Desperate to rid his body and face of tattoos, Les Elliot has spent £2,000 and two years in excruciating pain.
More than 15 tattoos covered the arms, chest, hands, neck and face of the Tyneside factory worker until agonising laser burning surgery removed the body art.
Mr Elliot, 37, from Winlaton, Gateshead, was left with more than 200 blisters on his hands alone as he endured two years of the surgery.
Lasers burn off the tattoo and layer of skin during the operation, leaving hundreds of tiny blisters and painful scars.
His first tattoo was of an eagle on his arm in 1983 when he was 17. He spent the next five years covering his upper body in the art work including the words "Newcastle United" sprawled across his chest and a sword, snake and ship on his arms.
A butterfly and spider's web were tattooed on his hands, two swallows and eyes on the front and back of his neck and even a star on his face.
Mr Elliot said: "I had my tattoos done originally because everyone else had them. It was really fashionable at the time. I spent five years and about £200 on getting them done, which was a lot of money to me then."
But after years of being discriminated against because of his appearance, he took the decision to pay for the laser treatment.
He explained: "People judge you on how you look and I've been treated really badly in the past. People would always look and stare at me.
"I didn't get jobs and have been thrown out of nightclubs just because of my tattoos. I was fed up with it and desperate to get rid of them."
The Tyneside Safety Glass factory worker had to fork out a big part of his salary to get the tattoos burned off. The first session cost £200 and then £60 every six weeks for more than two years.
Mr Elliot said: "I went through unbearable pain for a long time. Because of the blisters that come up you have to wait weeks until you can be lasered again and each tattoo needs a few goes under the laser.
"Because I have to wear safety gloves at work, the pain was even worse, with the fabric pressing against the wounds.
"At one point I was covered in 200 blisters and I have lasting scars on my left hand."
Mr Elliot still has tattoos on his arm, but feels great after going through the long and painful process.
He said: "I feel so much more confident now. I never used to wear T-shirts or take my top off in the summer because I was so embarrassed.
"It was definitely worth it. My girlfriend didn't mind the tattoos, but she's much happier now they're gone. I don't feel ashamed or embarrassed about how I look any more."
