A punk with a skull tattooed over his own face has been awarded a scholarship to study theology after finding God and undergoing painful surgery to remove the body art.
Leandro de Souza, who was once the most tattooed man in Brazil, revealed the new chapter in his life when he announced plans to publish a book about his religious conversion, local media reported on 9th February.
Leandro, from the city of Bage, in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, said he had secured a full scholarship at a missionary and theological institution in the city of Petrolina, in the northeastern state of Pernambuco, and is preparing to leave his hometown later this month.
Leandro de Souza from the city of Bage, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, before the procedure, poses in undated photo. He is undergoing laser treatments to remove the tattoos from his face. Note: Private photo from social media. (@leandrodesouzabless/Newsflash)
To take up the opportunity, De Souza resigned from his job as a sales assistant at an optician in Bage and said he expects to remain in Pernambuco for at least four years while completing the course.
He also announced he will release a book in April, described as a testimonial work recounting his life story and the events leading up to his religious conversion.
De Souza previously gained national attention after being recognised as Brazil’s most tattooed man, having covered around 95 per cent of his body with more than 170 tattoos over the course of two decades.
Picture shows Leandro de Souza after two sessions of tattoo removal, undated. He decided to remove his tattoos after becoming an evangelical. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@leandrodesouzabless/Newsflash)
The title was officially registered during an international tattoo event held in the city of Santa Rosa, in Rio Grande do Sul.
Following his conversion to evangelical Christianity, De Souza decided to begin removing the tattoos that once defined his appearance.
The removal process remains ongoing, with five of eight planned laser sessions already completed.
He said the sixth facial laser session is scheduled for March and remains confirmed.
Leandro de Souza poses in undated photo. The man from Bage in Brazil underwent 4th facial tattoo removal session. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@leandrodesouzabless/Newsflash/NX)
The procedures are being carried out in the city of Franco da Rocha, in the southeastern Brazilian state of São Paulo, and are being provided free of charge by a medical team who offered support after learning about his case.
De Souza said the final sessions are now being spaced further apart to allow better recovery of the skin.
He began tattooing his body at the age of 13 and said post-procedure care includes applying ointment, using ice on treated areas and avoiding sun exposure.
He added that regular physical exercise helps the body eliminate tattoo pigments during the laser removal process.
(Aloysius Fernandes /Newsflash)