Here's the news report: http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,23964285-5014108,00.html

As per forum rules, I'm not linkig the instructable.

 

How long do you think that would last? Of course it depends on your scarring, laser type and power, etc...  It is an interesting idea to be sure. I'm also kind of worried about the possibility of increased cancer risk depending on the laser type.

How novel! I too would worry about possible cancer link down the line, although I do enjoy the fresh-looking appearance.

 seems like kind of a risky procedure for something that doesn't even look very cool though, yeah?

Entertaining, but probably a pretty stupid idea. :( Just goes to show to what lengths eager teens who don't want to wait and/or shell out the money for professional work will go.

My dad had an ukulele shop with a laser engraver a few years ago, and the thought had crossed my mind a few times.  There's so much room for error though, and I'd never even think about it unless there was a professional body mod artist there to supervise it. 

I don't really have time to read the article, but the title of this made me think of that movie Starship Troopers where they actually have a machine that lasers on tattoos haha. 

in my opinion this kid is an idiot

It's more like scarring or branding than a tattoo, right?  I don't know about the kid doing it to himself, but I think, depending on how it holds up in the long term, that it has the potential to look good and to create an interesting link between electronic/computer art and body modification.

I agree, it's more like scarring/branding than tattooing. And as far as scarring or branding goes i could see this having potential. Those types of modification are infamously unpredictable in how they turn out so this might be something that make results more consistent and predictable. Though personally I'm not sure how I'd feel about being mod-ed by a machine, it seems weird and kinda impersonal.