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.

Malia Obama was spotted having lunch with a good-looking guy who looks just like a big Hollywood actor.

Malia Obama was all smiles during a sunny lunch date in Los Angeles, and her companion definitely caught attention. The 26-year-old was seen leaving a restaurant with Greek journalist and photographer Achilleas Ambatzidis.

Malia, the oldest daughter of Barack and Michelle Obama, was happily chatting with Achilleas, who looks a lot like Hollywood actor Penn Badgley from Gossip Girl, thanks to his beard and dark, floppy hair.

It’s unclear what the relationship between them is, but since moving to LA and starting her career in film, Malia has made a lot of new connections.

Malia Obama looked in a jovial mood

She graduated from Harvard University and then turned her attention to working in the entertainment industry.

Achilleas also lives in Los Angeles, but his Instagram shows that he often visits his home country

He co-created Chuck Magazine, which is sold in both Los Angeles and New York.

Malia was previously linked to music producer Dawit Eklund, and before that, she dated her Harvard classmate Rory Farquharson.

Her mom, Michelle Obama, has talked about Malia and her sister’s dating lives during an interview on Good Morning America.

Achilleas Ambatzidis looks like Penn Badgley

“They’re doing great,” Michelle said at the time. “I’m proud of them. They grew up under a really tough spotlight for eight years and turned out to be good, kind, and normal young women who want to make a difference in the world. Plus, they are best friends. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

She also understands that Malia and her sister Sasha want to enjoy dating and have fun with it.

“I think it’s great,” Michelle said. “I want them to figure out what they want and who they are in a relationship, and that means dating different people.”

When asked how Barack feels about them having boyfriends, she admitted he’s “handling it well,” and added: “They were 24 and 21 at the time. They went to prom, had high school experiences, and lived life. He’s learned how to be a protective dad without going overboard.”

Malia and Sasha live in LA together

They’re proud of both of their daughters and the future they’re building, especially since they’ve stayed away from politics.

At a big fundraiser for President Joe Biden in Los Angeles, someone asked the former President if his daughters would follow his path. Here’s what he said:

Malia is making name for herself in the movie industry

“That’s a question I don’t even need to answer because Michelle made sure early on to tell them that going into politics is a crazy idea. It’s never going to happen.”

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