Leandro de Souza, 36, from Bage, Brazil, started getting tattoos at 13 and earned the title of "most tattooed man in Brazil" at an international exhibition in 2023. However, his appearance made it difficult to find work, and he even spent time living in a shelter.
About two years ago, Souza's feelings about his tattoos changed. He began the removal process and has been documenting his journey on social media. "I didn't feel good about my appearance. At times, I felt like a circus freak," Souza said.
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Leandro de Souza before and after tattoo removal on 28/8. Photo: Leandro de Souza/Instagram |
Leandro de Souza before and after tattoo removal on 28/8. Photo: Leandro de Souza/Instagram
On 28/8, he shared photos of his face after his fifth removal session, provided free of charge by Hello Tattoo studio in Sao Paulo. A studio representative stated that tattoos don't define a person's character and decided to support Souza after he said, "I have regained my dignity".
The removal process is expected to take eight sessions and is very painful. "Imagine how painful it is to remove a small tattoo on your finger. I'm enduring three types of lasers on my entire face. But it's the price I have to pay for what I did," he said.
After his divorce at 25, Souza's life took a downward turn. He entered a rehabilitation center where a woman helped him find faith. Now, he's changing his appearance and lifestyle, hoping to find stable work, support his son, and regain custody of his elderly mother.
"Think carefully before getting tattoos on your face because I regret it. I'm not condemning tattoos, but I believe that after changing, we have more important things to focus on," Souza advised.
Minh Phuong (People)
