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The heavily tattooed educator, now 40, made the revelation during an appearance on ITV’s This Morning, where he spoke with presenters Dermot O’Leary and Sian Welby about his appearance, his teaching career and his passion for body art.
Helaine, who has spent nearly two decades working in classrooms in the UK and his native France, began his tattoo journey in 2012 at the age of 27.
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He explained that his interest in tattoos started after he saw someone with a full sleeve, an experience that inspired him to get his first tattoo on his arm. He gradually added more tattoos, revealing that he had always wanted to cover his body.
Speaking about how pupils and their families react to his appearance, Helaine said he sometimes faces different expectations before people get to know him.
Asked whether his appearance makes it difficult to find work, he explained that children and their families usually become comfortable with him after spending some time around him.
“It always takes two minutes for children to accept me, two hours for the parents, and two days for grandparents. So it just takes a little bit of time.”
The teacher also stressed that he does not allow his tattoos to interfere with his work, explaining that lessons remain focused on learning rather than his appearance.
“I don’t talk about my tattoos and my appearance at all when we are in the classroom. We just work, we take out our exercise book, write out the date, and it goes like that. I’m really serious. But if they have some questions to ask me, they can wait for the playground, for example.”
Helaine also disclosed that his body modifications go beyond the tattoos covering much of his skin. He said the whites of his eyes are completely black and revealed that his belly button and nipples have been removed.
According to him, the removals were intended to create a smoother skin surface, making it easier for him to continue getting tattoos. He has also had tattoos on his tongue and underneath the nails on both his hands and feet.
Despite his enthusiasm for body art, Helaine admitted that he dislikes the pain that comes with each session.
“I hate the pain. I hate getting tattooed.”
He further explained that although he feels anxious before appointments and dislikes the discomfort, he enjoys seeing the changes to his appearance.
“I love evolving. I love seeing myself evolving. You suffer, and I really hate the pain and am counting the days to the next tattoo session. I’m really anxious. I don’t want to go, but at the end of the tattoo session, I’m really proud, and I feel invincible.”
