A new kind of tattoo ink and tattooing method might revolutionize the way people think about tattoos, as they no longer have to be forever.

A company called Ephemeral Tattoos is developing an ink and tattoing method that will allow the recipient to wear their tattoo proudly for about a year, at which point it will begin to fade and can then be completely erased during a second session. The ink itself is comprised differently, as it is paired with a removal solution that kicks in when the protective structure around the dye molecules in the ink break down. If you didn't get that, don't worry. They explain it a bit better in the video above.

While this is a slightly different concept than both regular tattooing and temporary tattoos, that slight difference could be a game changer for many. Part of the appeal of getting a tattoo is that you will have it forever, thus making it a commitment that should be -- but too often is not -- taken seriously.

The permanence of a tattoo makes people think differently about what to get inked on their body. Most people try to choose a subject they won't be embarrassed of a few years down the road. If you remove the permanence, you also remove a lot of inhibitions about what people will commit to. Suddenly, tattoos of your new love interest's name or losing drunken bet and having to get a Nickelback tattoo are not as dire as before. Also, if you hate your tattoo, which (based solely on what I know from watching every season of Ink Master) I'm assuming happens at least 25% of the time -- you don't have to live with it forever.

There is another side to this as well, one could imagine tattoo purists revolting against the new method. Obviously, you could argue it combats the seriousness, artistry, and commitment of traditional inking, which has become a religion of sorts for many people. Plus, the potential for celebrity shenanigans goes through the roof with a non-permanent tattoo option, which could, in turn, make all tattooing look like a joke. Just wait until a beer company buys ad space on a Kardashian's lower back, or an athlete gets "MVP" tatted on their forehead to commemorate their award-winning season.

Essentially, erasable tattoos could be an awesome game changer, or they could do for permanent tattoos what Limp Bizkit did for rap rock. It really could go either way.

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