Ethan “ModBoy” Bramble, a 24-year-old from Australia, gained notoriety for covering his entire body in tattoos and undergoing a series of extreme body modifications that drastically altered his appearance. His journey into this world began at just 11 years old when he stretched his ears, and from there, it escalated to include procedures like splitting his tongue and even removing his belly button.
Over the years, Bramble accumulated more than 200 tattoos and spent approximately $60,000 AUD, or around $39,000 USD, to craft a look that was both bold and unapologetically unique. For a long time, he viewed his heavily tattooed body as a powerful form of self-expression and identity, a way to stand out and embody a lifestyle he once embraced fully. However, becoming a father changed everything. As his daughter grew, Bramble began to reflect on how his appearance might affect not only how the world perceives him but also how it might impact her.
The attention and judgmental stares he received when out in public with her stirred something within him—a realization that, while he may be at peace with his past choices, they could present unnecessary challenges for his daughter as she got older. In a candid interview on LadBibleTV’s “No Filter” series, Bramble opened up about the emotional toll of his extreme appearance. He expressed that while he doesn’t regret every tattoo, he does regret how far he went, particularly with his facial tattoos. He distinguished between regret and a desire to be seen differently, explaining that it’s not just about disliking his tattoos but wanting others to perceive him in a more neutral or positive light, especially in the context of being a dad.
His facial tattoos became a source of anxiety, something he hadn’t anticipated when he first started getting them. The mental health challenges that came with being constantly stared at and judged took a toll, leading him to make a major decision—to start removing his tattoos, particularly those on his face. For the past year, Bramble has been undergoing laser removal procedures, a process he describes as long, painful, and done in sections. He’s had to go over his facial tattoos six or seven times so far, and while it’s not easy, he finds comfort in the idea of “clearing the canvas.” He shared that although he’s still content with the way he looks in general, he’s also looking forward to seeing less ink on his face over time.
The goal isn’t to erase who he was but to reshape who he is becoming—someone more aligned with his current values and the kind of role model he wants to be for his daughter. Bramble’s story is not just about removing tattoos; it’s about transformation in the truest sense of the word. It’s a story of growth, self-awareness, and a father’s love driving him to reconsider how his choices might influence the life of someone he deeply cares about. The emotional weight of his journey highlights how deeply personal and complex the relationship with body art can be. For some, tattoos are permanent reflections of identity, while for others like Bramble, they become chapters of a past life that no longer align with their present. His decision to change isn’t a rejection of his former self, but rather an evolution into someone who wants to be seen through a different lens—one that allows his daughter to grow up without the burden of public scrutiny tied to her father’s appearance. His transformation serves as a powerful reminder that people can change, not just in how they look, but in how they think and what they prioritize. For Ethan Bramble, shedding his facial tattoos isn’t about erasing who he was, but about making room for the man he wants to be—for himself and for his daughter.
