Ephemeral’s ink is made from medical-grade polymers and dyes. Simply put, polymers are chains of smaller molecules. The polymers in Ephemeral ink are biodegradable and bioabsorbable, so after they enter the body, they will gradually break apart until the particles are small enough for the body to remove. This process of breaking apart and removal is what causes the fade.

It generally takes about 9-15 months for an Ephemeral tattoo to disappear, but some Ephemerals may fade more quickly or more slowly. Fade times vary because everyone’s body is unique. Some bodies will dissolve the ink faster than others, and factors like the amount of melanin in your skin and the style and placement of your tattoo can affect the appearance of the  fade too. But don’t worry: your tattoo will disappear.

Ephemeral’s ink is made from a solution containing medical-grade polymers and dyes.

Simply put, polymers are chains of smaller molecules. The FDA does not regulate tattoo ink, but the polymers in Ephemeral ink do come from FDA-regulated manufacturers of medical devices—that’s what makes the polymers “medical grade.” They’re also biodegradable and bioabsorbable, so after they enter the body, they will gradually break apart until the particles are small enough for the body to remove.

The  dyes in Ephemeral ink are naturally available or FDA-approved for use in cosmetics, food and medical devices. Unlike most permanent tattoo inks, we don’t use metal-based pigments or PPD (paraphenylenediamine) in Ephemeral ink.

Our made-to-fade ink is also vegan, and many of our components are derived from natural plant sources.

Safety was a top concern when we developed our made-to-fade ink. It took 6+ years of research and testing, plus millions of dollars spent to get it just right. While the FDA does not regulate tattoo ink, our formulation is made from ingredients that are all FDA approved for use in medical devices, drugs, food, or cosmetics. We also conducted a rigorous clinical study that was approved by the IRB (Institutional Review Board) to verify the safety of Ephemeral ink.

We currently only use black ink for our made-to-fade tattoos, but more colors are coming soon! We’ve been carefully testing the fading capabilities of colored inks to make sure they’ll look their best throughout your fade journey. Sign up for our newsletter (scroll down to the footer) to be the first to know when new colors debut.

Yes, Ephemeral ink fades and is made for all skin tones. Our tattoo artists are diverse and have experience tattooing skin of all shades. They are committed to giving you an Ephemeral that looks great on you. Because darker skin tones are rich in melanin, the fade process may appear to happen more quickly (9-12 months as opposed to 9-15). Factors like sun exposure, skin tone, and the design and placement of your tattoo can affect the fade too.

Some of our tattoo styles—like bolder lines spaced further apart, and larger or more graphic designs—will look better on people with darker complexions.  Our artists will guide you through these styles during your design consultation and make sure you feel comfortable and confident before getting your Ephemeral.

Yes, Ephemeral ink is vegan. It is free of all animal-derived ingredients and byproducts, as well as wheat and gluten.