This tattoo is permanent, pain-free, and maybe delivered in the mail

Key Points:

• CipherX, a London-based biotech company, has developed Microdot patches that use microscopic biodegradable needles to apply painless, quick, and permanent tattoos, offering an alternative to traditional tattooing methods.
• The application process involves pressing a small patch with 112 microneedles into the skin, causing minimal sensation and no bleeding or irritation, with tattoos becoming visible and darkening over two days.
• Currently, the tattoos are limited to about 15 small black designs, with no customization or larger sizes available, though the company plans to expand design options, add colors including UV-reactive ink, and offer at-home application kits in the future.
• The technology is best suited for flat, stretchable skin areas and is not recommended for bony or sensitive regions like fingers, ankles, or face, with current offerings limited to pop-up events in London under professional supervision.
• Priced at approximately £50 ($66), the Microdot tattoos provide a less painful option for needle-averse individuals, though the long-term permanence and appeal to traditional tattoo enthusiasts remain uncertain.