Amber Luke, often referred to as “Australia’s most tattooed woman,” has unveiled a striking comparison of her appearance before she embarked on her dramatic body transformation. With nearly every inch of her body covered in tattoos, the model has spent approximately $300,000 on body art, piercings, plastic surgeries, and body modifications, a commitment that has completely transformed her identity over the years.
Known as the “Dragon Girl,” Luke recently shared these before-and-after images, highlighting just how drastically her appearance has evolved since she began her extreme modifications. The photos, shared with IGV, reveal her striking journey and how far she has taken her passion for body art and self-expression.
Despite having covered nearly her entire body in ink, Luke remains determined to continue evolving her look, emphasizing that personal transformation is a lifelong process for her.
“There will never be a point where I am done self-evolving – both inside and outside,” Luke expressed during her interview with IGV. “Call it whatever you want, but I see growth and change as both powerful and beautiful.”
Her devotion to extreme body modification began in her late teens, and her commitment to altering her appearance intensified over the years.
A Life-Changing Decision That Came with Risks
Amber’s fascination with body art led her to one of her most extreme transformations—eyeball tattooing. She revealed that at just 20 years old, she became captivated by the idea after discovering the unique modification online.
“I saw images of it and thought it was so uniquely captivating,” Luke shared. “I knew it was something I was meant to experience.”
Eyeball tattooing, a rare and highly dangerous procedure, involves injecting colored ink into the whites of the eyes using a needle, permanently altering their appearance. Despite its striking visual impact, it carries significant risks, including permanent blindness.
Unfortunately, Luke’s experience with the procedure was far from smooth. A mistake during the process caused her to lose her sight temporarily.
“I was blind for three weeks,” she explained. “It shouldn’t have happened like that. You’re supposed to see right away with no discomfort. Unfortunately, the artist pierced too deep, hitting my retina.”
Although she eventually regained her vision, Luke acknowledged the immense danger involved, stressing that the practice is still largely unregulated and carries significant health risks.
Tattoo Mishaps Along the Way
The challenges of body modification haven’t stopped at her eye tattooing experience. Luke has encountered other complications during her body art journey, including a painful wrist infection from a tattoo done during her teenage years.
Recalling the incident, she explained, “I had a really bad infection from a wrist tattoo when I was just 16. I went swimming with a fresh tattoo, not realizing the risk. It took two rounds of antibiotics and strong painkillers to heal properly. It was definitely a lesson learned the hard way.”
Facing Judgment and Career Challenges
While Luke is proud of her artistic expression, she admits that her heavily tattooed appearance has made certain aspects of life more challenging, particularly when it comes to professional opportunities.
“It affects everything I do,” she shared. “My bodysuit has made it difficult to find traditional work. There’s so much stigma surrounding tattoos, especially visible ones like face, neck, and hand tattoos.”
Luke revealed that many Australian venues and employers still enforce outdated dress codes that discriminate against heavily tattooed individuals. She mentioned being unable to enter certain clubs and social venues due to her ink.
Despite the growing acceptance of body art globally, Luke emphasized that negative stereotypes about tattoos persist, often preventing her from accessing public spaces comfortably.
Public Scrutiny and Emotional Impact
Beyond employment challenges, Luke also faces harsh criticism in public spaces. She recalled moments when complete strangers felt entitled to comment on her appearance negatively.
“I’ve had people come up to me and say things like, ‘You’ve ruined yourself,’ or call me ugly right to my face,” Luke revealed.
However, she remains resilient, calling out the harmful mindset behind these unsolicited judgments.
“Everyone has their own version of beauty,” she said. “There are cultures where people stretch their necks, ears, or lips. What matters is that we respect individual choices. Just because someone doesn’t understand my aesthetic doesn’t give them the right to tear me down.”
A Strong Support System and Self-Love
Despite the criticism from the public, Luke feels fortunate to be surrounded by a strong circle of supportive friends and loved ones who respect her choices.
“I don’t allow people in my life who criticize me for being true to myself. The people closest to me support what I do because they understand it’s part of my personal growth,” she affirmed.
Luke also addressed those who question her choices:
“To those who say I’ve ‘ruined myself,’ remember—beauty is subjective. Not everyone will find my look beautiful, and that’s okay. But it’s never okay to insult someone just because they choose to express themselves differently.”
Reflecting on Her Transformation
Luke recently shared a rare glimpse of her appearance before her extensive tattoo work began, expressing mixed emotions about how much her body has changed over the years.
“I absolutely despise looking at my before photos,” she admitted. “It’s tough because I feel like I lost my visual identity back then. So much time, effort, blood, and pain has gone into creating my bodysuit, and when I see those older pictures, it feels like a different person entirely.”
Her journey, while extreme and unconventional, has clearly been a form of self-discovery and empowerment. Luke continues to embrace her identity and push the boundaries of body modification, all while advocating for acceptance and self-expression.