A real life ‘cyborg’ has revealed her controversial look sees people comparing her to an “alien” and treating her like an “exotic accessory”.
Lina Lorenzen, also known by her moniker Cigno, has spent £150,000 (USD 200,000) on extreme body modifications across 80% of her body, including having two horns implanted into her forehead.
She loves her appearance but says reactions from other people can be jarring, with strangers stopping her in the street or calling her names online.
When asked how being a ‘cyborg’ affects her love life, Lina, who used to work in tech but gave up her job to become a tattoo model, says there have “been times where I felt objectified” – with people not seeing who she is “on the inside”.
“People on the street tend to approach me saying they have never seen anyone like me, I’ve been called an alien many times,” Lina told NeedToKnow.co.uk.
“My look is definitely controversially perceived; some admire, some envy, some dislike, some judge and some feel inspired to get tattooed themselves.
“I have literally thanked haters for spending their precious lifetime to write me a long condescending message.
“That’s how you deal with haters – you kill them with kindness.
“People tend to have a certain picture of you and build expectations based on that.
“There is so much more to a person than their internet persona.
“There have definitely been times where I felt objectified or treated as an ‘exotic accessory’ rather than being seen for who I am on the inside.”
Lina, who is from Germany but lives in San Francisco, is devoted to adding more art to her favourite canvas: her body.
She pays trolls no mind and aims to keep going until her whole body is inked – saying she wants a “complete body suit”.
And the tattoo model has plenty of fans too, with over 112,000 followers (@cigno.sg).
She recently shared a post showing a before and after look of herself, taken six years apart, which has left social media users stunned.
In one image, she is blonde with minimal tattoos, wearing pink lingerie, while in the other photo Lina is unrecognisable – covered in ink and with red hair.
She’s since taken her look even further, shaving off her hair and tattooing her scalp.
Lina said: “I have two sub-dermal implants in my forehead that look like horns, made from silicone.
“They are placed under the skin with a small incision.
“I shaved my head a few years back and got my scalp tattooed entirely as well as other parts that are rather uncommon (boobs, bum…).
“I am dedicated to the craft, in private as well as professionally, as I ditched my corporate job to work as a tattoo artist.
“I am aiming to have a complete bodysuit meaning to be tattooed from head-to-toe.
“There’s hardly any empty space left on my skin but I won’t stop until my whole body is covered.”
Lina’s body modification journey ramped up after she lost over three-and-a-half stone.
She considers the weight loss “one of her biggest” transformations.
She said: “My first and one of my biggest transformations was definitely my weight loss a couple of years back.
“I lost over 50 pounds, changed my diet and hit the gym hard.
“It’s like a flip that switched in my head.
“I understood that the only way to truly become whoever you want to be is if you work towards it – every single day.
“This ambition has made it possible that I was able to live and work all over the world.
“Every day is a new chance to become the best version of myself.
“Setbacks couldn’t and can’t stop me.
“My body modifications happened after I had completely transformed my body and mind through fitness and determination.
“It was the cherry on the cake.
“A healthy mindset is just as important as looking the way that is the most appealing to yourself.”
Lina hopes to encourage other people who wish to modify their bodies to embrace their true selves.
She added: “If you undergo such transformation you have to live and embrace it rather than walking around worrying about what they may say.
“I am feeling more myself in my daily life.
“The day I was able to let go of any fear of judgment for my individuality, it felt like I was finally able to express myself freely and confidently.
“I am part of a generation that teaches society to change their thinking, especially under the light of diversity.
“I do feel that I have to prove myself more so than others but I have no problem doing so.
“Truly becoming one with myself and seeing my body as a temple is what changed my life.”
