Brazilian tattoo artist Diabao Praddo, who was once known by his birth name Michel, has taken his already extreme body modifications to yet another level. Recently, he underwent a procedure to remove two more fingers from his left hand, an act that further advances his transformation into what he describes as an “alien-like figure.” The result of this radical surgery is a distinctive claw-shaped appearance, making him look even further removed from ordinary human form.
Often nicknamed the “Human Satan”, Praddo has been on this unconventional journey for years. At 50 years old, the artist from Praia Grande, Brazil, has already amputated fingers on his right hand and has endured more than one hundred different body modification procedures. His long list of transformations includes splitting his tongue down the middle, completely removing his ears and nose, and even engaging in shocking acts such as consuming one of his own nipples. To Praddo, each procedure is more than an experiment—it is a deliberate step toward reshaping himself into something that defies human boundaries.
Visually, Praddo is almost unrecognizable compared to his former self. His skin is nearly a canvas of its own; about 85 percent of his entire body is covered in tattoos, creating a striking visual presence that immediately sets him apart. Adding to this transformation, he proudly holds a Guinness World Record for having the most subdermal horn implants on a human head—33 in total—which protrude beneath his skin, giving him a devilish, otherworldly silhouette. To him, these procedures are not random acts of rebellion but rather carefully chosen steps that represent his personal evolution and his vision of becoming “less human.”
Despite the physical risks and the controversies surrounding his lifestyle, Praddo has continued to maintain his career as a tattoo artist. Early on, he feared that his drastic hand surgeries—especially the removal of his fingers—might limit or even end his ability to work. But to his own surprise, he quickly adapted, finding new ways to maneuver his modified hands to continue creating art. Though he occasionally struggles with phantom pain, he accepts this discomfort as part of the price he must pay for transformation.
For Praddo, pain is not a deterrent but an essential part of his philosophy. “It’s a price I’m willing to pay,” he explained in an interview, emphasizing that his pursuit of transformation is not about seeking shock or controversy—it is about total dedication to his vision of identity, no matter the physical or emotional toll.
Importantly, Praddo’s journey has never been a solitary one. His wife, Carol Praddo, known as the “Demon Woman”, has been by his side for more than a decade. Not only has she supported him emotionally, but she has also supervised many of his procedures, becoming both a partner and a witness to his evolving identity. Together, they embody an unusual yet deeply committed partnership, built on shared values of devotion, endurance, and self-expression.
As a couple, their goal goes beyond personal satisfaction. They aspire for Diabao to eventually be recognized globally as the most modified person in the world. For them, it is a combined mission that blends artistry, pain, love, and ambition into one extraordinary pursuit.
In Praddo’s own words, his changes are not about gaining attention or shocking society. Instead, they are about embodying a vision of transformation, a statement of what it means to strip away elements of humanity in order to become something entirely new. For him, the journey continues—step by step, procedure by procedure—toward a body and identity that reflect his belief in what it means to be “less human.”