Parents often go to remarkable lengths for their children’s well-being, striving to rectify past decisions that might bring embarrassment or shame. Such is the case for an Australian father who has opted for painful laser tattoo removal for the sake of his daughter.
Ethan ‘ModBoy’ Bramble, a resident of Australia’s New South Wales Central Coast, has spent nearly $40,000 USD covering his entire body with tattoos, including his face. His journey into body modification began at just 11 years old when he stretched his earlobes. By 22, Ethan had transformed himself into a walking canvas, with more than 40 body modifications, including tattoos on his eyeballs, a pierced nose, and a split tongue.
Ethan’s fascination with body art grew rapidly. At 17, he described his tongue-splitting procedure as “the most intense adjustment,” involving “excruciating” pain and the need to sleep sitting up for five days to avoid choking on his saliva. He even took his first modification a step further by having his ears surgically altered. By 22, Ethan’s unique appearance had made him a social media sensation, often seen taunting police while traveling with a warrant out for his arrest. Though the details of the warrant remain unclear, one of his most attention-grabbing modifications was the surgical insertion of a silicone spider into his hand.
Ethan’s passion for body modification stemmed from a deep appreciation for unique art forms. He shared, “I have always enjoyed how it looks. Growing up, I was interested in Aztec designs like nose poles, and as I got older, I realized, wow, you can get more intense stuff done.” He relished the opportunity to push the boundaries of body art, stating, “You can get all kinds of weird and wacky stuff done.”
Despite his love for his tattoos, Ethan has chosen to undergo laser removal to be perceived differently and reduce the judgment he might face while engaging in everyday activities with his daughter, such as taking her to school. He explained, “The face is a big thing that can lead to so many – for some people, not everyone – can lead to a lot of problems for yourself, which I probably wouldn’t want my daughter to have to deal with until she was a bit older. I wish that I had not gone as hectic as I did on my face.”
Ethan has been undergoing laser removal treatments for about a year. “I’ve been getting laser [surgery], or have been, for pretty much 12 months… We do it in sections, but I’ve probably gone over the full thing six or seven times,” he said. The process has helped alleviate some of his anxiety, which he believes was exacerbated by his heavily tattooed face. “Mental stuff is a funny thing to pin down, but I want to think that a lot of the anxiety was from just having a face full of tattoos.”
While reactions to Ethan’s decision have been mixed, his 125,000 Instagram followers have largely supported his choice. Some admire his commitment to his daughter’s future, while others remain fascinated by his extraordinary transformation. Regardless of public opinion, Ethan has always been true to himself and pursued his desires without hesitation. Now, fatherhood has shifted his priorities, illuminating a new path for his future. “I’m happy with the way that I look, but I’m also happy with the mentality that over the next two years, my face tattoos are going to become less and less and less. I’m just clearing the canvas,” he explained.
This heartwarming story highlights the profound impact that parenthood can have on one’s life choices and personal growth.
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