Melissa Sloan, a 45-year-old mother from Wales, is covered head to toe in tattoos and admits that her extensive body art has made it difficult for her to secure employment. She has spent countless hours under the needle and even covers her old designs with new ones. Melissa says she can’t even count how many tattoos she has, but she’s determined to keep adding more. She recently shared a shocking throwback photo of herself before her entire face was covered in tattoos, revealing that her boyfriend now does most of her tattoos “prison style” at home. She has even been “banned” from church due to her outlandish appearance.
Despite receiving odd looks on the street and facing unkind comments, Melissa remains committed to her passion for tattoos. She plans to add a crucifix tattoo just below her right eye and describes her decision to get tattoos as a form of personal expression. Melissa acknowledges that she frequently gets called “Crazy Melissa” and is aware of the judgmental attitudes she faces. Her tattoos, which include flowers, the England flag, the Kray Twins, Playboy bunnies, and cartoon marijuana leaves, continue to expand. She gets tattooed each week and admits that the process is addictive for her.
Melissa’s tattoo addiction has impacted her ability to secure employment, as she reveals that she’s been turned down for cleaning jobs due to her appearance. She once had a job cleaning toilets but was let go from it, and she often applies for work but faces rejection due to her tattoos. Despite this, she remains unapologetic and states that she fully expects to face societal judgment for her decision to cover her body in tattoos. Melissa admits that the tattoos give her a sense of adrenaline and satisfaction, but the buzz wears off after a few days, prompting her to get more tattoos.
The cost of getting tattooed at a studio has led Melissa to opt for tattoos done at home, using tools such as ink bottles and needles that significantly reduce her expenses. She describes the tattoo process as a form of free self-expression and sees it as a way to showcase her personality. Melissa’s ever-expanding collection of tattoos includes a mix of designs that hold personal meaning for her. While her appearance may attract stares and commentary from others, she remains steadfast in her commitment to being herself and is not deterred by the negative reactions she receives.
Melissa’s tattoos serve as a visual representation of her individuality and personal style, allowing her to stand out in a crowd. Despite facing challenges with finding employment due to her appearance, she continues to embrace her love for tattoos and sees them as an extension of her identity. Melissa’s willingness to share her story and display her tattoos publicly reflects her courage and confidence in being true to herself. Her journey with tattoos showcases the power of body art as a form of self-expression and a means of creating a unique personal identity.
