27 Ankle Tattoo Design Ideas For 2024

Whether you’re new to the tattoo game or an old timer, a perfectly placed ankle inking is nine minutes of pain worth bearing. Back in the 1990s, every celebrity had a lower-leg ‘tatt, but the trend seemingly dropped off. Now everyone and their mum have a teeny weeny, ultra-delicate inner bicep ink-job, it’s worth thinking below the calf.

Consider this: the ankle is rarely seen, never the focal point of attention (unless you want to make it) and yet the skin doesn’t age and sag there when you get older i.e. it’s ideal. Lucky for us bare-ankled fools, Instagram is awash with inspiration, like actual tidal waves of cool girls with ace inkings. Fineline specialist Wiktoria Folga at esthete__studio said, 'people love to get florals and sparkles especially in the fineline style as they’re super dainty and easy to hide. I’ve found a lot of people tend to go for their ankle as a first tattoo for the same reason, it's a perfect way to start the tattoo journey!'

Just be warned, you’ll want to be bare legged from here on out.

We caught up with the master pin prickers at famed Frith Street Tattoo in London to get the low-down on everything you need to know about ankle tattoos:

How painful are ankle tattoos?

'They said, 'a'Ankle tattoos aren't especially more painful that anywhere else on the body. The sensation is best described as a sharp scratch', said Frith Street.

Can you use an ankle tattoo to cover a scar?

As with anywhere else on the body tattoos on the ankle can cover scars but its best to seek advice from your tattooist. They advised that scars should be completely healed and settled (which in some cases may take a year or more) before any tattoo is mad. 'Scar tissue is more delicate than the rest of your skin so must be treated with care, and a design that bears this in mind is best. The line quality over the scar may differ from the rest of the tattoo, so something a little bolder often works better.'

What do you do when your ankle tattoo starts scabbing?

Frith Street Tattoo said, all tattoos must be kept clean and dry. They added, 'we advise customers to wash them twice a day with hot water and a plain soap for the first few days and then once a day when you shower. Washing them is good, but you want to avoid soaking healing tattoos as this can cause the scab to soften and lift off before it is ready.' Even if you're tempted the team said, 'don't pick the scab as this can cause a delay in healing and cause patchy colour and be sure not to wear clothing or shoes that rub on the tattoo. You don't need any fancy creams or tattoo aftercare; the body heals the tattoo, not creams. If you keep it clean and dry, you allow your body to heal'.

Any ankle can tattoo tips for a pinprick newbie?

Take your time and find a tattooer with a strong portfolio and then listen to their advice. Frith Street Tattoo said, 'the skin on the heel and towards the sole of the foot is hard and tough and doesn't hold a clean line so well, so listen to your tattooers advice about the best placement and size. Simple designs work best if you want something small as tattoos soften as they get older so how they age needs to be considered in the initial application'.

Say I hate it, how hard is it to remove an ankle tattoo?

Frith Street Tattoo advised that if you aren't 100% sure about getting a tattoo or your design, then don't do it! 'Tattoos aren't for everyone, and that's ok. But if you want it and have found a good tattooer and taken their advice go for it. Laser removal is pretty good these days but will always leave some kind of mark even if faint, so it's best used to lighten a design to cover it up more easily'.

Ok, so my pain threshold isn’t that high, can I get my ankle tattoo covered up with a new design?

Cover ups can be done dependent on the original design, but it's a small space which can make it very tricky. So if in doubt hold off getting something. A tattoo is for life, that's part of the appeal.

Renee Washington, Grazia's Digital Fashion and Beauty Assistant, lives online. With a penchant for wispy lashes and streetwear, she writes about the worlds of fashion and beauty from the viewpoint of the modern fashion girlie.