23 Self-Love Tattoo Ideas

Part self-help admonition, part badge of courage, self-love tattoos are gathered by collectors to show, or to remind us, that loving yourself is just as important as loving someone else.

Self-love tattoos are also popular symbolic tattoos for those who have suffered the ongoing effects of depression and anxiety. 

A self-love tattoo is meant to remind you that taking care of yourself, can be at times, the most important thing you have to do, even when it seems like a difficult task.

While a unisex tattoo choice, in theory, self-love tattoos are overwhelmingly chosen by female collectors. 

Simple reminders, such as the term  ‘love yourself,’ combine with more traditional tattoo imagery–flowers, rose, hearts–to create warm positive tattoos for women.

Men have a tendency to get longer quotes as affirmations, ranging from pop culture references to quotes from athletes, famous people, and religious texts.

There are quite a few varieties of self-love tattoos, that either involve quotes and affirmations in combination with traditionally popular tattoo ideas. 

These include:

• Love yourself, or self-love inked on the body
• Tattoos incorporating the outline of a body or silhouette
• Symbols of love such as flowers, hearts, and roses

The idea of self-love, and other similar positive affirmations, are one of the fastest-growing subgenres in the tattoo industry.

For the most part, self-love tattoos are delicate and quite simple to execute. A crisp linework self-love tattoo may cost as little as $150.

Your per hour price is greater ($200+) for more complex pieces where specialists in a particular style–think single needle, stick and poke, or realistic color–might be employed. They take more time, require more skill, and more preparation.

Always have a good idea of what the price will be when you make a deposit or sit in the chair, and allow at least 15% of your total budget as a tip.