The internet practically short-circuited in early 2025. It started with a photo. Pete Davidson shirtless, grinning, and looking—for the first time in over a decade—totally blank. No SpongeBob. No "Swag" on the chest. No "Zuma" on the neck. Just skin.
It was for a Reformation Valentine's Day campaign. People lost it. One Twitter user famously compared him to a "Trader Joe's bag that finally got all the stickers peeled off." But if you actually look at the timeline, the "naked" look isn't exactly what it seems.
There is a huge gap between the polished ad campaigns we see on Instagram and the reality of Pete's body today in 2026. If you've seen him lately, you know the journey to a "clean slate" is way messier than a Photoshopped marketing spread.
The Truth About the Tattoo Removal
Pete started this whole "burning them off" thing back in 2020. Why? Because sitting in a makeup chair for three hours every time he had a movie role was ruining his life. Imagine waking up at 4:00 AM just so a professional can paint over your mistakes with heavy-duty concealer.
Honestly, he just got tired of it.
The Pete Davidson shirtless era of 2026 is defined by a slow, painful fading process. Despite those 2025 ads that made him look like a newborn baby, Pete admitted to Jimmy Fallon that he’s still nowhere near finished. It’s a 10-level pain. He describes it as "putting your arm on a grill."
- The Cost: It’s reported he has spent roughly $200,000 on the process so far.
- The Timeline: He likely won't be fully "ink-free" until he's 40.
- The Reality Check: During the SNL 50 special in February 2025, Pete did a sketch where he stripped down, revealing that while his arms are fading, his torso is still a chaotic map of ink.
Basically, the "ink-free" Pete you see in high-fashion shoots is a mix of heavy laser work and a little bit of digital magic. In real life, he's in that awkward "ghost tattoo" phase where everything looks a bit like a blurry watercolor painting.
Living With Crohn’s and Body Image
People love to comment on Pete’s weight. It’s a constant thing. But there’s a serious medical reason behind the fluctuations you see when he’s caught by paparazzi at the beach. Pete was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease when he was 17.
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It’s a brutal condition. It causes severe inflammation of the digestive tract. At his lowest points, he’s dropped down to 110 pounds because he simply couldn’t keep food down.
When you see a photo of Pete Davidson shirtless and notice he looks a bit "buff" or has gained weight, it’s usually a sign he’s in a period of health or has recently been in treatment. In late 2024, sources noted he had gained about 20 pounds and was focusing on a sober lifestyle. For someone with Crohn’s, that’s a massive victory.
The "Boyfriend" Aesthetic
We have to talk about Elsie Hewitt. By mid-2025, Pete and the model-actress were all over the place. They were spotted in Palm Beach, then on boats for the Fourth of July.
This era of Pete is different. He isn't just the "sad boy" from Staten Island anymore. He’s leaning into what Reformation called "The Official Boyfriend" aesthetic. It’s a mix of vulnerability and "I don't care" energy that seems to work.
He's also being more careful about "tribute" tattoos. After the Kim Kardashian branding (literally branding her name into his skin) and the Ariana Grande ink, 2026 Pete seems to be keeping the skin clear for a reason. He told People magazine he wants to be able to wear a T-shirt and not see anything on his neck or hands.
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What You Should Know If You’re Planning Removal
If you're looking at Pete and thinking about hitting the laser clinic, take his advice: wait.
He’s gone through dozens of sessions. Each one requires about six weeks of healing time. You can't go in the sun. You can't go swimming. For a guy who loves a beach vacation with a new girlfriend, that’s a huge commitment.
The fading isn't even, either. Blues and greens are notoriously hard to kill. Pete’s "DoodleBob" tattoo and his various Game of Thrones references are stubborn. They don't just vanish; they turn into weird gray smudges for a few years first.
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Key Takeaways for the Fans
- Don't believe every ad: The 2025 Reformation pics were heavily touched up. He still has ink.
- Health is a factor: His body shape changes because of Crohn's disease, not just "gym sessions."
- It's a marathon: Tattoo removal is a 10-year project, not a weekend fix.
If you’re following Pete’s journey, the best thing you can do is look past the headlines. He’s a guy trying to outrun his 20s—one laser session at a time.
If you're considering your own tattoo removal, your next step should be a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist who uses PicoWay or similar high-end lasers, as these are what celebrities typically use to minimize scarring. Expect to spend at least a year on the process for even a small piece of ink. Don't rush it; your skin needs the recovery time Pete talks about.