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

2. Mandala Forehead Tattoo Art

3. Moon Tattoos

4. Ornamental Tattoo Ideas

5. Simple Tattoo Designs

6. Barbed Wire Forehead Tattoos

7. Christian Themed Tattoos

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.