Older generations used to urge individuals not to get tattoos since they are permanent and may lead them to regret it later. However, tattoo removal is now a possibility. Although uncomfortable, it works after a few sessions but may leave some scars. Regardless, 35-year-old Leandro De Souza has opted to undergo laser treatments to erase nearly two decades of ink.
First Ink
Leandro De Souza is a native of Brazil and a happy parent. However, his divorce about a decade ago was almost too much for him to take. As a result, De Souza pursued a party lifestyle. During this period, he acquired almost 170 tattoos, but his first ink was at the age of 13.
“I did the first one when I was 13,” De Souza stated. “The first ones were very much about the idolatry of the time.” However, he has just begun a religious journey toward Evangelicalism. As a result, he has chosen to undergo the laser tattoo removal procedure.
Facing Heartbreak
Leandro’s first tattoos were inspired by his favorite bands, including Nirvana, Guns N’ Roses, and Metallica. However, the majority of his tattoos stemmed from a decade-long spree following his divorce. During that period, Leandro acknowledged to using substances such as LSD, booze, and ecstasy.
Finding Motivation for Tattoo Removal
“I couldn’t tolerate the way I was living anymore. I was a draw at (the events I attended), and I felt like a circus animal.” He spoke about his choice to get his tattoos removed. De Souza went to a shelter nearly a decade after his traumatic divorce. This visit would alter the path 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 went on. “And I did it; I entered Bagé’s municipal shelter. Within a week, a lady had suggested me and began to evangelize me.”
Turning a New Leaf
De Souza decided to get his tattoos removed two years ago. However, the process is lengthy, and it will be even longer for De Souza’s 170 tattoos. Furthermore, he now spends time conversing with “parents and children in homes that are in prisons.”
Leandro sought assistance from a tattoo shop in Franco da Rocha, São Paulo to remove his tattoos. The studio was aware of Leandro’s positive life improvements. He’s been alcohol-free for three years and free of tobacco and other drugs for one year. De Souza still has six more tattoo removal treatments before his ink is gone, and his progress thus far has been remarkable and awe-inspiring.
Tattoo Removal is a Modern Possibility
Many people acquire tattoos to express themselves creatively, seeing their bodies as a canvas. Others, however, may come to regret their ink selections as they get older or their hobbies and relationship status shift. Fortunately, tattoo removal is now feasible because to advances in technology, although there are some drawbacks, such as soreness, skin irritation, and scarring.
Tattoo Removal Methods
Interestingly, tattoo removal offers possibilities. According to Cleveland Clinic, De Souza’s laser tattoo removal procedure “heats the ink particles,” breaking them down and making it “easier for your immune system to remove,” using lasers. Laser tattoo removal treatments are planned around three months apart and can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the ink. This approach has side effects ranging from slight skin irritation to excruciating blisters, although each person reacts differently to therapy.
So, dear reader, you might ponder the ink that’s resting on your skin or consider the stories behind every line and color. Leandro’s journey reminds us that it’s never too late to turn a new leaf and transform ourselves—sometimes even painfully. But as they say, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and Leandro is certainly the walking testament to that. With a fresh start, he’s marching forward, one laser session at a time. The canvas may change, but the essence of the artist? That’s what truly endures.
