A heavily tattooed dad says other parents keep their kids away from him because of his ink.
Tattoo artist Karl Roy, 44, got his first tattoo when he was just 14-years-old and it sparked a life-long love of ink, which has even resulted in him getting his eyeballs tattooed.
Roy, from Quebec in Canada, ordered a tattoo machine out of a magazine while he was still a teen and tattooed himself in secret.
Now, the dad of four, is covered in tattoos and in 2016 even had his eyeballs tattooed, which could have left him blind.
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Roy, who owns a tattoo parlour with his partner Amy Lee, 28, says that while his friends and family support his unusual look, strangers can get pretty nasty with some trolls even messaging him telling him to kill himself.
Roy said: "Unlike my older brother who followed in our father's footsteps by becoming a police officer, I went my way.
"I was only fourteen when I got my first tattoo. I saw a tattoo machine in a magazine and secretly ordered it without my parents knowing.
"I received my machine and was impatiently waiting for my parents to be away from the house so that I could try it out on myself.
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"I tattooed a huge tribal dragon on my calf.
"In my teens I moved into my parents' basement and started working hard to improve my artwork.
"I got my first face tattoos in my early twenties and over the years it has been an evolutionary process.
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"I completed my face tattoos in my late thirties and am currently almost finishing my body.
"I discovered eyeball tattooing through body modification groups on social media and it was a modification that fascinated me immediately. It was a continuation of my evolution.
"My parents and friends have always supported me but haven't always understood my choices.
"They would often ask If I was going to be able to get a good job or make a good living.
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"Today however, I run my own studio with my partner, I am fully fulfilled and those close to me now see me beaming.
"Those around me are proud of my progress and know that I am in my element in my studio.
"Some strangers say horrible things like 'What example are you setting for children?' and 'you should kill yourself'.
"Earlier in my life, these types of comments would have made me feel really angry, but I'm much more mellow these days.
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"I now often approach negative or curious people by giving them a business card whilst smiling.
"It's my way of breaking down their prejudices, all in a polite and respectful manner.
"Seeing the surprise on the faces of our children's friends always makes me smile.
"We are the super cool parents in the eyes of our kids' friends which is quite funny.
"Some parents keep their children away and even say that I should be ashamed of the way I look.
"Often it is the parents who are more scared of the way I look than their children.
"It's fear of the unknown that makes people judge others quickly and for children this unknown does not exist."
The tattoo enthusiast urges others to think carefully before going under the needle.
He added: "Any type of body modification should not be taken lightly.
"It is important to inform yourself well, take the time to reflect and get in touch with professionals.
"Never shop for the best deal or because a tattoo artist is cheap.
"Educate yourself and follow your intuition. Don't buy a tattoo machine out of a magazine."
Featured Image Credit: Media Drum World