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As a teenager, Soren Lorenson was unrecognisable compared to how he looks now.

Back then he was yet to call himself the ‘Neon Demon’ and he was still a fresh-faced youngster with big curly hair while his skin was ink-free and his eyeballs were not yet modified.

But he changed his face after his girlfriend’s tragic death – and since then the assistant manager of a pizza restaurant has added 200 tattoos to his body.

READ MORE: Tattoo addict becoming 'black alien' can't get a job as people 'judge' extreme look

Below, we take a glimpse inside his life to see how the Florida based social media star turned into a real-life demon whose body art led to him being abandoned by his family.

Reflecting on his tattoo-less appearance, the 28-year-old told Daily Star: “I still feel a connection to the person that I used to be.

“When I think back and look at old photos I know that I was that person but I feel as if I’ve now evolved into something slightly different.”

And explaining why he began his ink journey, he added: “I got my first tattoo covering my stomach when I first turned 18.

“I've always been very inspired by art and creative expression from across the world. Once I got started I just kept going and I didn't want to stop.”

He started going to extremes after the tragic death of his ex-girlfriend, Courtney, who died in a motorcycle accident.

Grieving, he got the letter C underneath his eye to remember her by before later covering his entire face in tatts.

But the decision to drastically alter his aesthetic was not appreciated by his family.

He said: “My entire extended family hates my tattoos and makes no effort to ever talk to me or reach out ever since I first got the face done.

“My parents love me and support me but have told me numerous times that I need to pray for God's help and that they will never understand me.”

Sorenson has not heeded the advice of his loved ones – and risked upsetting them further after recently blacking out his eyeballs.

And he believes the bizarre modification actually makes him more sociable.

He said: “It was a very positive experience and I have wanted to do it for many many years.

“I'm very happy with who I see when I look in the mirror now. Ever since I was a child, I've always drawn characters with black eyes and eyes without pupils.

“I got it done for myself because I've wanted it my whole life and I knew that I would be happier seeing myself this way.”

He added: “The reactions have actually been the same as always, yet works surprisingly well as a social icebreaker and a good conversation starter.

“So in that sense the eyes assist in making me even more approachable and easier to talk to.”

Despite the positive feedback, his radical look has caused him public humiliation and online abuse.

He said: “Whenever I walk in a room almost every head turns and I immediately hear people start whispering. In the beginning, it was very hard for me and I felt constantly embarrassed and uncomfortable in public.

“These days although I am still hyper aware of everyone looking at me at all times it's just something that I've become comfortable with and have developed a peace about.

“Like I said before, everyone looking and talking about me usually doesn't come from hateful intent, rather just curiosity.

“So I don't mind because I am well aware that I look quite strange compared to the average individual walking around.”

Despite his heartbreaking past, Soren has since found love again and got married in April.

Taking to Instagram to confirm the news, the 'Neon Demon' wrote: “I’m in love, I’m in love and I don’t care who knows it.”

And his new wife, Kailey, added in a separate caption: “My handsome husband.”

Soren’s tattoos have also made him a tabloid favourite and earlier this year he spoke to Daily Star about his most gruelling ink sessions.

He said: “When I first started, I hated the pain and it was more of an obstacle to get past in order to earn the design that I wanted.

“I've always been very inspired by art and creative expression from across the world. Once I got started I just kept going and I didn't want to stop.

“More recently though after getting much bigger work and enduring much longer sessions I discovered that I was starting to enjoy the process and feeling and I'm developing the ability to focus my mind into a somewhat trance-like state.

“It’s been an interesting process that I'm still continuing to explore.

“But to answer the question, each body part is different in terms of pain levels. My stomach, being my first tattoo ever, felt like the worst pain I had ever endured.

“It was as if the needle was penetrating into my abdomen.”

And he added: “My jawline and ribs were similar in a different way.

“Basically because of how thin the skin is in those areas, you can feel the needle reverberating off of the bone resulting in a much harsher teeth gritting sort of feeling.”

Despite his intimidating appearance, his favourite tattoo is a “little kitty cat” on his arm because of his love of felines.

And over the years he has been accused of “ruining his life” by keyboard warriors.

But he said he was happy with the decision he’s made and asked his critics to be more considerate.

He concluded: “Everyone is going through their own journey and life can be long and hard. Be kind and open-minded.

“Just because you may not approve, doesn't mean that person can turn back time or will just stop existing.

“People tell me I've ruined my life, but what should one reply to that?

“We may only move forward and try to live our lives the best we can, finding joy where we can and spreading love.

“I am happy with myself, who I am inside and out. Show love to others and love yourself.”

READ MORE:

• 'We're discriminated against and hated because of our extreme tattoos but we love them'
• Tattooed mum with entire body covered in ink ditches clothes in naked snap
• World's most tattooed woman looks unrecognisable before ink with ex 'who banned them'

• Tattoos
• Transformation

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