Former gang members react to seeing themselves without tattoos

They may have put their life of crime behind them, these former gang members can't escape their past entirely.

Tattoos cover these ex-crims, head to toe from when they were part of gangs or in prison - a time they wish they could forget while trying to forge their new lives.

Photo / Steve Burton

That's where photographer Steven Burton comes in. 

Burton took a series of photographs of these men - many of whom have large facial tattoos - and photoshopped off their permanent markings.

Photo / Steve Burton

Burton's project, Skin Deep: Looking Beyond The Tattoos, pairs the unbelievable before and after photos with emotional interviews with the inked-up men.

Photo / Steve Burton

The ex-gang member's reaction to seeing what they would look like without their tattoos is truly powerful.

Watch their reactions below: