Despite facing constant ridicule, a devoted mother’s children still admire her. Strangers may call her a “freak,” but she refuses to let their words define her.
This mom isn’t battling a physical condition—her striking appearance comes from being completely covered in what she calls “prison-style” tattoos. Over the years, she’s struggled to find work and endures judgment every time she steps outside. Yet, she has no plans to stop adding to her collection, admitting she’s hooked on the ink.
Melissa Sloan, a 46-year-old from Wales, has spent the past 26 years getting tattooed, starting at the age of 20. She acknowledges that society has largely rejected her and that each new tattoo makes life harder, but quitting isn’t an option.
“For me, it’s like having a cigarette or a drink—you get addicted. I can’t stop now,” Sloan explained. With tattoo parlors turning her away, claiming she’s “beyond help,” she’s taken matters into her own hands. Carrying a tattoo gun in her car, she’s willing to get new ink anywhere.
Despite struggling to secure employment due to the extensive tattoos covering her face and body, Sloan remains committed to her passion. With the help of her boyfriend, she continues to add to her collection, receiving up to three new tattoos each week—bringing her total to over 800.
Sloan recalled that she once worked as a toilet cleaner, but now, she’s repeatedly turned away from similar jobs.
“I can’t get hired. No one will take me,” she said. “I applied for a cleaning job in my area, but they refused me because of my tattoos. People claim I’ve never worked a day in my life, but I did have a job once—it just didn’t last long.” Still, she’s willing to work if given the chance. “If someone offered me a job tomorrow, I’d take it without hesitation.”
Beyond struggling to find employment, Sloan says she faces constant judgment. Every time she steps outside, she’s met with stares, mocking remarks, and people pointing at her.
“The more tattoos I get, the more people see me as a freak. They even jump out of my way, and I just think, ‘Why are you doing that?’ It’s awful,” she said. “I knew this would happen—I’ve never really fit in because I choose to be myself, and I always will.”
Sloan also says she’s been banned from local bars and even prevented from attending school events where her children, ages eight and ten, might be involved. But despite the rejection, she refuses to change.
“My kids say, ‘Mum, they’re staring at you,’ and I just tell them, ‘Ignore them,’” Sloan shared, acknowledging that her children notice the negativity directed at her. “People say my kids will leave me when they’re older—that’s heartbreaking.”
Despite the judgment, Sloan embraces her influence on her children, encouraging them to see her as a role model. They’ve already developed an interest in body art.
“They had some on their arms last night,” she said, referring to temporary tattoos. “But they have school, so they’ll have to take them off. I tell them they’ll get even better ones when they’re older.”
Before her transformation, Sloan had a much more conventional appearance. She’s even shared old photos of herself on Instagram, showing a face that’s now almost unrecognizable compared to today.
Body art can be a beautiful form of self-expression, but for some, it can reach a point where it drastically impacts their daily life. While no one deserves to be judged unfairly, it’s understandable why employers might hesitate to have her represent their business. Hopefully, her children will take her experiences into account and make choices that allow them to feel accepted rather than isolated. What are your thoughts on her story?