Turning trauma into art, Brazilian tattoo artist gives women reason to smile

Tattoo artist Karlla Mendes (right) attends to Valeria Festa, as part of the "We are Diamonds" project, which gives free tattoos for women with scars caused by domestic violence, accidents or medical reasons, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Photo: Reuters

Brazilian women wounded by burns and other physical trauma can now seek out relief from a tattoo artist on a mission to ink over the scars, transforming lingering reminders of pain with beautiful butterflies, flowers and animals.

The studio of Sao Paulo tattoo artist Karlla Mendes has already applied its skill to more than 150 women in the Brazilian megacity with its 'We Are Diamonds' project.