He’s got "Lose Control" written on his face—literally. These days, if you see Teddy Swims, you see a walking canvas. It's almost impossible to separate the soul-stirring vocals of Jaten Dimsdale from the intricate tapestry of ink that covers his forehead, neck, and hands. But it wasn't always this way.
Before he was a global chart-topper, Teddy Swims before tattoos was just a kid from Conyers, Georgia, with a clean-shaven face and a clear complexion.
The Face You Don’t Recognize
Looking at old photos of Jaten Dimsdale is a trip. Seriously. If you scroll back far enough on his older social media footprints or find clips from his days in various Atlanta-area bands, you’ll see a man who looks like he could be Teddy’s younger, quieter cousin. He was just a guy with a dream and a voice that didn't quite match his then-unmarked exterior.
People always ask why someone would tattoo their face. For Jaten, it wasn't some sudden rebellion. It was a slow burn. He didn't just wake up one day and decide to ink "Mama" on his forehead. It was a process of becoming.
When you look at Teddy Swims before tattoos, you're looking at the raw material. He was still the same guy who grew up on a diet of soul, country, and hair metal. He was still the football player who discovered musical theater in high school. But the armor wasn't there yet. The ink serves as a sort of protection, or maybe just a declaration of who he is.
From Football Helmets to Fine Line Ink
Growing up in Georgia, Jaten was a multi-sport athlete. It's funny to imagine him on a football field. No tattoos. No signature glasses. Just a helmet and a jersey. In those early years, the only thing that stood out was the voice.
He spent years cycling through different musical identities. He was in a hair metal band. He was in a funk band. He was in a soul band. Through all those iterations, his look changed, but the massive collection of body art didn't really start to take over until he began to find his solo identity.
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The transition from "regular guy" to the Teddy Swims we know today happened alongside his viral success. As his YouTube covers started racking up millions of views, the tattoos started appearing more frequently. It was like he was marking his milestones in real-time.
The Meaning Behind the Mask
It’s easy to dismiss face tattoos as a trend. For Teddy, though, each piece seems to hold weight. He’s talked openly about how he struggled with body image for a long time. The tattoos changed the way he saw himself. They gave him a sense of ownership over his own skin.
One of the most prominent pieces is the "Mama" tattoo above his eye. It’s a tribute to the woman who supported his musical journey from the start. Then there are the birds, the flowers, and the abstract designs that fill the gaps. When you compare this to the images of Teddy Swims before tattoos, the difference isn't just aesthetic. It’s a difference in confidence.
He once mentioned in an interview that he felt like he was finally "wearing" his personality. Without the ink, he felt like he was hiding something. Now, everything is on the surface.
Why the Internet is Obsessed with the Before
Why are we so fascinated by how celebrities looked before they were famous? It’s probably because it makes them feel human. Seeing Jaten Dimsdale with a bare face reminds us that he wasn't born a superstar. He was a guy who worked a regular job, played small clubs, and eventually decided to transform himself into a living piece of art.
If you search for those early videos of him covering Shania Twain or Michael Jackson, you can see the soul is already there. The vocal runs are identical. The passion is undeniable. The only thing missing is the visual branding that has now become synonymous with his name.
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A Quick Timeline of the Transformation
- 2010-2015: The "Clean" Years. Mostly focused on sports and early band projects like WildHeart. Minimal to no visible tattoos on the face or neck.
- 2016-2018: The Beginning. Small pieces start appearing on the arms and chest. He's still mostly unrecognizable compared to his current self.
- 2019-2021: The Viral Explosion. As "I've Tried Everything but Therapy" takes off, the face tattoos become his signature. This is when the "Mama" tattoo and the forehead script appear.
- 2022-Present: Full Coverage. The neck, hands, and face are nearly fully tatted. He has embraced the look entirely, often pairing it with his signature beanies and glasses.
The Psychology of the Change
There is a specific kind of bravery required to tattoo your face. It's a permanent "no" to a traditional 9-to-5 life. For an artist like Teddy, it was a way of burning the boats. There was no going back.
He has often spoken about his struggles with mental health and self-worth. In many ways, the tattoos acted as a catalyst for his self-acceptance. When you look at Teddy Swims before tattoos, you see a man who is still searching. When you look at him now, you see a man who has found himself, even if he's still "trying everything but therapy."
The ink isn't just about looking "cool." It's about identity. It’s about the intersection of soul music and a modern aesthetic that challenges people's perceptions. You hear the voice of an angel coming out of a guy who looks like he might have a few stories to tell, and that contrast is exactly what makes him so compelling.
Addressing the Critics
Of course, not everyone loves the look. He gets the comments. He sees the "Why would you do that to your face?" messages. But Jaten doesn't seem to care. He’s found a community that loves him for his authenticity.
The tattoos haven't hindered his career; they've bolstered it. They make him memorable in a sea of generic pop stars. They tell a story of a man from Georgia who wasn't afraid to stand out, even if it meant changing his appearance forever.
What You Can Learn from Jaten’s Journey
If there’s one takeaway from looking back at Jaten Dimsdale’s evolution, it’s that self-expression is a journey, not a destination. You don't have to be the same person you were five years ago. You are allowed to change, to grow, and to literally redraw your own boundaries.
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- Trust the process. Jaten didn't become Teddy Swims overnight. It took years of playing in bands and honing his craft.
- Don't fear the "permanent." Whether it's a career move or a tattoo, sometimes you have to commit fully to see the results.
- Authenticity wins. People connected with Teddy because of his voice, but they stayed because he was unapologetically himself.
- Visuals matter, but talent is king. The tattoos wouldn't matter if he couldn't sing. The talent is the foundation; the tattoos are just the decor.
Moving Forward
Teddy Swims is currently one of the most exciting voices in music. His debut album, I've Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 1), has solidified his place in the industry. As he continues to tour and release new music, his look will likely continue to evolve.
Maybe he'll add more. Maybe he'll stop where he is. Regardless, the images of Teddy Swims before tattoos will always serve as a reminder of where he started. They are a testament to the fact that everyone has a "before" and an "after."
To really understand the man behind the music, you have to look past the ink—or rather, look at the ink to see the stories he's chosen to tell.
If you want to track this transformation yourself, the best place to start is his early YouTube uploads from 2019. Look for the "Rock with You" cover or his version of "You're Still the One." You can literally watch the tattoos appear video by video. It’s a fascinating archive of a man becoming the person he was always meant to be.
Next time you hear "Lose Control" on the radio, remember the guy from Conyers who decided to put his heart—and his history—right on his face.
Actionable Steps for Fans:
- Check out his early band "WildHeart" on YouTube to see the most drastic "before" footage.
- Follow his official social media for "Throwback Thursday" posts where he occasionally shares old family photos.
- Focus on the lyrics of his song "Face Myself" to understand his relationship with his own reflection.
- Listen to his interviews on podcasts like The Zach Sang Show where he dives deep into his upbringing and the timeline of his body art.