We all carry memories of choices we wish we could take back—words spoken too quickly, actions driven by impulse, moments that linger in hindsight. But while most regrets remain private, hidden beneath the surface of everyday life, some unfold in full public view. Few people embody this more vividly than Ethan “ModBoy” Bramble, an Australian body modification enthusiast whose extreme physical transformation has captivated and divided audiences around the world.
In an era where tattoos have become not only socially accepted but celebrated as a form of self-expression, Ethan took body art far beyond convention. From delicate wrist ink to full-body coverage, tattoos today are as much fashion as they are personal statements. But there’s a threshold most won’t cross—a line where body art becomes body alteration, and expression gives way to extremity. Ethan crossed that line years ago, and now, he’s walking it back.
Ethan’s journey began unusually early. At just 11 years old, he began modifying his body, starting with ear stretching—an act that would spark a lifelong fascination with transformation. Over time, his curiosity evolved into a full-fledged lifestyle, leading him through a series of increasingly intense modifications: tongue-splitting, subdermal implants, and even the removal of his belly button. But it was the tattoos—over 200 of them—that came to define his image. From his feet to the very contours of his face, no part of his skin was left untouched.
By his own estimates, Ethan has invested around 60,000 Australian dollars (approximately 39,000 USD) in his appearance. For years, he wore his look like armor—bold, unapologetic, and undeniably unique. Yet, behind the ink and the modifications, a quieter story began to unfold—one of discomfort, social judgment, and inner conflict.
In a revealing interview on LadBibleTV’s No Filter series, Ethan opened up about his shifting perspective. “I guess you could say I regret some tattoos,” he admitted. But his remorse, he clarified, isn’t solely about aesthetics—it’s about how his appearance affects the people around him, especially his young daughter. “The face is a big thing that can lead to a lot of problems for yourself, which I probably wouldn’t want my daughter to have to deal with until she was older,” he said. “I wish that I had not gone as hectic as I did on my face.”
That realization marked a turning point. Motivated by both personal anxiety and a desire to change the way he’s perceived, Ethan began the difficult and expensive process of laser tattoo removal. “I’ve been getting laser treatments for pretty much 12 months now,” he explained. “We do it in sections, and I’ve probably gone over the full area six or seven times.” The process is grueling—painful, slow, and emotionally taxing. But for Ethan, it’s a step toward clarity, both literal and metaphorical.
“Most of the anxiety I was experiencing came from having a face full of tattoos,” he said. “I’m happy with who I am, but I’m also looking forward to the next two years, when my face tattoos are going to become less and less. I’m just clearing the canvas.”
What makes Ethan’s story so compelling isn’t just the transformation itself—it’s the self-awareness and vulnerability it reveals. It takes courage to modify your body so radically, but it arguably takes even more to walk back those changes, especially when they’ve become part of your identity. His decision reflects a deeper truth many can relate to: our sense of self isn’t fixed. It shifts, evolves, and sometimes circles back to what we once left behind.
Ethan Bramble’s journey is more than a headline about extreme tattoos—it’s a human story about growth, acceptance, and the pursuit of authenticity. While his past may be permanently inked into public memory, his future remains his to rewrite—one laser session at a time.
What’s your take on Ethan’s transformation? Does it challenge how we view self-expression, regret, or even beauty? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.