Diabão: What He Looked Like Before His Extreme Transformation
Over the years, I’ve seen plenty of jaw-dropping physical transformations — from people covered head to toe in ink to massive weight loss journeys. But few compare to Michel “Diabão” Praddo, whose obsession with body modification may make him the most radically altered person alive.
After seeing his “before” photos, I’m convinced: he takes the title.
Horns, Tattoos, and Beyond
Michel Faro do Prado, a Brazilian man from São Paulo known as “Diabão” or “The Big Devil,” is considered one of the most modified individuals in the world. For him, altering his appearance is more than aesthetic — it’s a lifestyle and an identity. He has no problem sharing his dark, surreal transformation journey with his over 300,000 Instagram followers.
Michel shot into the spotlight a few years ago when he began uploading images of his dramatic look. People dubbed him “the human Satan” — and when they saw the full extent of his changes, many were left stunned.
Roughly 85% of his body is tattooed. He’s undergone horn implants, removed parts of his ears, filed and altered his teeth, and restructured his facial features to fully embody his devil-inspired persona.
Speaking in 2020, Michel explained that he has a high threshold for pain and is always willing to endure more discomfort to reach his goals. He told the New York Post that while the surgeries themselves are tolerable, the pain afterward is worse: “There are changes that would be nearly impossible without anesthesia,” he admitted. Still, he adds, “If pain is the price of transformation, I’m ready to pay it.”
Becoming the “Human Devil”
For many, the label “human Satan” might be offensive or frightening — but not to Michel. “I think the devil is actually a beautiful figure,” he said. “Genesis and Isaiah describe Jesus as plain-looking, a dry root in the desert. So if fiction says the Devil looks more like me, that’s fine. In my heart, I still choose good and believe in God.”
Despite his drastic appearance, Michel’s desire to push the limits of body modification hasn’t slowed down. His extensive changes include silicone enhancements, scarification, subdermal implants, and removal of his ears, nose, navel, and nipples.
Other procedures include a forked and tattooed tongue, a split mouth, chrome dental implants, liposuction, and abdominal surgery.
Voluntarily Removed His Fingers
In one of his most shocking decisions yet, Michel confirmed he amputated both his pinky and ring fingers to make his hands resemble claws.
He now holds the Guinness World Record for most horn implants in a human skull. He has reportedly undergone over 60 separate procedures — a number that continues to grow.
“It was surreal and deeply emotional,” Michel told G1 about earning the record and traveling to Europe. “There were moments where I was moved to tears.”
He credits much of his evolution to his wife, Carol — known in the media as “Mulher Demonia” or “Demon Woman” — who is also heavily modified. Together, they run a tattoo studio and share a son.
From Hippie to Icon
Born in Santos, a city on the São Paulo coast, Michel joined the hippie movement in the ‘90s and began backpacking across Brazil. “That’s when I got my first tattoo — a tribal piece on my right arm,” he said.
Eventually, he settled in Praia Grande, married his first wife, and had two children. He became a professional tattoo artist in the mid-2000s, noting how difficult it was to make a living from tattooing in the early days.
Later, he met Carol, fell in love, and they’ve been together for over 15 years. Although she was hesitant about his more extreme body modifications at first, they now share the same passion and live fully immersed in that world.
More Than Skin Deep
To Michel, these changes aren’t just about appearance. They represent a deeper transformation — a rejection of societal norms and a declaration of freedom. He sees his ever-evolving look as a way to fully express who he is inside, constantly pushing boundaries and defying expectations.
What He Used to Look Like
From time to time, Michel shares throwback photos on his Instagram, showing what he looked like before the tattoos, implants, and surgeries. These posts often draw intense reactions from his followers.
“I don’t get how anyone could go this far,” one person wrote. “Even if you try to reverse it, there will always be scars. You’ll never truly go back to who you were.”
But others expressed support and admiration.
“The point is to look completely different,” another user replied. “The further you get from who you were, the more relieved you feel. Not everyone wants to hold on to their original face. I wouldn’t go that far myself, but I can understand the mindset.”