Laser-etched tattoos: don't try this at home, kids
By Ryan Block 
posted July 4th 2008 11:32PM
posted July 4th 2008 11:32PM
posted July 4th 2008 11:32PM
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http://www.instructables.com/id/Laser-cutter-start-slicing-stuff-for-under-50-dol/
God, I love me some idiots.
In any shape and form.
I must not fear... fear is the mind killer...
You may think that no one got that reference, but I did, for I am the Kwisatz Haderach.
"No Human has ever withstand that much pain"
i thought the standard semi-obscure utterance was "could he be the one" (said in a low, slightly breathy voice)
he will know your ways as if born to them
Tell me of your home world Usal....
A NERD CONVENTION? ON ENGADGET? WHO WOULDA THUNK?!
FYI, a burn "tattoo" is called a brand. You know, tattoo = ink, brand = heat.
FYI a "brand" is done with wrought iron pokers. where is it in this video? Umm not that I can see, so yes this is a tattoo albeit laser etched, still a tattoo. learn dude. learn.
It is not a tattoo. If you want to categorize it, it is a glorified burnt scar. Nothing more, nothing less.
Its more on a brand side than a tattoo.
Um, if you're going to be all arrogant and stuff, at least look at Wikipedia or something to make sure you're right.
Both tattoos and brands are characterized by their effects, not their methods. Tattoos involve the deposit of ink in the dermis, they layer right under the epidermis. This is usually done with a tattoo gun, but can also be done with a handheld needle, or even by cutting the skin and rubbing ink in.
Brands, on the other hand, are a form of scarification and involve burning or cauterizing the skin to produce a scar. An hot iron is definitely the most common way, but they can also be produced electrically, by a cold iron, or, yes, by laser.
Bottom line: tattoos involve ink. Brands involve scarring.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tattoo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarification#Branding
ouch.that's what modern technology is all about....
What will those gingers come up with next?
I hear that about half of them are in possession of something called "ginger nuts" which are, apparently, a British delicacy of a sort
That's kind-uva cool temp tatoo.
We regenerate skin pretty quickly... I can't imagine this would last long.
I agree with you. It looks like that it only affects the top layer of skin. Reckon they might come out with laser diodes that can change the skin color?
My dad has an engraving laser at his business. I was there once when someone had the safety off that keeps you from putting your hands in the machine. He accidentally got his hand in the unfocused beam and it put a white line across his hand that looked just like what you see in the picture. It lasted about 5 days and then disappeared completely. He also said it just stung a little, but didn't really hurt. Now, obviously this tattoo was done deliberately, and in the focused beam since there's an image, but it might not be that bad.
Everyone who doesn't admit that this thing is awesome is a sucker.
Obviously this is something we need in every family.
A quick Etch before a night out
I think maybe he was referring to the fact that he was the first one to say "I want that!", or he's on dial-up/stuck in the past.
this has made me wonder... why has no one ever invented a tattoo machine?
Did you see the movie "Starship Troopers"? They had one there... but yes, that was a work of fiction.
It looks pretty red around the etched area...
A friend of mine pulled of a stunt like this once., only he used a much faster scanning Nd:YAG laser. He just made two interlocking rings.
The laser made the skin red (like a burn) for a while but now it's all gone. Except when he's outside in subzero temperatures, then you can still see it.
stealth tats? v cool
Was his name Gully Foyle?
Back in '88, I would play with a plasma-globe, I put a coin on top (just like they said not to), and if I held my finger about 1/8" away, I'd get a sustained spark between the coin and my skin... With enough practice, I could "draw shapes" on my skin as carbonized flesh...
Yum, Carbonized Flesh.....
I used to do that when I was a kid. The smell was awful. Never got good enough to draw images though.
haha eric is on dial up! eric is on dial up
Good work, Ryan. This has to be one of the most disgusting things I've seen on Engadget. Excuse me while I puke. :p
Seriously - if you're going to scar yourself - shouldn't you pick something a bit more interesting....
I'm curious what they will look like healed.... Can we get a f/u post soon?
This is 'just-in-time-technology', just in time to laserprint 'loser' to the forehead of those people camping outside apple's for the 3G iphone.
I'd pay to see someone do that!
i wanna try that!!!!!
can you say SMALL CELL MELANOMA?? especially with those UV susceptible freckles!
Clueless but negative?
Can YOU say "Wrong end of the spectrum"? CO2 lasers are near-infrared, not UV...
The slow process of burning flesh into a pretty picture reminds me of when I had dial-up......Excuse me, I must call my therapist.....
{whistling a 110 baud carrier}
aww look at the ginger and his burn tattoo.
That looks gross...
I bet after a few minutes the "tattoo" becomes all blistered and nasty and then heals up with some light scar tissue in an indescernable shape. that pacman is gonna look like some dirty sunny side up egg
OMG! it is really plan! mad!
sory! wrong typing! it should be "PAIN" :P
Did he ever hear of a tattoo or henna tattoo? Oh wait, we wanted to be special... Chock up one more piece of proof how far some will go to be "macho."
Gotta love the song in the video, how appropriate...
OUCH!
haha, i'm one of the dumbasses who will probably try this next time i get bored.
Brilliant way to get skin cancer... well done!
(ummmm FAIL!)