A heavily tattooed French schoolteacher said he was prevented from teaching kindergarten after a parent complained his appearance scared their child.

Sylvain Helaine, 35, said the parent of a 3-year-old student at the Docteur Morere Elementary School in Palaiseau complained their son had nightmares after seeing him. Although the boy was not in his class, Helaine said he was removed from the classroom for two months and then prohibited from teaching children under the age of 6 years old.

Meet the teacher thought to be France’s most tattooed man

Sylvain, 35, a teacher in France, has spent about $70K having his body covered in designs. He insists the tattoos are not an issue for the children he teaches, who range in age from six to 11.

Helaine said he’s been teaching for more than 12 years and that he’s only had a few comments from parents. He first decided to change his appearance while working in London when he was 27 because he felt he wouldn’t be judged.

He had his tongue and the whites of his eyes surgically blackened and got his first “layer” of tattoos over the course of three and half years.

“For me it’s only one tattoo, one body suit,” he said. “It’s constantly evolving.”

Helaine, who also does acting, modeling and comedy in his spare time, said he was 10 years old when he knew he wanted to be a teacher and hopes to keep doing it.

“Primary school teacher is a job that you want to be forever,” he said. ” I just want people to judge me for my work.”

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