In January 2022, I ventured to a now-closed Brooklyn studio, excited to get a tattoo that promised to fade away after a few months. The concept was simple: a “made-to-fade” tattoo, advertised to last between nine and 15 months. Joshua Sakhai, founder of Ephemeral Tattoo, had a compelling backstory for the innovation—he wanted to create body art that was both meaningful and temporary, allowing him to be buried in a Jewish cemetery where tattoos are generally forbidden. He shared this story with me, alongside photos showing how the ink transitioned from jet black to nearly invisible. Enthralled by the idea, I decided to go ahead with it.
The design was a simple line-drawn rose on my left bicep, intended to symbolize impermanence through wisps of smoke. Fast forward three years and two months, and that tattoo is still very much visible, though the black has faded to a bluish hue, akin to the veins on my wrists.
The ink has proven more resilient than anticipated, mirroring the shifting claims of Ephemeral Tattoo. Initially, the company stated that their tattoos would fade in nine to 15 months. However, in February 2023, CEO Jeff Liu adjusted the timeframe to up to three years. Yet, even now, my tattoo remains clearly visible. And I’m not alone in my experience. The online community r/EphemeralTattoos boasts nearly 700 members, many of whom share their frustrations over tattoos that refuse to fade.
Some customers, like beauty editor Jennifer Sullivan, remain skeptical of the product. Sullivan got a mandala tattoo on her ankle in July 2021. After more than three years, the tattoo is still partially visible. Others, however, like Ama Kwarteng, a writer and former beauty director, were lucky enough to see their tattoos fade away after three years, though it took longer than expected.
Ephemeral Tattoo’s technology is designed to work like dental sutures that dissolve in the mouth. According to Liu, the polymers used in the ink degrade when exposed to water. Dermatologist Dhaval G. Bhanusali, who consults for the brand, explains that tattoo placement affects the fading process. Areas like the arms and legs, which have slower healing processes due to limited blood flow, tend to retain ink longer. In contrast, tattoos on areas like the hip may fade more quickly, as demonstrated by Kwarteng’s experience.
Ephemeral’s stance on fade times has also evolved. In response to customer feedback, the brand revised its claims, acknowledging that generalized fade times could lead to confusion. Liu admits, “With hindsight, we have a much deeper understanding of variability.” Ephemeral Tattoo, which once had 20,000 customers before closing its studios, now offers refunds to those whose tattoos don’t fade within three years. However, since the ink is now sold wholesale, customers who get tattoos at unaffiliated studios have no recourse if their ink persists beyond three years.
Unlike traditional tattoos, which can be removed with laser treatment, Ephemeral tattoos don’t respond to the same removal process. Liu explains that the materials used in Ephemeral tattoos break down in water, not heat, making laser removal ineffective.
For me, the tattoo has become a conversation piece among friends, who jokingly comment on its “fading” during our weekly yoga sessions. Though I have other tattoos with deep personal meaning, this one was less carefully considered. If I had known my Ephemeral tattoo would last this long, I might have chosen a more thoughtful design or placed it in a less visible spot.
Reflecting on the experience, I don’t know if I regret it. Three years ago, I was excited to try something new, aware of the risks, and motivated by the novelty of the concept. Now, however, I wish I had been more discerning. Still, if my experience with a tattoo that never fades helps cancer patients one day avoid permanent radiation tattoos, then perhaps it will all be worth it.
Ephemeral has developed a version of their ink for medical use, called FadeMark, designed to assist cancer patients who receive radiation treatment. This new product, already in use at several clinics, could offer patients a way to avoid permanent marks while still ensuring precise treatment. Early studies, like those from Henry Ford Health, show promise, and the hope is that this technology could reduce both the emotional and financial burden of permanent tattoos for radiation therapy.
As I trace the lines of my own Ephemeral tattoo, I’m reminded of how fleeting moments can shape us, even if the things we try to let go of don’t always disappear as expected.
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