We’ve all made choices we regret, whether it’s things we said in anger, decisions we wish we could change, or moments we’d rather forget. But few of us carry our past decisions as openly as Ethan “ModBoy” Bramble, a young man from Australia whose body tells a very vivid story.
Ethan, a true body art fanatic, has turned himself into a living canvas, covering his skin with over 200 tattoos. These days, tattoos have become a popular form of self-expression. Many people get small, quirky pieces of ink, and intricate designs are everywhere. Yet most people have a limit—a line they don’t cross. But for Ethan, that line was far beyond what most people would even consider.
Ethan’s journey into body modification began young. According to reports, he was just 11 years old when he started experimenting with changing his appearance, beginning with a procedure that involved stretching his earlobes. From that moment, he was hooked. Over the years, he’s had all sorts of unusual procedures done. He’s had his tongue split in half like a snake, his belly button surgically removed, and more tattoos than he can count.
But it’s the tattoos that draw the most attention. And it’s no wonder: Ethan’s entire body is covered from head to toe in ink. In an interview, he revealed that he’s spent close to $60,000 AUD (around $39,000 USD) to transform his look.
Recently, though, Ethan has started to feel a shift in his feelings toward his extreme body art. Speaking on LadBibleTV’s show No Filter, he shared, “I guess you could say I regret some tattoos.” Pausing, he added thoughtfully, “Not just regret; I think there’s a difference between regret and wanting to be perceived differently.”
One reason for his change in perspective, he explained, is his role as a father. Ethan admitted he’s grown worried about how people might judge him in everyday situations—particularly when he’s with his young daughter. “The face is a big thing that can lead to so many…for some people, not everyone…but it can lead to a lot of problems for yourself,” he said. “I probably wouldn’t want my daughter to have to deal with it until she’s a bit older.”
With a look of deep reflection, he added, “I wish I hadn’t gone so hectic on my face.”
In a bid to reverse some of his more extreme modifications, Ethan has started undergoing painful laser tattoo removal treatments. He’s now trying to “clean up” his image, especially his face. “I’ve been getting laser surgery for pretty much 12 months,” he explained. “We do it in sections, but I’ve probably gone over the whole thing six or seven times.”
For Ethan, it’s not just about the physical pain but also about easing the mental burden that came with his tattoos. “I started getting it done because of the anxiety and stuff I was feeling,” he shared. “Mental stuff is a funny thing to pin down, but I think a lot of my anxiety came from having a face full of tattoos.”
Even though he’s still happy with who he is, Ethan is now ready for a change. “I’m happy with the way that I look, but I’m also happy with the thought that over the next two years, my face tattoos are going to become less and less,” he said, as if the future held a blank slate. “I’m just clearing the canvas.”
Ethan’s story brings up big questions about the impact of our choices. What do you think of his journey, both before and after? Let us know in the comments!
