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The 10-Year Tattoo Erasure: Inside Pete Davidson's $200,000 Journey To A 'Clean Slate'

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Pete Davidson’s transformation is one of the most drastic and high-profile celebrity body changes in recent memory. As of late 2024, the comedian, known for his prolific ink, is deep into a multi-year, multi-hundred-thousand-dollar process to remove nearly all of his extensive tattoo collection. This massive undertaking is not just a cosmetic change; it’s a profound personal and professional pivot, symbolizing a new chapter in his life marked by sobriety, career focus, and self-reflection. The journey, which began in 2020, is far from over, with Davidson himself estimating it could take up to a decade to fully complete. Recent photos show significant fading, particularly on his arms, providing a visible, current update on the progress of his expensive and famously painful decision to erase the ink that once defined his public image.

Pete Davidson: A Brief Biography and Tattoo History

Peter Michael Davidson, born November 16, 1993, in Staten Island, New York, is an American comedian, actor, and writer. He rose to prominence as one of the youngest-ever cast members of NBC’s Saturday Night Live (SNL), where he worked from 2014 to 2022. * Full Name: Peter Michael Davidson * Born: November 16, 1993 * Birthplace: Staten Island, New York, U.S. * Occupation: Comedian, Actor, Writer, Producer * Notable Works: Saturday Night Live (SNL), The King of Staten Island, Bupkis, Meet Cute * Father: Scott Davidson, a New York City firefighter who died in the September 11 attacks. * Tattoo Count (Pre-Removal): Estimated to be over 100, with some sources claiming up to 200. * Start of Removal: Announced in 2020. * Estimated Completion: Up to 10 years from the start date (circa 2030). Davidson’s tattoos were once inseparable from his public persona. His body was a canvas of pop culture references, sentimental tributes, and relationship markers. He was famous for getting ink quickly and, often, impulsively. This collection included nearly 20 tattoos dedicated to previous relationships alone, a testament to his deeply emotional and public approach to romance.

The Most Famous Tattoos Being Erased

The removal process targets a wide array of ink, from large pieces to small doodles. The sheer volume and variety of the collection are what make the removal so complex and time-consuming. * The '8418' Tribute: One of his most meaningful tattoos, '8418,' was on his left arm. This was his father Scott Davidson’s badge number, a firefighter who tragically died during the September 11 attacks. This piece, along with a portrait of his father, was a profound personal tribute. * The Hillary Clinton Tattoo: A portrait of Hillary Clinton on his leg, a tattoo he got after she lost the 2016 presidential election, became a highly recognizable and controversial piece. It was even mentioned by Kanye West in a social media attack. * Relationship Tattoos: Davidson was famous for his relationship-themed ink. During his engagement to Ariana Grande, he got several matching or dedicated tattoos, including a pair of bunny ears behind his ear (a reference to the Dangerous Woman album cover) and the phrase "mille tendresse." He also famously had a "K.K." tattoo (for Kim Kardashian) and a branding (not a tattoo) of her name. Many of these relationship tattoos were quickly covered up with new designs before the full removal process began. * The 'Swerve Life' Tattoo: A large, distinctive tattoo on his chest that was a staple of his shirtless appearances.

The Painful Truth: Why Davidson Is Erasing His Ink

Davidson’s decision to commit to a 10-year, $200,000 process is driven by both pragmatic career necessities and a deeper, more personal desire for a fresh start.

The Career Catalyst: Losing Roles and Makeup Time

The most immediate and practical reason for the removal is his acting career. As he transitioned from the sketch comedy of SNL to more serious film and television roles, his extensive tattoos became a significant obstacle. * Casting Limitations: Davidson revealed that his tattoos limited the types of roles he could pursue, as they often didn't fit the character profiles. * The Makeup Nightmare: For roles where the character needed to be ink-free, the process of covering his tattoos was an enormous burden. He once estimated that it took approximately three hours in the makeup chair for every day of shooting. This was not only a time sink but a major expense for production companies. Removing the tattoos permanently eliminates this professional hurdle.

The Personal Revelation: Sobriety and Self-Reflection

More compelling than the career reason is the psychological motivation. Davidson has been open about his struggles with mental health and substance abuse, and he views the tattoo removal as a symbol of his personal growth and sobriety journey. He candidly shared that he got many of his tattoos during a period when he was a "sad person" and a "drug addict," stating he "felt ugly and that I needed to be covered up." This revelation frames the removal not as regret, but as a therapeutic act—a physical shedding of a past identity he is actively moving beyond. The "clean slate" is both literal and metaphorical, representing a step toward a healthier, more self-accepting version of himself.

The Grueling Process: Cost, Pain, and Timeline

The reality of removing hundreds of tattoos is far more arduous than getting them. Davidson has provided vivid details about the cost, pain, and extended timeline, painting a picture of a truly grueling experience.

A Decade-Long Commitment and Six-Figure Cost

The sheer number of tattoos means the process is measured in years, not months. Davidson has estimated that the full removal could take between five and ten years to complete. * Sessions Required: Each individual tattoo requires multiple laser sessions—often 10 to 12 sessions—spaced out to allow the skin to heal. Given his busy schedule and the need for healing time, this dramatically extends the overall timeline. * Financial Investment: The cost of the procedure is staggering. Multiple reports indicate that Davidson has already spent an estimated $200,000 on the process and is still only about 30% of the way through. This six-figure expenditure underscores the depth of his commitment.

A 'Horrible' Pain Level of 10

Davidson has been unequivocally clear about the level of pain involved in laser tattoo removal, often contrasting it with the pain of getting the tattoo in the first place. When asked to rate the pain on a scale of 1 to 10, he quickly responded with "It’s a 10." He described the feeling as "horrible" and "worse" than getting the tattoos, noting that the process involves "burning off a layer of your skin." To manage the intense pain, Davidson has revealed that he is sometimes "put under" general anesthesia for the sessions, a testament to the severity of the laser treatment. His treatments are reportedly being handled by Dr. Roy Geronemus at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York, a highly respected dermatologist known for celebrity tattoo removal. The technology used involves different lasers to match and break up different ink colors, requiring specialized expertise. The ongoing removal of his extensive ink collection is a powerful, visible narrative of personal evolution in the public eye. Davidson is literally shedding his past, one laser session at a time, to embrace a future where his identity is defined by his work and his sobriety, not the ink on his skin.
pete davidson tattoo removal
pete davidson tattoo removal

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