UK-based startup Cipher X has introduced what it claims is the world’s first painless permanent tattoo system, seeking to transform an experience often described as excruciating. Addressing the reality that “getting a tattoo can be a very painful experience,” where “needles repeatedly penetrate your skin, sometimes numerous times over the same area,” the company’s new process promises a fear-free alternative for those deterred by discomfort.
Cipher X CEO Ferdinand Cole, whose stated motivation was his personal “fear of blood and needles,” founded the company with the declared goal of “fundamentally changing the centuries-old process of skin tattooing.” Cole, in a recent press release, described this evolution as a “much larger exploration of how tattoos can be reimagined through modern engineering, manufacturing, and human-centered design.” The revolutionary process itself involves applying patches covered in microscopic structures that carry pigment and introduce it into the upper layers of the skin, applied via a specially-designed applicator and left on for around 15 minutes.
This “virtually painless” method, however, comes with significant constraints. The available designs are restricted to a small, circular canvas measuring only 15mm across, with Cipher X currently offering pre-set options such as hearts and emojis. While the company has announced plans to collaborate with various tattoo artists to offer custom designs, the available pigment color is exclusively black. It remains unclear if Cipher X will ever introduce other pigment colors, limiting artistic expression to monochrome miniatures.
The design first appears only faintly on the skin, but as the pigment settles, it darkens and becomes very visible within 24 to 48 hours. Although the application process may sound similar to that of a temporary tattoo patch, Cipher X’s offerings are permanent tattoo stickers, requiring a laser machine for removal, just like traditional, old-fashioned tattoos. This means while the initial pain is bypassed, the commitment and removal process remain unchanged. The technology is currently limited to Cipher X’s London location.
So, for those who’ve always wanted “some work done” but couldn't overcome their fear of needles, Cipher X offers a truly groundbreaking solution: a tiny, monochrome emoji that requires 15 minutes to apply and a laser to remove—perfect for your “tattoo journey” to minimal regret.
