Ephemeral is a corporate chain of tattoo studios that has raised millions from venture capital investors. Their tattoos were supposed to fade in 9 to 15 months.[1][2][3] In February 2023, the company updated the timeframe, saying that 70% of tattoos will fade within two years.[4] The company was founded by five students at New York University,[5][6] two of whom invented Ephemeral’s ink.[7] In 2021, the company raised 20 million of venture capital funding.[2]
| Services | Tattoos |
|---|---|
| Website | ephemeral.tattoo |
Ephemeral’s tattoo ink is made of bioabsorbable polymer particles that are supposed to break down over time, eventually degrading enough to be eliminated by the immune system.[8]
In September 2023, Ephemeral announced that they are closing all of their studio locations within the month.[9]
Concerns
editCustomers have complained that their Ephemeral tattoos do not fade,[1] even after fifteen to nineteen months.[10] In response to these concerns, ink co-inventor Brennal Pierre[7] stated:
"As a researcher, I expect these things. We come up with what we think is an average in what the data has shown us, and that’s what we present. But when you put it out in the wild, different things happen."[10]
Dr. Roy Grekin, director of the Dermatologic Surgery and Laser Center at UC San Francisco stated he wasn’t surprised to hear that different people experienced different fade times with Ephemeral tattoos.[10]
Co-founder Joshua Sakhai stated:
"After the ink fades away, there is a possibility that the skin’s pigment may look lighter or darker in the area. This is a result of the tattoo process itself. Ephemeral tattoos, just like permanent ones, cause trauma to the skin, and this slight difference in pigmentation is a result of the skin’s healing process."'[11]
Contests
editIn 2015, Ephemeral won first place in the $200K Entrepreneurs Challenge[12] and in 2016, Inc. (magazine) named the company the Coolest College Startup.[5][13]
References
edit- ^ a b Kukura, Joe (2 November 2022). "New Valencia Street 'Temporary' Tattoo Parlor Faces Complaints the Tattoos Aren't Temporary, Don't Go Away". SFist. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
- ^ a b Joshua, Josyana (July 7, 2021). "'Tattoo for a Year' Startup Inks a $20 Million Funding Round". Bloomberg. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
- ^ Wilson, Mark (March 16, 2021). "Would you get a tattoo that fades in a year? Ephemeral is banking on it". Fast Company. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
- ^ Holtermann, Callie (25 Feb 2023). "Ephemeral Tattoos Were 'Made to Fade.' Some Have a Ways to Go". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- ^ a b Ball, Helena (April 7, 2016). "This Startup Wants You to Never Regret Getting a Tattoo". Inc. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
- ^ Brandeis, Amanda (April 26, 2022). "Made to fade within a year, innovative tattoo ink guarantees customers a clean slate". KSTU (Fox). Retrieved 19 September 2022.
- ^ a b Krueger, Alyson (October 15, 2021). "Why Do You Tattoo?". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
- ^ Trager, Rebecca. "Made-to-fade tattoos". Chemistry World. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ Pershan, Caleb (September 11, 2023). "Temporary tattoo startup closing studios after customers complain of long-lasting ink". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ^ a b c Pershan, Caleb (22 November 2022). "One temporary tattoo startup tells customers to 'regret nothing.' Now, some have regrets". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
- ^ Tunnell, Alex. "I Got an Ephemeral Tattoo That Disappears in a Year. Here's How the Revolutionary Ink Works". RealSelf. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
- ^ "With "Temporary" Tattoo Ink, No More Ragrets". NYU Local. September 16, 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
- ^ Faber, Emily (July 15, 2021). "Now, your tattoos can match your mood with the help of this made-to-fade ink". WJLA-TV (ABC). Retrieved 19 September 2022.