A derm doc at Harvard has developed tattoo ink in polymer bead form that looks permanent, but can be lasered & absorbed if unwanted. Sounds like a very practical idea. From a business perspective, I bet it would give tattoo parlors more business since people wouldn’t be as reticent to get a tattoo. From a health perspective, it allows people to easily change their minds about ideas or things they thought they’d never, ever, never-in-a-million-years change their minds about.

Interestingly, a tattoo guy comments that the erasable ink is “cheating permanence.” Note that the ink looks permanent, according to this article. (It essentially is permanent if you want it to be.) Also note that regular tattoo removal can cost up to ~$10K and still not be completely removed. Assuming this ink will be more expensive than run-of-the-mill tattoo ink, it sounds like a relatively cheap insurance policy.

You know, just in case you decide the Taylor Hicks tattoo on your chest isn’t your style anymore.