I’ve witnessed quite a number of astonishing body transformations throughout the years — from individuals adorned with tattoos to those who have shed a considerable amount of weight.
But the real question is, could Michel “Diabão” Praddo be the ultimate enthusiast of body modification, claiming the title for the most extreme transformation?
After viewing his before photos, I’m inclined to agree.
Horn implants.
Brazilian Michel Faro do Prado, famously known as “Diabão” (Big Devil), stands out as one of the most heavily modified individuals in the world. For him, body modifications play a crucial role in his identity, and he openly shares his intriguing journey with his 300,000 Instagram followers.
A few years back, he captured significant attention when he began sharing images of himself. People dubbed him “the human Satan,” and when they discovered the extent of his body modifications, they were left in disbelief.
Diabão’s skin is adorned with tattoos, with an estimated 85% of his body covered in ink. Additionally, he has undergone horn implants and has had the outer parts of his ears removed. To enhance his devilish appearance, he has even customized his teeth.
Michel, hailing from São Paulo, mentioned in 2020 that he possesses a high tolerance for pain and is not discouraged by the thought of enduring more discomfort to achieve his ideal ‘devil’ physique.
He noted, as reported by the New York Post, that he ‘suffers a lot more’ after the procedures than during them, adding: ‘The truth is that there are changes that would be nearly impossible to make without anesthesia.’
‘If I have to endure pain to attain what I desire, I will definitely confront it!’
The Human Satan.
For many, the title ‘the human Satan’ might come off as a bit disturbing — certainly not a nickname I would want. However, Michel embraces his title. ‘I believe that the true representation of the ‘devil’ is beautiful,’ he states.
‘The Bible mentions this in Genesis and similarly in the book of Isaiah, which indicates that Jesus was not attractive, that he resembled a dry root in the desert.’
‘He did not possess any beauty, so if it’s a fictional notion that the Devil resembles me more, in my heart, I choose God and doing good!’
Despite Michel’s drastic body transformations, he appears to have an ongoing desire for further modifications. He certainly has no intention of halting his body alterations anytime soon. Praddo’s primary body modifications consist of silicone implants, scarification, transdermal implants, and the removal of his nose, ears, navel, and nipples.
Additional modifications include a tattooed and forked tongue, splitting the sides of his mouth, a chrome dental implant, liposuction, and an abdominoplasty.
He amputated his pinky and ring fingers.
Recently, he surprised his fans by announcing that he would be amputating his pinky and ring fingers to turn his hands into claws.
He currently holds the Guinness World Record for having the most ‘horns’ on his head and, as reported by Mirror, he has gone through more than 60 body-modifying procedures. This has generated a significant amount of reaction.
“It was an incredibly special and surreal experience. Achieving a spot in the Guinness World Records and traveling to Europe felt like a dream realized. There were moments when I was overwhelmed with emotion, tears welling up in my eyes,” he shared with G1.
Michel sees his appearance as a testament to his personal journey, with his wife Carol being instrumental in its development. Together, they have a son and operate their own tattoo studio. Carol is also recognized for her significant body modifications, which have led the media to dub her “Mulher Demonia” (Demon Woman).
Born in Santos.
Michel hails from Santos, located on the coast of São Paulo. He recounted that during his teenage years in the 1990s, he became part of the hippie movement and traveled extensively across Brazil. “I got my first tattoo during that time. It was a tribal design on my right arm,” he recalled.
A few years later, he chose to settle in Praia Grande.
Michel was previously married (to another woman before meeting Carol Praddo) and has two children. He transitioned into a professional tattoo artist in the mid-2000s, stating, “Prior to that, it was quite challenging to earn a living through tattooing.”
Already well-established in his city and career, he fell in love with Carol Praddo, who would later be known as the ‘Demon Woman.’ The couple has shared 15 years together and is deeply engaged in the realm of body modifications. However, when their relationship first began, his partner was not initially supportive of the idea.
Michel believes that his appearance transcends mere physical alterations — it represents his evolving identity. For him, these modifications are a symbol of the internal freedom he experiences, enabling him to challenge societal norms and break free from conventional standards. He views his look as a means to express his true self, constantly pushing boundaries and defying imposed expectations.
How Diabão looked before.
On his Instagram, he sometimes shares images of his previous appearance, which has prompted many to question his significant transformations.
‘I just can’t comprehend how someone can alter their body to such a degree. There’s no turning back. If you attempt to reverse this, you’ll still have scars and disfigurement. You’ll never return to your former self and will have to live with this for the rest of your life,’ one commenter expressed.
Conversely, there are those who commend him and stand by his choices.
“The goal is to not resemble your previous appearance. Individuals who undergo numerous modifications aim to distance themselves from their former looks, finding comfort in their increasingly different appearances,” another individual commented, adding:
“Personally, I wouldn’t go to this extent because I usually appreciate my current look, but that hasn’t always been true for me. I can empathize with someone in this situation and understand their perspective.”