Those "Made to Fade" Tattoo Studios Are Taking a Break

Update: More than two years after the launch of Ephemeral tattoos, the first "made to fade" ink that promises to disappear after nine to 15 months, the company has decided to shift its strategy. At the end of September, it will close all three of its ephemeral tattoo studios located in Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and San Francisco and focus on Radiation Therapy ink, offering the made-to-fade ink to cancer patients.

"It's no secret that retail space is expensive and as a young startup we're highly dependent on what has been an increasingly tight fundraising market, so we've had to assess what makes sense to continue to bring our innovative ink to people around the world," the company said in a statement on Instagram.

If you were interested in getting your own ephemeral tattoo, there's good news: the brand will be selling the fading ink directly to existing tattoo artists and parlors.

Original post: When I told my mom I was getting my first tattoo at 18, some of the only things I can remember about her response were her consistent reminders that "tattoos are forever," and that I should very carefully choose a design that I wouldn't mind seeing on my body years down the line. (After all, getting a piece of ink removed sounds like more of a pain than getting one.) While my mom's spiel is true, there's one company here to remind us that it doesn't always have to be.

Ephemeral is a new brand that specializes in semi-permanent, "made to fade" tattoos that are created using ink that's supposed to fade after nine to 15 months. You can think of them like temporary tattoos, except they don't begin to fade or peel off after just a few days. So, how does it work? We're breaking down all your need-to-know questions about made-to-fade tattoos here.

How Do Ephemeral Tattoos Work?

"Ephemeral tattoos are made with an ink designed by chemical engineers that fades in a year, though results can vary depending upon the individual," the company's CEO Jeffrey Liu tells POPSUGAR. "[They're] made from medical grade, bioabsorbable, and biocompatible polymers, with carefully chosen high-quality pigments that are routinely used in foods, cosmetics, and other products."

Unlike permanent tattoos, these are created using pigment that's designed to be broken down by your body naturally. "The thing that makes permanent tattoos permanent is your body's inability to break down the dye," Liu says. "Traditional tattoo ink clumps together. Too large to be removed, your body 'walls off' the area and the ink stays."

How Are Ephemeral Tattoos Different From Normal Tattoos?

While the type of ink used in both processes differs, the same rules that apply to getting a permanent tattoo also apply to getting an ephemeral tattoo: they're drawn by trained tattoo artists at the company's brick-and-mortar tattoo studios (more on available locations below). In the same way that you must be 18 to get a permanent tattoo, you must also be 18 to get a semi-permanent one.

How quickly you can expect your own made-to-fade tattoo will fade depends on various factors, including your individual skin type as well as adjustments made to the ink itself. Within the two years since introducing the technology to market, Liu made a statement on fade times. "Now that we've tattooed more than 10,000 customers over 20 months, we've seen a broader range of fade journeys," he says. "This can be attributed to amounts of water in different parts of the body, differing ink saturation requirements based on tattoo design type and of course, the uniqueness of each wearer's immune response."

How Much Does an Ephemeral Tattoo Cost?

While ephemeral tattoos are slightly more expensive (in part because the studios are mostly in larger cities) it's worth noting that just like any other tattoo studio, the exact price depends on the size and detail you're particular piece requires. Smaller ephemeral tattoos can cost you around $200, but can go up to $500 for larger designs. It's best to check with the studio for exact pricing.

How to Get an Ephemeral Tattoo

While the company initially set up ephemeral tattoo studios in Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, they have temporarily closed each of these locations and instead will be selling the ink directly to tattoo artists and parlors. Be sure to check with your local tattoo shop to inquire whether they offer ephemeral tattoos.

Should you Get An Ephemeral Tattoo?

We're not in the business of telling people what to do, but if you're interested in getting some new ink but aren't exactly sure what to get or where to get it, this sounds like a good way to experiment.