A young man in China, whose entire face is covered with a skull tattoo, has decided to undergo the arduous process of tattoo removal due to the significant challenges it has caused in his life. The 24-year-old, known as Xiaolong, hails from Liaoning province in northeastern China and has expressed deep regret over his past decisions, stating his desire to return to a normal life.
Xiaolong began getting tattoos in 2018, eventually covering his face with a skull design and extending the ink to his head, neck, arms, legs, and even the sclera of his left eye. Reflecting on his choices, he admitted, “I was rebellious back then and used tattoos as an outlet for my unhappiness.”
However, these tattoos have brought significant hardships, particularly in his professional life. “For the past six years, they’ve caused immense trouble for both me and my family. Finding a job has been incredibly difficult. I’m constantly insulted during my livestreams, and even basic tasks like renewing my ID or using facial recognition systems have become inconvenient and embarrassing,” Xiaolong shared.
As the challenges mounted, he chose to delete his social media accounts, remove his tattoos, and pursue a fresh start. In October, while living in Hebei province in northern China, he contacted a tattoo removal expert named Yang in Changzhou, Jiangsu province, located north of Shanghai. He began by removing a small tattoo on his hand. By December 18, Xiaolong returned to Changzhou, determined to tackle the removal of his facial tattoos.
The process, however, proved to be extremely difficult. Due to the intense pain, Xiaolong experienced heart discomfort and had to pause the treatment to return to Hebei for recovery before continuing. Yang, the tattoo removal specialist, described the case as one of the most challenging he has ever handled.
Although the total cost of the procedure has not been disclosed, Xiaolong remains resolute. “I regret it so much now. What seemed cool at the time doesn’t hold up in the long run. I just want to live a normal life again,” he confessed.
In China, tattoos are often restricted in specific professions, such as for national athletes and certain civil servants. For instance, the General Administration of Sport of China requires national football players with tattoos to either remove them or cover them during training and competitions. Furthermore, traditional Chinese culture often associates tattoos with negative connotations, viewing them as improper, immoral, or a sign of being a social outcast.
Xiaolong’s story, originally reported by Jimu News, has sparked significant discussion online. Some commenters criticized his past decisions, with one stating, “In ancient China, criminals had their crimes tattooed on their faces. Why would you willingly do this to yourself?” Another advised rebellious teens, saying, “If you want to look cool, try temporary tattoos. Permanently ruining your appearance is not cool—it’s foolish.”
Amid the criticism, there were also voices of support. One person wrote, “Erase the tattoos, start fresh, and good luck with your new beginning!”