Ephemeral, a company that marketed a made-to-fade tattoo ink, promised customers semi-permanent tattoos that would vanish within 9 to 15 months. However, years after getting their tattoos, some customers are left frustrated with splotchy, semi-faded ink that refuses to fully disappear. The company’s innovative concept, launched in 2014, aimed to provide an alternative to traditional tattoos by offering a fading ink formula. But for many, the ink has not lived up to its promise, leading to disappointment and regret.
A recent survey from Inkbox, a competitor in the semi-permanent tattoo market, revealed that nearly a third of tattooed individuals (28%) experience regret about some aspect of their tattoo, with over two-thirds (68%) regretting the design itself. Ephemeral customers are no exception.
Customer Experiences: Tattoos That Won’t Fade
One Ephemeral customer took to TikTok to share her frustration, stating that her tattoo now looks like a “skin disease.” Another user lamented getting a tattoo of a chicken on a skateboard, which she believed would disappear over time, calling it “the dumbest tattoo ever.”
Sharon Lee, a content creator and influencer, was offered a free Ephemeral tattoo in exchange for a promotional video in 2022. Lee, who already had six permanent tattoos, took the opportunity to try something more visible. In June 2022, she had three butterflies tattooed on her upper arm at Ephemeral’s Los Angeles studio.
In February 2023, Ephemeral extended the maximum fade duration of its tattoos to three years and offered refunds for tattoos that outlasted that period. However, as of today, Lee’s butterfly tattoos have not faded as promised. After attempting laser treatment to remove the tattoos, she was left with large blotches where the ink had been. Ephemeral told USA Today that it does not recommend laser tattoo removal for its ink, and strangers have mistaken the blotches for birthmarks or bruises, even asking her about her safety.
“I don’t regret my hidden tattoos, but I regret this,” says Lee. “I wish I would’ve just gotten an actual tattoo, or just nothing at all. It feels frustrating and scary trying to remedy an Ephemeral tattoo because it’s so new, and you don’t really know what’s going to happen.”
The Company’s Response and Disclaimer
Ephemeral closed its in-person studios in September 2023, but continues to sell its ink to partner artists across the United States, with expansion into India planned for July 2024. The company’s website now includes a disclaimer stating that it is not responsible for “variations including but not limited to fade time, manner of fading, and location of fading over time.”
In response to customer complaints, Ephemeral issued a statement saying that its ink has undergone significant improvements over the years. “With 10 years of ongoing research and development invested, our ink has gone through major improvement cycles,” the company said. “While it doesn’t change any disappointment past customer experiences may have had, the latest Ephemeral ink iterations on the market have greatly reduced the variability customers can expect.”
How Ephemeral’s Fading Ink Works
Ephemeral’s tattoo ink is applied in the same way as traditional tattoos, with the ink deposited under the skin. However, unlike traditional ink, Ephemeral’s formula contains medical-grade, bioabsorbable ingredients that are designed to shrink over time, allowing the body to naturally break down the ink. According to Ephemeral, over 76% of their tattoos fade in under two years with the newest ink formulation.
Other semi-permanent companies, like Inkbox, have a much shorter fade time, with tattoos made to disappear within two weeks. Inkbox’s ink sinks into the top layer of the skin, while Ephemeral’s ink is injected deeper, similar to traditional tattoos, but with the added goal of fading over time.
Growing Discontent and Legal Concerns
On the subreddit r/EphemeralTattoos, hundreds of customers have shared their regret and expressed the desire to take legal action against the company, with some considering a lawsuit. However, Ephemeral’s Terms & Conditions include an arbitration clause, which requires that any disputes be resolved through arbitration rather than in court.
As more customers experience fading tattoos that don’t disappear as expected, the future of Ephemeral’s made-to-fade ink remains uncertain, leaving many to wonder whether the company’s ink will ever live up to its promise.
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