Pete Davidson used to look like a human doodle pad. If you followed his Saturday Night Live run or saw him in The King of Staten Island, you know the look: ink everywhere. From a Shark on his chest to a "Cursed" neck piece and even some questionable Spongebob art, the guy was a walking gallery of over 200 tattoos.
But lately, things look... different.
If you've seen the 2025 Reformation campaign or caught him on a late-night talk show recently, you probably noticed the skin on his arms and neck looks surprisingly clear. So, did Pete Davidson remove his tattoos? The short answer is yes—but the long answer involves a staggering $200,000 bill, five years of "horrible" laser sessions, and a deeply personal reason for wanting a clean slate.
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Why Pete Decided to Ditch the Ink
Honestly, it wasn't just one thing. It was a mix of career annoyance and a major shift in his mental health.
Back in 2020, Pete started talking about how much of a "pain in the ass" it was to be an actor with 200 tattoos. He told Seth Meyers that he had to show up to film sets three or four hours earlier than everyone else just to sit in a makeup chair. Imagine having to get airbrushed for three hours before you even start an 12-hour workday. It's exhausting.
But as time went on, the reason got heavier.
During an interview with Variety, Pete got real about his past. He admitted that a lot of those tattoos were symbols of a "sad boy" era. "I used to be a drug addict and I was a sad person," he said. "When I look in the mirror, I don't want the reminder of, 'Oh yeah, you were a f—king drug addict.'" For Pete, the removal wasn't just about aesthetics; it was about outgrowing a version of himself he no longer recognized.
The Brutal Reality of the Removal Process
People think laser removal is like a magic eraser. It’s not. It’s actually more like a slow, expensive torture session.
Pete hasn't sugarcoated it. He describes the sensation as "putting your arm on a grill and burning off a layer." Here is the breakdown of why this has taken him over five years:
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- The Pain Factor: Pete says the laser is significantly worse than the actual tattooing process.
- The Healing Time: Each session requires about six to eight weeks of healing. During that time, you can't even get in the sunlight.
- The Volume: We are talking about 200 tattoos. Even with a massive budget, you can't do them all at once without destroying your skin.
- The Cost: As of early 2026, sources close to the comedian say he has spent upwards of $200,000 on the process.
He basically has to cram sessions in between filming schedules. If he has a movie role, he can't have a giant, blistering laser burn on his arm, so the process stalls. It's a logistical nightmare.
What’s Actually Gone (and What’s Staying)
As of his most recent updates in late 2025 and early 2026, Pete isn't 100% ink-free, but he’s close to his goal of a "clean slate" for his most visible areas.
The Clear Zones
His hands, neck, and arms are the priority. He told People that he wanted to be able to wear a T-shirt and not see anything sticking out. If you look at high-res photos from his recent public appearances, the heavy black ink on his forearms has faded into faint, ghostly shadows. Most of the "visible" tattoos—the ones that caused the most trouble in the makeup chair—are effectively gone or 70% faded.
The Keepers
Interestingly, Pete isn't going for a total 100% wipeout. He has mentioned he might keep "two or three" that actually mean something to him. Specifically, he has expressed a desire to keep the tattoos dedicated to his family—like those honoring his late father, Scott Davidson, a firefighter who passed away on 9/11. He also famously joked about keeping his Hillary Clinton tattoo, though the status of that one is always a bit up in the air depending on which interview you watch.
The "New" Pete Davidson Aesthetic
By the time he hit 31, Pete's transformation was jarring. In the 2025 Reformation Valentine's Day campaign, he appeared nearly unrecognizable to long-time fans. He looked healthy, sober, and—for the first time in his public life—minimalist.
This "rebrand" coincides with a more stable chapter in his life. After various stints in rehab and a very public journey with sobriety, the lack of tattoos seems to represent a "grown-up" version of Pete. He's no longer the kid who gets a Spongebob tattoo because he was high watching Game of Thrones.
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Thinking About Following in His Footsteps?
If you're looking at Pete and thinking about clearing your own "canvas," there are a few things to keep in mind that the celebrity lifestyle tends to hide.
- It’s a Marathon: Pete started this in 2020. It is now 2026, and he is still "finishing up" his arms. If you have a sleeve, expect it to take years, not months.
- The "Ghost" Effect: Even after $200k, some ink leaves a "ghost" image. It’s rare to get back to 100% "baby skin" texture unless you have access to the absolute top-tier dermatologists in Beverly Hills.
- The "Sad Boy" Rule: Pete’s best advice? Think about a tattoo for a few years before getting it. Your feelings at 20 are rarely your feelings at 30.
Pete Davidson's tattoo removal is one of the most visible examples of "identity shedding" we've seen in Hollywood. He’s literally burning off his past to make room for a different kind of future. Whether he ends up completely "clean" or keeps a few sentimental pieces, the message is clear: he's done being the guy covered in jokes.
Actionable Takeaways for Tattoo Removal
- Consult a specialist, not just a spa: Pete uses medical-grade lasers that minimize scarring.
- Budget for 10+ sessions: Most tattoos require a double-digit number of treatments to fully disappear.
- Prioritize areas: Do what Pete did—start with the hands and neck if you're looking for professional "readability" first.
- Manage expectations: Older, black ink comes off easier than vibrant blues, greens, or "new" stubborn inks.
The process is long, it's expensive, and it's painful. But for Pete Davidson, the $200,000 price tag was worth the feeling of finally looking in the mirror and seeing the person he is today, rather than the "sad person" he used to be.
Next Steps: If you are considering laser removal, look for clinics using PicoSure or PicoWay technology, as these are the current industry standards for breaking down complex ink pigments with minimal skin damage. Always ask for a patch test first to see how your specific skin reacts to the laser's intensity.