A mum who jokes that she's " addicted " to getting tattoos has been banned from all the pubs in her local area - because the 'posh' customers are scared of her appearance. Melissa Sloan, 45, says she "can't get a job" because of the designs that cover most of her body, including her face. She's been inked so many times that she's lost count of the tattoos she has.
Over the years, she's spent countless hours under the needle and she's even started going over her old designs as she's run out of space - but while others might give up at this point, Melissa's not done yet. Recently she had five crosses inked onto her face - some of which are upside down - to "keep the haters away" after plenty of funny looks on the street from strangers.
Previously, Melissa shared how she struggled to get a job due to her extensive inkings, but now she's revealed that she can't even go into pubs in her local area as the landlords think she scares away custom.
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The mum-of-two, from Wales, said: "I've had some new ones put on, I've had some crosses put on my face - I've had some normal and some upside down, I've got about five on there.
"I want more but I don't have time at the moment. I got it to keep the haters away, it does work - I get more stares now but it keeps them away.
"I'm going to get crosses to cover all my face, I know that's a bit crazy but that's who I am. I enjoy getting stamped - that's what I call getting tattooed. I do it every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and Sunday because Sundays are boring."
Melissa said she chooses those days to get tattoos as that's when her children are at school so she has enough free time to get under the needle.
Tattoos have become more expensive in recent years, and to save cash Melissa often does them "prison style" at home with her own equipment.
She continued: "My children love my tattoos, they don't know no different.
"They've seen pictures of me without tattoos on my face and they prefer me now. They help me choose which tattoos to get.
"They want to get tattoos too now, but they don't have any yet as they're only eight and ten. They have stick-ons for now, but when they're old enough I'll let them get tattoos.
"I won't stop 'til I drop on the floor.
"I still can't get a job because of my tattoos, I can't even go into pubs around here because of it - they say it's offensive, they don't like it - it upsets them in the posh pubs. I take no notice."
Melissa does some of the tattoos herself, and some are completed by her boyfriend.
Speaking previously, she said: "I go with the flow, whatever I like I put on my face. I go with the inspiration, There's space left so I'll put it on. It's free, I do it myself - or my boyfriend does it, he's been trained to do it - he's been doing it for years.
"We have our own machine and everything, it keeps the cost down.
"It's expensive now isn't it, I'm having the cross tomorrow - that would cost £60-70 at a tattooist but it will only cost me ink now, which is about £10 a bottle and a needle which is £10 a box, so I guess it will cost me about £1.
"I've got too many tattoos now, too many to count. I've gone over ones I've already had.
"I get adrenaline from it, I get a buzz, and I feel brilliant, then it wears off again in a couple of days' time and I do it again.
"People call me Crazy Melissa, but I just feel like Melissa - that's who I am. If they don't like it, they don't have to look at me - I take no notice. There are some judgemental people out there, they judge you whatever. People stare at me, you get used to it."
The woman's tattoo collection includes bold flower designs, an England flag on her face and a big Kray twins piece inked on her leg, as well as one dedicated to Playboy bunnies and cartoon marijuana leaves on her head - with more to come.
Speaking previously to the Daily Star, Melissa said: "I have three tattoos a week. It's like when you have a fag or a drink, you get addicted. I can't stop it now, it's addictive, for me anyway. I just can't stop it.
"I carry the [tattoo] gun around with me in the boot, I'll get one in the car or anywhere."
On struggling to hold down a job, Melissa added: "The first job I had was cleaning ages ago, cleaning toilets. People have said I have never had a job in my life, I have had one once and it didn't last long.
"But, if someone offered me a job tomorrow I would go and work – I would take that offer.
"I expected this in life, I can't fit in with people as I like to be me and I'm always going to be myself.
"They don't have to listen to me. But I'm not going anywhere."
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