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]
Ephemeral’s 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]