Tattoos are one of many ways people choose to express their individuality. Some opt for a small design, while others take it to the extreme, decorating entire body parts. One person who took this approach to a whole new level is Tristan Weigelt, a 26-year-old tattoo apprentice whose extensive body art has gained attention after revealing what he looked like before turning his body into a canvas.

Weigelt’s tattoo journey began at the age of 20, and now, six years later, he’s covered 95 percent of his body in ink. Reflecting on his transformation, he shared with the Daily Star, “It’s kind of weird looking at myself without all the tattoos. But funnily enough, I still feel exactly the same as before on the inside.”

Among the many tattoos he has, the ones on his face and head stand out as the most painful. Weigelt described the experience as being similar to being scraped with a metal brush. “It was six full-day sessions, each lasting between five and six hours, and the pain was probably an eight out of 10,” he recalled.

Unlike many people who get tattoos with specific meanings or messages, Weigelt admitted that his body art doesn’t carry hidden meanings. His tattoos are purely a form of self-expression. Over the past five years, Weigelt has invested $50,000 in his transformation.

For those thinking about getting a tattoo, Weigelt’s advice is simple: “Get what you love and what makes sense to you. I see so many people worried about a certain tattoo fitting them or it not being their style. If you like it – then get it.”

What an incredible transformation Weigelt has undergone! Would you ever consider covering your entire body in tattoos? Personally, I’m not sure I would.