Teacher, model, performer and comedian Sylvain Hélaine is known as the 'world's most tattooed teacher' after covering 100% of his body in ink.
The 37-year-old, from Paris, France, has spent a whopping £57,000 on his extensive ink collection.
Sylvain, who is known as Freaky Hoody is 100% covered in tattoos, including the palms of his hands, his gums and even his eyeballs.
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He says that despite removing his nipples and belly button, he is happy in his skin.
Sylvain, who teaches primary school children, started his tattoo journey 10 years ago at the age of 27.
Moving to London in 2012 to teach at Dulwich College, Sylvain was wearing suits and ties and suffered a personal crisis, not knowing what to do with his life.
Whilst in Brixton, he noticed that his banker at HSBC had his neck tattooed, and then noticed a man in McDonalds had both his sleeves done. This opened Sylvain’s eyes, making him want to start a tattoo journey.
Over the course of three and a half years, Sylvain covered his entire body, finishing his first layer in Paris. He is now finishing up his second layer of tattoos, intending to do a third and fourth.
Sylvain accepts that one day, when he is 80 or 90, he will be fully black, having covered himself in darker tones. He sees tattoos as infinite and full of home because of this.
As well as his tattoos, Sylvain has had his nipples removed and his belly button removed to make himself 'a smoother canvas' for tattoo artists.
Sylvain considers his body to all to be one tattoo, forming a large body suit over his skin that evolves over time.
He said: “I have one tattoo, my pyjamas. I have fully covered myself.
“I see my arts as only one piece, one full body suit that has evolved with time. I am on my second layer now."
In total, Sylvain estimates he has spent £57,000 on all of his tattoos and modifications.
He says he likes his ear tattoos in particular, saying: "I love both of my ears, my right ear just lines. We covered my left arm and leg in only lines to enhance the muscles.
"My left ear is a symbol. It is full black and part of the flower on my face.
"I will end up fully black maybe when I’m 80 or 90, as it’s easier to be tattooed in darker tones. My left ear is like the final step. Tattoos are infinite, being covered layer after layer is infinite and full of hope."
Sylvain has never found that his tattoos have affected his career. He has taught children for 14 years, currently teaching 29 kids between the age of seven and 11.
Despite his impressive look, the children are unphased, caring more that he is a young male teacher in France, than his tattoos,
Sylvain finds that it takes the children two minutes to accept him, the parents two days, and the grandparents two weeks.
When it comes to his family, his father and sister are very accepting of his look, but Sylvain says his mother was hesitant at first.
However, after seeing it as a career, she's come to accept it, he says.
Sylvain doesn’t experience hatred on the streets or on his social media. For him, the strangest part is through online dating.
“The weirdest thing is dating websites," he said.
"Because of my appearance, some women will try to seduce me as they think I’m violent, dangerous, and criminal.
He receives many sexualised comments on his pictures such as “I’d like to touch it so much, it’s beautiful”, “You’re super hot” and “I need you”.
Sylvain advises that if you want to get tattooed, wait a bit and know it is the proper choice for you, without it interfering with your job or professional life. However, he says has never regretted a tattoo.
“Tattoos are like love, you need to be 100% sure you love tattoos before you get them,” he said.
Sylvain added: “I love tattoos and myself, I get them selfishly. I don’t care what anyone thinks."
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