He continued: “They would be disappointed with something I had done or said – I was always hearing ‘that’s devastating.’ Once it was started, I thought, I can’t go back on it now. I wish I had stopped while the outline was there to be quite honest,’ he said.

“Before I knew it I had this on my face… It was swollen like a bloody pumpkin,” he said.

Desperate for a solution, Mark sought ways to remove the tattoo but was met with financial constraints and a lack of willing professionals. Laser removal, the most viable option, required numerous sessions and came at a significant cost. So, Mark turned to social media for help.

Taking to Facebook, Mark shared a selfie showing off his distinctive tattoo, appealing for a job and a chance at a new beginning. His heartfelt plea quickly gained traction on the platform, capturing the attention of the staff at Sacred Tattoo, an Auckland-based tattoo parlor.

CONTINUE READING ON THE NEXT PAGE

Advertisement: