Leandro de Souza, a 36-year-old from Bagé, Brazil, was once widely known as the most tattooed man in the country, with 95% of his body inked. His extreme look made headlines, particularly during events like the Santa Rosa International Tattoo Expo. However, after experiencing a deep personal and spiritual transformation, Souza is undergoing an equally extreme change—he is now removing nearly all of his tattoos as he embraces a new life centered around faith and purpose.

Souza’s journey with tattoos began at age 13 and grew into an obsession with body modification. His appearance, though attention-grabbing, made finding stable employment difficult and even led to a period of homelessness. Two years ago, a turning point came when he found Christianity. Motivated by a desire to rebuild his life and care for his family—especially his son and elderly mother—he committed to removing the tattoos that he now believes no longer represent who he is.

In early 2025, Souza began the painful process of laser tattoo removal at Hello Tattoo Studio in São Paulo, which is providing the service for free. Sharing his progress on Instagram, Souza admitted the procedure is extremely painful but sees it as a necessary part of healing. The studio supported his journey, noting that tattoos don’t define a person’s worth—transformation is about choices and personal growth. The treatment involves multiple lasers to remove pigment, heal skin, and prevent scarring. It will take at least eight sessions to complete.

Souza now warns others about the consequences of extreme body modifications, especially on the face. He regrets his earlier choices and says his past pride has been replaced by a deeper understanding of life. “I just want to live with purpose—and in peace,” he says, embracing a future grounded in faith and family.