Sloan’s journey with tattoos began 26 years ago, and she acknowledges that she’s now deeply attached to the lifestyle. The tattoos are more than skin-deep for her—they’re an expression of who she is, even though they have cost her job opportunities and led to frequent encounters with verbal abuse from strangers. Unfazed by these challenges, Sloan views her tattoos as addictive, likening it to a habit that’s hard to break. “It’s like having a cigarette or a drink—you get addicted. I just can’t stop,” she shared, explaining her commitment to self-expression through body art. Since most tattoo parlors won’t work with her anymore, calling her “beyond help,” Sloan now carries her own tattoo gun to add new designs whenever she pleases.
Despite the impact on her job prospects, Sloan continues to get tattoos, often applied by her boyfriend. Her body now showcases over 800 designs, covering her face and limbs. Once a cleaner, Sloan finds it challenging to secure even basic employment, as employers often turn her away solely because of her tattoos. “I applied for a job cleaning toilets, but they wouldn’t hire me because of my appearance,” she recounted. “If someone offered me a job tomorrow, I’d take it.”
Her appearance has also led to social isolation. Sloan often faces public ridicule, with strangers pointing and commenting as she passes by. Some have even gone as far as calling her a “freak.” “The more tattoos I get, the more people judge me,” she admitted. “But I knew this would be part of my life; I chose to be myself, and that’s not going to change.”
This reaction from society has also impacted Sloan’s children, who notice the way others view their mother. “The kids sometimes say, ‘Mum, they’re looking at you,’” Sloan shared, adding that she encourages them to ignore the negativity. Despite others predicting that her children might distance themselves in the future, Sloan remains optimistic and committed to being a role model in her own way.
In fact, her children are already starting to embrace body art themselves. Recently, they wore temporary tattoos on their arms, a choice that Sloan fully supports, with the promise of allowing them to have permanent tattoos when they are older. “They’ve got to take them off for school,” Sloan explained, smiling at the memory. “But I tell them they’ll get better ones when they grow up.”
Before this transformation, Sloan had a more conventional appearance. On social media, she has shared old photos showing her look before the tattoos took over. Today, her appearance is unrecognizable compared to her younger years.
While tattooing is a personal choice, Sloan’s story highlights the challenges faced by those who choose to go against conventional norms. For some, it’s difficult to understand her dedication to body art, especially when it hinders her ability to secure employment. Hopefully, her children will learn from her journey, navigating the balance between self-expression and societal expectations with insight.
What do you think about Melissa Sloan’s story?
