Most people would never guess that the man with two horns protruding from his forehead and eyes tattooed entirely black spends his days working in the telecommunications industry.
Rolf Buchholz, a resident of Dortmund, Germany, has spent the last two decades transforming his physical form into a walking exhibition of extreme body art. With a Guinness World Record for the most body modifications on a single male, Buchholz’s appearance challenges the boundaries of human physiology, yet his life remains surprisingly grounded in the ordinary routine of a 9-to-5 job.
A Late Start to a Global Record
Unlike many enthusiasts who begin experimenting with tattoos in their youth, Buchholz did not receive his first piece of body art until he was 40 years old. That first tattoo in late 1999 ignited a rapid and intense fascination with modification.
Within a decade, he had accumulated enough alterations to earn his first Guinness World Record in 2010 for the most piercings on a male. By 2012, his title was updated to recognize him for the most body modifications in total. Official counts from that verification documented 516 distinct alterations, a number that includes piercings, implants, and scarification.
An Inventory of Iron and Ink
The distribution of Buchholz’s 481 piercings is specific and staggering. His face is pierced 127 times, with 94 of those rings located in and around his lips, 25 in his eyebrows, and 8 in his nose. However, the vast majority of his metalwork is hidden from public view; he famously confirmed that 278 of his piercings are located in his genital area.
Beyond the metal, his modifications include 35 subdermal implants—silicone shapes placed under the skin—most notably the two horns on his forehead. He has also magnetically enhanced his body by implanting five magnets into his fingertips, allowing him to sense electromagnetic fields and pick up small metal objects. His tongue is surgically split, and his eyeballs are tattooed pitch black.
Denied Entry for “Black Magic”
In August 2014, Buchholz made headlines globally when he was deported from the United Arab Emirates. He had traveled to Dubai to appear at the Cirque le Soir nightclub in the Fairmont Hotel. Although immigration officers initially stamped his passport, he was stopped before he could leave the airport.
Workers confiscated his passport and eventually placed him on a flight to Istanbul. While the official statement cited unspecified “security reasons,” Buchholz reported that airport staff told him the authorities feared he practiced “black magic” due to his horns and extensive piercings.
Suspension and Daily Life
When not working his telecommunications job or traveling for conventions, Buchholz participates in body suspension. This practice involves piercing the skin with temporary metal hooks and hanging from them, often for extended periods.
Despite the extreme nature of his hobbies and his intimidating appearance, Buchholz insists his life is normal. He has stated in interviews that the modifications have only changed his exterior, not his character or his ability to function in society.
In 2014, Dubai airport officials stopped a German man at customs.
Despite a valid visa, they deported him, fearing he practiced "black magic." The traveler was Rolf Buchholz, who arrived with two horns implanted in his forehead and over 100 piercings visible on his face alone. pic.twitter.com/JljiLZORtd
— Fascinating True Stories (@FascinatingTrue) February 12, 2026