not scratch it. Keep it out of the sun while it heals. If the skin becomes very red, swollen, or painful, see a doctor.
Can I hide a head tattoo?
Yes. A tattoo on the side or back of the head can be hidden with longer hair. A full head tattoo is hard to hide. Think about your job rules before you get a very visible tattoo.
Disclaimer: This guide gives general information about head tattoos. Prices, pain, and healing times differ by person and artist. Always choose a licensed tattoo artist and follow their aftercare advice. If the skin becomes very red, swollen, or painful, see a doctor.
Last Updated: 6 November 2026