Man With 170 Tattoos is Now Removing Them All

Leandro de Souza was once Brazil’s poster boy for body ink, with nearly his entire body covered in tattoos. However, a dramatic life change led him to embark on a painful and arduous journey to erase his past.

The 35-year-old photographer from the border city of Bagé, Brazil, began tattooing himself at just 13 years old. Inspired by his love for rock bands like Guns N’ Roses, Nirvana, and Metallica, he gradually transformed his skin into a living canvas.

But life took a dark turn ten years ago when a divorce from his wife plunged him into a world of alcohol and drug addiction. “I couldn’t stand the life I was living anymore,” de Souza confessed. He hit rock bottom and found himself in a shelter, where he discovered religion.

Evangelicalism became a beacon of hope for de Souza. He embraced the faith and dedicated himself to helping others struggling with addiction. As part of his spiritual journey, he decided to remove the tattoos that had become symbols of his troubled past.

The process is incredibly painful, involving multiple laser sessions. Despite the discomfort, de Souza is determined to complete the transformation. As he sheds the ink, he’s also shedding the memories and pain associated with it.

Today, de Souza is clean and sober, sharing his story as a testament to the power of faith and redemption. His journey from inked-out outsider to spiritual leader is an inspiring example of overcoming adversity.