For years, Leandro de Souza was known as the most tattooed man in Brazil. His body was covered in ink, a testament to decades of self-expression and identity. But now, at 35 years old, he has made a radical decision—to remove 95% of his tattoos. His transformation is not just about aesthetics but about a profound change in his life and beliefs.

A Journey Marked by Ink

Leandro de Souza got his first tattoo at just 13 years old. In an interview with the Brazilian news website G1, he recalled, “The idolatry of the time was a major theme in my first tattoos.” Like many teenagers, his inspirations came from the rock bands he admired—Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and Nirvana. Over the years, his body became a canvas, displaying over 170 tattoos that symbolized various phases of his life.

However, his journey took a dark turn. A decade ago, after going through a painful divorce, he found himself spiraling into substance abuse. Initially, he experimented with cocaine, but his dependency quickly escalated. For nearly nine years, he lived a life fueled by ecstasy, LSD, and alcohol. His tattoos, once a source of pride, became a reminder of a life he no longer wanted.

“I couldn’t stand the life I was living anymore,” de Souza admitted. “I felt like a circus animal at the events I attended because I was the attraction.”

A Life-Changing Revelation

De Souza’s turning point came when he found himself at a shelter. There, he was introduced to evangelicalism, a moment that altered the course of his life. Accepting his struggles with addiction was the first step to recovery. “Accepting that you can’t do it alone, that you are an addict, that you are a drug addict, is the first step in everything in life,” he reflected.

At the shelter, a woman began evangelizing him, and her words resonated deeply. As he embraced his newfound faith, he started sharing his story, giving sermons to parents and children, especially those with loved ones in prison. His mission was to inspire others who, like him, had faced hardship and addiction.

The Painful Path to Tattoo Removal

On April 14—his birthday—Leandro de Souza marked a year free from smoking and drugs. He also reached another milestone: three years without alcohol. Determined to further distance himself from his past, he sought the help of Franco da Rocha, a tattoo removal studio in São Paulo, to begin erasing his tattoos.

Laser tattoo removal is an excruciating process, far more painful than getting the tattoos in the first place. “It hurts a lot more than doing it,” de Souza admitted. “It hurts three times as bad as when you do it.” Even with anesthesia, the sessions are agonizing.

So far, he has undergone two laser sessions, but he still has six more to go. Each session lasts between 30 to 40 minutes and takes place every three months. The process is slow, but for de Souza, it is symbolic of his commitment to a new life.

A New Purpose and Future

Leandro de Souza now resides in Bagé, a border city between Brazil and Uruguay, where he continues his mission of spreading faith and hope. Through his transformation, he has found a new purpose—helping others who are struggling with addiction and finding their way back to a meaningful life.

He recognizes that his past cannot be erased overnight, but through perseverance and faith, he is rewriting his story. His tattoos may fade, but the lessons he has learned and the wisdom he shares remain indelible.

His journey serves as a powerful reminder that people have the ability to change, no matter how deep their past is etched into their skin. The road to transformation may be painful, but for de Souza, every laser session is a step toward the person he truly wants to be.

Inspiration Through Change

Leandro’s story has captured attention not only in Brazil but worldwide. His willingness to endure the painful tattoo removal process speaks volumes about his commitment to change. His transformation is not about regret but about growth, about leaving behind the elements of his past that no longer serve him.

Many people see tattoos as a form of self-expression, but for de Souza, removing them has become his ultimate statement. He is proving that change is possible, that one can find redemption, and that the hardest journeys often lead to the most profound transformations.

Leandro de Souza is no longer Brazil’s most tattooed man. Instead, he is a symbol of resilience, faith, and the power of reinvention. His story is a testament to the idea that no matter how lost someone may feel, there is always a path to a new beginning.