Forehead Tattoo Ideas for Making a Strong Statement

Forehead tattoo ideas have gone from being an ink taboo to a rapidly growing niche in design and application.

Forehead tattoos have increased exponentially over the last 5-10 years, as collectors continue to increase visible body art concepts.

For many contemporary fans, forehead tattoos are a way of expressing body autonomy and the right to look how they wish, spurning previous generations’ aversion to showing off their tattoos on areas such as the forehead, face, hands, and neck.

Common forehead tattoo ideas can be linked to a variety of symbols and applications – from religion and the moon to barbed wire and mandala. Mostly they are etched in simple black ink variations.

The following collection of the top forehead tattoo ideas displays a range of different design choices that may encourage you to get a forehead design of your own.

1. Black Ink Tattoos

Man with intricate black forehead tattoo and multiple facial piercings
Source: @brandon_tattoos via Instagram
Close-up of a forehead tattoo that reads "Sanity" near a closed eye
Source: @liambeetattooed via Instagram
Black spider tattoo on forehead above closed eye
Source: @maikolcito.ttt via Instagram

2. Mandala Forehead Tattoo Art

Woman with an intricate mandala tattoo on the side of her head near her hairline
Source: @nerang_tattoo_mafia_aus via Instagram
Mandala Forehead Tattoo
Source: @qiaslife via Instagram
Mandala tattoo on forehead featuring intricate geometric patterns and floral elements
Source: @abby.tweewilliger via Instagram

3. Moon Tattoos

Intricate moon and dots forehead tattoo on a young woman
Source: @arn_o_ne via Instagram
Individual with a crescent moon and leaf tattoos on their forehead
Source: @rob.ting via Instagram

4. Ornamental Tattoo Ideas

Woman with facial tattoos
Source: @deitytattoo via Instagram
Ornamental Forehead Tattoo
Source: @flossydoestattoos via Instagram
A geometric tattoo design on the forehead near the hairline
Source: @handpoke27 via Instagram

5. Simple Tattoo Designs

Red Chinese letters tattoo on the forehead
Source: @iinkhead646 via Instagram
5 star tattoos on above the eyebrow
Source: @killerrobotsfromouterspace via Instagram
A tattoo of a rose on the side of head
Source: @mcfineart via Instagram

6. Barbed Wire Forehead Tattoos

Man with a barbed wire tattoo across his forehead
Source: @thirteen.sleepless.knights via Instagram
Barbed wire tattoo around hairline
Source: @realarttattoo via Instagram
Thorn or Wire Forehead Tattoo
Source: @reign_in_blood_tattoo via Instagram

7. Christian Themed Tattoos

Thorn Forehead Tattoo - Jesus themed
Source: @yungturk666 via Instagram
Small cross mark tattoo on forehead
Source: @mr.wilsontattoo via Instagram
A man with three cross tattoos on his forehead, one in the center featuring a crucifix
Source: @bureaucratoftheundead via Instagram

Are forehead tattoos becoming more popular?

Yes, forehead tattoos along with other ink in visible areas – the neck, head face, hands, and fingers – are becoming much more popular.

Reasons for this include the younger generations’ comfort with self-expression through body autonomy along with more support for religious and cultural tattoo designs (think of the Maori Ta Moko facial tattoo) being tolerated in society.

Do forehead tattoos last?

Hand tattoos can be tricky affairs to get done in perfection. As with the hands, there are occasions that the ink can drop out, as the skin is so close to the bone. 

There are also different things such as body oils and skincare regimens that can have a negative impact on how long your facial tattoos can last, as they can break down the ink used to create the piece.

Sometimes it will be necessary for you to get a touch up which may cost extra for such a difficult area, so be aware of the risks before committing to such a visible type of self-expression.

Why are forehead tattoos considered jobstoppers?

In the past, tattoos–especially highly visible ones–carried strong associations with criminality and slavery that can still be felt today in different parts of the world.

Because of these ties to criminal elements, in the past employers were unlikely to hire someone with visible tattoos: hence, jobstoppers.

Attitudes are changing, however, a forehead tattoo very well may still disqualify you from more professional settings like offices, board rooms, or customer-facing roles.

Make sure you’re comfortable with getting a facial tattoo and the likely stigma it may entail. 

How much do forehead tattoos cost?

For the very quick, very small simple tattoos a tattoo parlor institutes a shop minimum (anywhere from $50-$200).

By nature of their location and the space available, most forehead and facial tattoo designs would take only an hour or two at most.

More complex work can cost around $200 for an hour from a well-established, skilled professional.

Please also note that some tattooers, especially experienced old school slingers, may not do a facial or forehead tattoo for you.

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