Tattoos are a powerful way to show who you are and what makes you unique. Some people prefer small, subtle designs, while others go all out, covering big parts of their bodies with intricate art.

Tristan Weigelt, a 26-year-old tattoo apprentice, is one of those people who has taken body art to the extreme. His entire look has changed over time, and recently, he made headlines by sharing what he looked like before he started turning his body into a canvas for tattoos.

The difference between his “before” and “after” pictures was truly astonishing.

Weigelt’s journey into the world of tattoos started when he was just 20 years old. Since then, he’s covered a whopping 95 percent of his body in ink.

“It’s kind of weird looking at myself without all the tattoos,” Weigelt shared with the Daily Star. “But funnily enough, I still feel exactly the same as before on the inside.”

Of all the tattoos he has, Weigelt revealed that the ones on his face and head were by far the most painful. He described the experience as if someone were scraping his skin with a metal brush. “It was six full-day sessions, each taking between five and six hours,” he said. “The pain was probably an eight out of ten.”

While many people choose tattoos that carry deep personal meaning, Weigelt admitted that none of his tattoos have any hidden symbolism or special messages behind them.

Over the last five years, he has invested a staggering $50,000 in tattoos.

For anyone considering getting a tattoo, Weigelt has some advice: “Get what you love and what makes sense to you. I see so many people worrying about whether a certain tattoo fits them or if it’s their style. If you like it—then get it.”

His message is simple: tattooing is about personal expression, and the only opinion that truly matters is your own.