A mum-of-seven who is covered from head to toe in tattoos has vowed to continue getting them until she is 80. Melissa Sloan, 45, who lives in Wales, is covered in colourful ink but still believes there is room for more despite people staring at her in the street.
Since the age of 20 Melissa has used her body as a canvas, amassing dozens of tattoos including love hearts all over her face. Melissa is not deterred by negative comments about her appearance insisting that she is "not doing anyone any harm" and that it is "all about being yourself", reports Birmingham Live.
"People stare no matter where I go," she said. "There's always drama. It doesn't matter if it's in the supermarket, or wherever, people look at me."
On people's reaction to her ink Melissa, who lives in Knighton in Powys, added: "Some are really nice and complimentary about my tattoos. But others ask why I got so many or look at me and question why I would do it to myself.
"I went to a fair the other day and that was a challenge. Loads of people were staring at me as if I'm some sort of celebrity superstar." But Melissa refuses to acknowledge the critics. All that matters to her is that she and her children like them.
"I have seven kids, most of them have grown up now, but they think they're fantastic," added Melissa. "My mum always said to me: 'You've got to be yourself'. That's what I'm doing."
After getting her first few done professionally Melissa now gets tattooed sometimes twice a week by her partner at home. But his collection pales in comparison with "only a few on his arm".
Melissa's favourite body art, on her leg, is of London gangsters the Kray twins. When asked if she had any room left Melissa said: "Not on my face. But there's still plenty of space on my back.
"I just love my tattoos, I'm proud of them. I will be getting them until I'm 80. I'm not doing anyone any harm so therefore I won't stop. People can say what they like but at the end of the day it's all about being yourself."
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