The Pain of Erasing the Past and the Power of Starting Fresh

Laser tattoo removal isn’t just expensive — it’s excruciating. For Ethan “ModBoy” Bramble, each flash of light feels like penance and progress rolled into one. After years of decorating his skin, he now spends hours burning that history away. “We do it in sections,” he said. “I’ve gone over my face six or seven times. It’s slow, but it’s worth it.”
He describes it as painful but freeing. “I’m happy with how I look,” he said, “but I’m also happy knowing my face tattoos are fading. I’m just clearing the canvas.” Those words echo like a mantra — a symbol of self-forgiveness, of letting go without erasing the lesson.
Online, his transformation has divided opinion. Some praise his courage, calling it proof that people can evolve without shame. Others criticize him for turning his back on the body modification culture he once championed. But Ethan doesn’t engage with either side anymore. His focus is singular: his daughter.
“I don’t want her to feel like she has to explain her dad,” he said simply. That honesty struck a chord far deeper than any tattoo could.
Since starting the process, Ethan says his mental health has improved dramatically. The ink once felt like armor; now it felt like weight. “I didn’t realize how much anxiety I carried until I began removing it,” he shared. “It’s like I was hiding behind all the ink, trying to prove something. Now, I just want to feel comfortable in my own skin again.”
Today, his tattoos are lighter, his face softer, his presence calmer. He still wears the marks that shaped him — but they no longer define him. He’s become an advocate for self-awareness, urging younger fans to think deeply before committing to permanent changes. “Don’t do it for attention,” he says. “Do it because it reflects who you really are.”
Ethan “ModBoy” Bramble’s story isn’t about rejecting his past — it’s about reclaiming his future. The same courage it took to tattoo his body now fuels his decision to change it.
Because sometimes, growing up means unlearning yourself. Sometimes, starting over isn’t weakness — it’s wisdom.
And as the ink fades from his skin, Ethan’s story reminds us that transformation isn’t about what we cover or uncover. It’s about what we finally allow ourselves to see.