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A firefighter tattooed on 90 percent of his body said he couldn’t imagine life without getting inked – even though critics say he looks criminal.
Andreas Stauffiger, 44, from Zurich, Switzerland, has more than 100 tattoos on his body, ten piercings, a tattoo of his eyeballs and a split tongue.
The pastry chef and volunteer firefighter estimates he has spent around £26,000 on his ink over the years.
Andreas has always enjoyed tattooing and body modifications, starting as early as possible, a few months after his 18th birthday.
He chose a dolphin tattoo on his right arm. He says he loves this tattoo and would “do it again every time.”
Andreas Stauffiger, 44, from Zurich Switzerland, has more than 100 tattoos on his body, ten piercings, a tattoo of his eyeballs and a split tongue
‘My last mod was a split tongue and my last tattoo was a little dragon,’ Andreas said, ‘It’s so fresh and still healing.
My transformation began 26 years ago but is by no means over yet. I guess it will never end, I imagine I will always have some tweaks.
I currently have ten piercings, with six more planned now, I have an unknown number of tattoos. It is almost a complete suit. I think it’s over 100 single tattoos on my skin.
If I had to put a number on it I’d think I’d spent £26,000 but that’s just a number, the real amount is unknown.
‘I currently have ten holes, with six more planned now,’ said Andreas, here pictured with clips on the back.
The pastry chef and volunteer firefighter got his first tattoo a few months after his 18th birthday
Although things haven’t always been easy, Andreas has received criticism for his toned physique – some people have even likened him to a criminal.
Most people tell me they are a little suspicious of me at first because of my looks but that is usually just until they get to know me better. And that’s totally fine. I am a very calm person and it is almost impossible to convince me to get angry.
Kids look at me with big open eyes and say “Who is this?” They have real wonder, so kids are often more receptive.
“Older people seem to like me and are very open to body modifications.”
When I put on my firefighter uniform and be on duty. The victims or the civilians didn’t notice Habré at first, and it usually comes much later, Andreas said
‘It’s unique because the first time they see there’s something different about me isn’t always right away, and some people just don’t catch my eye,’ said the 44-year-old.
But when he saves lives, people don’t seem to notice his tattooed body at first sight.
When I put on my firefighter uniform and be on duty. The victims or the civilians didn’t notice Habré at first, and it usually comes much later, Andreas said.
I was not treated any differently during the rescue and I believe it was because of the uniform and helmet.
I think in scary situations, it’s very easy for them to overlook any ink they can see. In my experience, victims are just happy to get help.
With 90 percent of his body tattooed, Andreas says he likes to test his limits, adding, “I’m someone who doesn’t think about what could happen if I did something I tend to do, what’s the worst that could happen?”
‘I’m not treated any differently during a rescue and I think it’s because of the uniform and the helmet,’ said the person who was signed.
The pastry chef is pictured here before changing his ink, which he says happened over time
I’ve always felt like a normal guy, before until now it’s normal for me, tattoos, piercings and mods belong to me now, and I can’t imagine life without them.
Andreas has many body modifications and it wasn’t always a painless process.
Some of his adjustments might be a little unsettling, even to those close to him.
‘Oddly enough, the eyeball tattoo was very easy for me during the procedure,’ he said. It wasn’t painful at all, it got annoying for a few days after that.
The tongue slit was very rough due to swelling. Can’t eat or drink anything for about three days, it’s even hard to talk.
With 90 percent of his body tattooed, Andreas says he loves to test his limits. In the photo: Andreas doing martial arts
Andreas said he could not eat or speak for three days after his tongue split and that it was difficult to speak
“My mum and dad were never happy about it, but they accepted me and my decision to do this,” Andreas said.
I think my face tattoo and my eyeball tattoo are probably the two reactions I get the most.
“My face tattoo is very polarizing usually the first moment you meet me people are surprised. Once they get to know me better, they are more charming and open to asking questions about it.
“My eyeball tattoo is very special. I often hear ‘I really like it, I would never dare do that, but I really like it.’”
It’s unique because the first time they see that something is different about me isn’t always right away, and some people just don’t catch my eye.
‘My face tattoos are usually very polarizing the first moment you meet me, people are surprised,’ he said.
The volunteer firefighter says he plans to get six more holes and he already has ten
Andreas chose a dolphin tattoo on his right arm as his first edit. He says he loves this tattoo and would “do it again every time.”
Andreas said: ‘My mum died of cancer, and we haven’t really discussed this. To this day I am upset about it
‘Oddly enough, the eyeball tattoo was very easy for me during the procedure,’ he said. It wasn’t painful at all and even unpleasant for a few days afterwards.
Speaking of civilians’ reactions to his tattoos when he’s on duty as a firefighter, he said, “I think in a scary situation it’s very easy for them to overlook any ink they can see.” Pictured: Andreas at a fire drill
“Now you see me ink, piercing, and alterations all at once. But for my dad it was piece by piece.
My mom and dad were never happy about it, but they did accept me and my decision to do it.
However, it was difficult for both of them to understand my face tattoo. My mom died of cancer, and we never really discussed that. To this day I am upset about it.
“My father has accepted me, and he also sees that I live my life, that I have a job and that I am a member of society.”
I love my tattooed body – but people say I look like a criminal