Father Who Was Covered In Tattoos Shares His Shocking Transformation Story After Painful Surgeries to Remove Them

Older generations used to warn that people shouldn’t get tattoos because they’re permanent and someone may one day regret getting them. However, these days tattoo removal is an option. Although painful, it works after a few sessions but can leave behind some scarring. Either way, 35-year-old Leandro De Souza has decided to undergo laser treatments to remove almost 2 decades worth of ink.

A man covered in tattoos wearing a lakers hat and headphones.

Leandro De Souza is a native of Brazil and a proud father. However, his divorce almost a decade ago proved to be almost more than he could handle. As a result, De Souza went down a path of partying. During this time he accumulated more than 170 tattoos but his first ink was at just 13 years old. “I did the first one when I was 13,” De Souza explained. “The first ones were very much about the idolatry of the time.” However, he’s recently set out on a religious path of Evangelicalism. As a result, he’s decided to undergo the laser tattoo removal process.

Facing Heartbreak

Close up of a man covered in tattoos, wearing a peach/pink shirt. White background.
Image Credit: leandrodesouzabless | Instagram

Leandro’s first tattoos were inspired by his favorite bands, such as Nirvana, Guns N’ Roses, and Metallica. However, the majority of his tattoos were from a decade-long binge following his divorce. During that time, Leandro admittedly experimented with drugs like LSD, alcohol, and ecstasy.

Finding Motivation for Tattoo Removal

An image of a man before his laser tattoo removal.
Image Credit: leandrodesouzabless | Instagram

I couldn’t stand the life I was living anymore. I was an attraction at (events I attended) and it felt like a circus animal.” He said regarding his decision for tattoo removal. De Souza was visiting a shelter almost a decade after his difficult divorce. This visit would change the course of his life. “The first step in everything in life is to accept that you can’t do it alone, that you are an addict, that you are a drug addict,” de Souza said. “And I managed to do that, I entered the municipal shelter in Bagé. Within a week, there was a lady who referred me and started to evangelize me.

Turning a New Leaf

A man showing his tattoo removal progress.
Image Credit: leandrodesouzabless | Instagram

It’s been 2 years since De Souza changed his life and opted for tattoo removal. However, it’s a long process that will be more so for De Souza’s 170 tattoos. Moreover, he now spends his time speaking with “parents and children in homes that are in prisons.”

Leandro began the tattoo removal process with the help of a tattoo studio in Franco da Rocha, São Paulo, which heard about the exciting changes Leandro was making to turn his life around. He’s now been clean from alcohol for 3 years, and free of tobacco and other substances for a year. De Souza still has 6 more tattoo removal sessions before his ink is gone and his transformation, so far, is astonishing and awe-inspiring.

Tattoo Removal is a Modern Possibility

A man showing his tattoo removal progress.
Image Credit: leandrodesouzabless | Instagram

For many, getting a tattoo is inspired by the desire to express one’s creativity, treating their body like a canvas. However, others may regret their ink choices as they mature or their interests and relationship status change. Fortunately, tattoo removal is possible with advancing technology but there are a few side effects like tenderness, skin irritability, and even scarring.

Tattoo Removal Methods

A man showing the progress of his tattoo removal. Public transport in the background.
Image Credit: leandrodesouzabless | Instagram

Interestingly, tattoo removal comes with options. De Souza’s treatment, laser tattoo removal, uses lasers to “heat the ink particles,” breaking them down and making it “easier for your immune system to remove,” according to Cleveland Clinic. Laser tattoo removal sessions are scheduled about 3 months apart and can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on the size of the ink. This method does come with side effects that range from mild skin irritation to painful blisters, but each person responds differently to treatment.

Skin Removal for Tattoo Removal

Beautician performing laser tattoo removal: professional cosmetic procedure
Source: Shutterstock

Another option for tattoo removal is surgical excision. The medical procedure requires a surgeon, who will “cut out the skin that contains a tattoo.” Then they will “stitch your remaining skin together.” The procedure probably sounds intimidating but it’s only used for small tattoos, as cutting an entire back tattoo and then stitching it up would be unpleasant, dangerous, and seemingly impossible.

Meanwhile, dermabrasion and chemical peels are used to remove the outer layers of skin. Unfortunately, both can cause severe skin sensitivity, especially in sunlight. Therefore, understanding the risks and how to treat the skin properly as it heals is essential to your skin’s health and physical comfort.

Woman before and after laser tattoo removal procedures, closeup. Collage with photos, banner design
Source: Shutterstock

Lastly, and possibly least popular and effective, are tattoo removal creams. They can be used at home and often take months or years to yield results. Furthermore, they contain acids that “irritate or damage your skin.” As such, they’re usually advised against by medical professionals.

Can Anyone Get Tattoo Removal

Side by side images of a red and black tattoo.
Image Credit: Tatt2away

In short, yes. However, some things are worth noting when considering tattoo removal. Firstly, tattoo removal takes time and similar or repetitive steps to be effective, regardless of your chosen tattoo removal method. The reason for this is that a tattoo artist applies ink in layers of the skin, so layers have to be broken down which can’t happen in one sitting, otherwise you’ll suffer severe and irreversible skin damage. Ultimately, that would put your overall health and immunity at risk. Additionally, your skin needs time between sessions to “flush out the ink” so, it’s recommended to wait a few weeks or months between most tattoo removal options listed above.

Secondly, certain ink colors are easier to remove than others. For example, blue and black are easy to remove during laser tattoo removal because “they’re better at absorbing light.” Meanwhile, colors like red are difficult to remove because their “molecular composition” is more resistant to the treatment options.

An Alternative

Cropped close up of a bearded tattoo artist working at his studio tattooing sleeve on the arm of his male client. Man getting tattooed by professional tattooist
Source: Shutterstock

Consider having them turned into something else, rather than removed. For instance, if you’re considering tattoo removal and the reason has nothing to do with necessity, for work, or because, like De Souza, you’re on a new path. Instead, you don’t like how it looks anymore, have separated from the person who inspired the tattoo, or have other interests. In this case, you might consider another visit to the tattoo shop to have them create something else by covering the existing tattoo. For many, this option may be more satisfying and less time-consuming.

These 5 Jokes Are the Ultimate Mood Boosters—You’ll Thank Us Later

Life can be really busy, and we often feel stressed about deadlines. But laughter is a wonderful way to lift our spirits. So, take a break, relax, and enjoy these jokes.

In today’s fast-moving world, it’s easy to get lost in the chaos. However, just taking a moment to laugh can really improve your mood and well-being. That’s why we’ve put together this list of funny jokes that are sure to make you smile and boost your spirits.

1) The Cowboy Knew What He Was Doing

One night, an old, blind cowboy accidentally walked into an all-girls biker bar. He found a bar stool and ordered a cup of coffee.

Source: Midjourney

After sitting there for a while, he called out, “Hey, you wanna hear a blonde joke?”

The bar went completely silent.

Then, a woman next to him said in a deep voice, “Before you tell that joke, cowboy, I think you should know five things:

The bartender is a blonde woman with a baseball bat.
The bouncer is a blonde woman.
I’m a 6-foot-tall, 175-pound blonde woman with a black belt in karate.
The woman beside me is a blonde professional weightlifter.
The lady to your right is a blonde professional wrestler.”
After a moment, she asked, “Now, do you still want to tell that joke?”

The cowboy thought for a second, shook his head, and said, “Nope… not if I have to explain it five times.”

2) Too Good to Be True

One day, Arnold was scrolling through Facebook and saw an ad for a black SUV. The price looked too good to be true.

Source: Midjourney

“Mom!” he shouted. “Can I buy a car? I’m old enough to drive now and saw this awesome ad. Someone’s selling an SUV for just $25!”

“Oh, Arnold,” his mother sighed. “It must be a mistake. Who would sell a car for that little?”

“Can we go see it, Mom? Please?” he begged. “It’s just a few blocks away.”

“Alright,” she agreed.

The next day, Arnold and his mom went to the address. There it was—a brand new black SUV in perfect condition, with only a few hundred miles on it.

A woman came out of her house and asked, “So, you’re interested in buying the car?”

“Yes!” Arnold replied. “It’s so nice! How much is it? The ad said $25 but…”

“The price is still $25,” she said. “I can lower it if you think it’s too high.”

Arnold quickly paid and signed the papers. But his mom wanted to ask one last question.

“Why are you selling such a nice SUV for so little?” she inquired.

“Well,” the woman said, “my husband left me and ran away with his secretary. He called from Hawaii and said, ‘Sell my car and send me the money.’ So, that’s what I’m doing.”

3) The Lazy Employee

A company hired a new CEO named Richard, hoping he would improve things.
On his first day, Richard wanted to find and get rid of all the lazy workers. He left his office to walk around and saw a young man leaning against a wall.

Source: Midjourney

Richard thought this was his chance to show everyone he wouldn’t tolerate laziness. He walked up to the guy and asked, “How much do you make in a week?”

“$200, sir,” the young man answered. “Why?”

Everyone in the office was now watching Richard. He pulled out his wallet and handed the guy $200.

“Here’s a week’s pay. Now get out! This place isn’t for lazy people!”

Richard felt good about firing someone. When the guy left, he turned to the others and asked, “Can anyone tell me what the slacker did here?”

Then a senior employee said, “Sir, that was the pizza delivery guy.”

4) The Big News

One day, Peter’s parents told him they wanted to discuss something very important.
“What happened, Dad?” he asked.

Source: Midjourney

“Son, we need to tell you that you’re adopted,” his father replied.

“What?” Peter was shocked.

“We wanted to wait for the right time to tell you,” his mother explained.

“I knew it! I always felt different! I want to meet my real parents!” Peter said.

“We are your real parents,” his father said. “Now pack up; your new ones are coming to get you in 20 minutes.”

5) The Unusual Interview
A young woman was interviewing for an entry-level job. After a few minutes, the interviewers realized she wasn’t very smart.

Source: Midjourney

They didn’t want to cut the interview short, so they asked her simple questions to fill the time.

“How old are you?” one interviewer asked.

The woman started counting on her fingers.

“27 years, sir,” she said after a minute.

The interviewers exchanged glances before the second one asked, “How tall are you?”

The woman took out a measuring tape from her bag, stood up, and measured herself.

“Five feet, three inches,” she replied.

Then the first interviewer asked, “Okay, can you just tell us your name?”

To their surprise, the woman chanted something quietly and then said, “Neha!”

One of the interviewers, unable to hold back, asked, “What took you so long to say your name?”

“I was just recalling that song,” she replied. “Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday, dear Neha…”

So, which joke did you like best? Don’t forget to share these jokes with your loved ones. You might brighten their day!

Feeling down or just need a boost? You’re in luck! We’ve gathered seven of the funniest jokes to make you smile and lift your spirits. From forgetful seniors to clever kids, these stories are sure to make you chuckle.

So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and enjoy some fun humor!

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