A woman who got a tattoo she thought would fade within a year has gone viral after revealing the ink is still clearly visible more than two years later.
Raimee Iacofano from Los Angeles decided to try a “biodegradable” tattoo ink offered by Ephemeral Tattoo, a company that claims its tattoos are designed to disappear over time. But instead of fading away within the promised 9 to 12 months, her tattoo—a chicken riding a skateboard—remains intact and very much visible.
The Promise of Ephemeral Tattoos
Ephemeral Tattoo markets its ink as biodegradable and claims tattoos will fade completely within three years. According to the company’s website, tattoo longevity can vary based on five factors:
- Tattoo design.
- Placement.
- Aftercare.
- Skin physiology.
- Immune system.
The company states that 8% of tattoos fade within one year, 76% within two years, and 98% within three years. However, Iacofano said she was told her tattoo would disappear within 9 to 12 months.
Intrigued by the idea of impermanent ink, Iacofano decided to get something quirky: a chicken on a skateboard.
“I wanted something silly but cute,” she said. “The intent was to remind me not to take life so seriously and that nothing really matters because everything is impermanent. Little did I know.”
The Reality: A Tattoo That Lasts
Nine months after getting the tattoo, Iacofano began to notice the ink hadn’t faded much at all. “I knew there would be no way it would be gone in 12 months,” she said. As reports of similarly persistent Ephemeral Tattoos began surfacing online, Iacofano realized she might be keeping her chicken longer than expected.
Now, more than 25 months later, the tattoo remains intact, albeit slightly faded. She estimates it could take anywhere from five to 10 years for it to disappear completely.
Mixed Feelings About the Tattoo
While Iacofano doesn’t regret her tattoo, she admits to feeling frustrated at times.
“It does annoy me to have it sometimes,” she said. “I don’t think I would ever get another visible tattoo. It actually does feel too permanent of a thing for me now, and I like to embrace the constant change of life.”
Still, she appreciates the humor and irony of the situation.
“The entire point of this tattoo was to not take things seriously,” she said. “So, before the trolls come for me for being ‘stupid’ for believing in magical fading ink…remember—it isn’t that serious.”
A Broader Look at Tattoos and Regrets
Iacofano’s story sheds light on the growing popularity—and occasional regrets—of tattoos.
A 2023 Pew Research Center survey revealed that 32% of U.S. adults have at least one tattoo, with 22% having more than one. However, 24% of respondents admitted they regret at least one of their tattoos.
For Iacofano, though, the tattoo remains a humorous and unexpected part of her life. She marked the two-year anniversary of her “dumbest tattoo” with a TikTok video, where she’s embraced the chicken on a skateboard as a quirky conversation starter.
Lessons for Future Tattoo Seekers
Iacofano’s experience serves as a cautionary tale for those considering “temporary” tattoos.
- Research thoroughly: Understand the claims made by tattoo companies and the variability of results.
- Expect the unexpected: Even tattoos marketed as impermanent may stick around longer than anticipated.
- Embrace the experience: Like Iacofano, finding humor in an unexpected outcome can turn frustration into a story worth sharing.
Key Takeaways
- Temporary tattoos: Not always as temporary as advertised.
- Raimee Iacofano’s chicken tattoo: A lasting reminder to not take life too seriously.
- Ephemeral ink reality: Variations in fading times leave some tattoos lasting far longer than expected.
