‘Most tattooed woman in the world’ with 99.8 percent of body covered explains why she did it

The most tattooed woman in the world, whose body is 99.8 percent covered in tats, has explained why she decided to coat herself in ink.

Esperance Fuerzina, 36, from Connecticut, has tattoos all over her body - from her scalp right down to the soles of her feet.

She's even inked some of the most sensitive parts of the body, including her eyelids, eyeballs, gums, tongue and genitals.

Esperance Fuerzina has tattoos all over her body (SWNS)

After growing up in a military family and living all over the States as well as Japan, Fuerzina, who is an army veteran, got her first tattoo when she was 21.

Some 15 years on and she now holds the record for the woman with the most tattoos as well as the most body modifications in history.

Not only did Fuerzina split her tongue in 2014, she's also had 15 subdermal implants, several piercings and some other rather unique mods, too.

These include removing both of her nipples, injecting her split tongue with ink and doing the same to her inner labia.

Many people with tattoos find that once they have one, they're often left wanting more, but with barely an inch left on Fuerzina's body, many have wondered why she decided to get so many.

But the answer is really quite simple.

Explaining that she treats her skin like a canvas, Fuerzina's decision stemmed from her being in the military.

Having become accustomed to travelling light, instead of carrying around sentimental items such as photos, she inked them on her skin instead.

"I have had a pretty nomadic life, and not much room in my [army] pack, I felt I could take this with me wherever I go. It's just a small moment for something I can keep for life," she said.

She currently holds the world record (SWNS)

Despite having only 0.2 percent of her body left without tats, Fuerzina has said she's not done yet.

Speaking of the Guinness World Record she's achieved, she explained: "I was initially a little apprehensive.

"But I wanted to try to showcase the strength of women, and what's possible, by applying for the record myself.

"Initially, beginning my journey wasn't something I ever thought possible and, in the course of being myself, it became a reality... though holding the record is still sinking in.

"My aim for many years has been moving towards cohesiveness, so ultimately, I love the flow being generated as a whole.

"It's just a small moment for something I can keep for life."