A woman dubbed ‘Britain’s most tattooed mum’ is avoiding her children’s school sports day after claiming a teacher last year asked her to hide away from the other parents.
Melissa Sloan has more than 800 tattoos, including almost entirely covering her face and neck.
The 46-year-old says she now regrets her elaborate inkings, largely due to the judgement she receives as a result while out in public – which she says includes “staring, pointing and kids running away”.
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The mum-of-seven says it is even affecting her parenting, in that she often stays at home rather than being out and about at events – including the annual school sports day.
“Last year, a teacher told me to stay inside and watch the races from a window,” Melissa, from Kidderminster, told What’s The Jam.
“I think they wanted me to hide from the other parents, and because the kids get scared of my tattoos.
“I was shocked at the way they treated me.
“I just stood in the window on my own [watching].
“It was a sad day.”
Unfortunately, Melissa has become accustomed to this treatment while out and about, and has decided against attending this years’ festivities.
She added: “People stare and don’t talk to me because of my face tattoos.
“I’ve decided not to go this year.
“I could stand at the back but people would only move away from me.
“My partner will record it on the phone for me instead.
“Missing out on my children’s sports day will be sad.”
While she has hundreds of tattoos adorning her body, she recently admitted she now regrets getting them done.
Melissa said: “I wish I never got them.
“I wear makeup to cover my tattoos every time I go out now.
“I’m sick of people judging me.
“They look at me like I’m crazy and say I ruined my face.
“I think I was pretty before I got tattoos.
“Now, I’m spending a lot of money on makeup like foundation to cover them.
“I’d like to remove my face tattoos but it would cost a lot of money.
“People get scared of me when I’m outside and at the shops, but when I have makeup on they look at me differently.”
Last summer, Melissa says she avoided the beach and public spaces for fear of the judgement she receives when she goes out with her tattoos on show.
She said: “I think my tattoos scare them and parents will also look at me strangely, so it’s usually an awkward outing that I’d rather avoid.
“My ink confuses most people and I don’t care, this is who I am.
“But even so, it can be tiring to have to be on alert for any negative comments or looks.
“So for my wellbeing, I sometimes avoid things I enjoy, like going to the beach or a public pool when it’s sunny.
“It’s a sacrifice I accept and my family accept me for who I am – my kids included.
“But I wish I didn’t have to hide my skin because others can’t accept that we don’t all have to look the same.”
