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The $200,000 'Clean Slate': Pete Davidson's Shocking Transformation Without Tattoos (2025 Update)

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Pete Davidson without tattoos is a phrase that has captivated fans, casting directors, and the media for years, and the journey toward that "clean slate" is far more intense, painful, and costly than most people realize. As of late December 2025, the comedian and actor is deep into a multi-year, six-figure process to erase the hundreds of tattoos that once defined his public image, marking a significant evolution in his career and personal life.

This dramatic transformation is not a quick fix; it's a grueling commitment that Davidson has been pursuing for years, primarily driven by his burgeoning acting career. The latest updates confirm he's only about 30% through the estimated 10-year process, but the visible progress is already striking, leading to major campaign appearances and new, diverse film roles that would have been impossible with his signature ink.

Pete Davidson: A Complete Biography and Career Profile

Peter Michael Davidson is an American comedian, actor, and writer, best known for his boundary-pushing stand-up comedy and his eight-season tenure as a cast member on NBC’s Saturday Night Live (SNL).

  • Full Name: Peter Michael Davidson
  • Born: November 16, 1993
  • Place of Birth: Staten Island, New York, U.S.
  • Age (as of 2025): 32
  • Early Life: Davidson’s father, Scott Matthew Davidson, was a New York City firefighter who died in the September 11 attacks. This profound loss is a recurring theme in his comedy and acting work.
  • Education: Attended St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights, New York, briefly before pursuing comedy full-time.
  • Career Breakthrough: Joined Saturday Night Live in 2014 at the age of 20, becoming one of the youngest cast members ever.
  • Major Film Roles: The King of Staten Island (2020), The Suicide Squad (2021), Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022), Bupkis (2023), and upcoming roles in Dog Man (2025) and Riff Raff (2025).
  • Signature Look: For most of his career, he was instantly recognizable by his extensive collection of over 200 tattoos covering his arms, chest, and back.

The Shocking Reality of Pete Davidson’s Tattoo Removal Progress

The decision to remove virtually all of his body art began around 2020 and was initially revealed in a virtual table read for the film The King of Staten Island, where his torso was seen with noticeable fading. Since then, his tattoo removal progress has been a frequent topic of discussion, with the comedian himself providing candid, and often hilarious, updates on the painful ordeal.

A 10-Year Commitment and a $200,000 Price Tag

The scale of Davidson’s body art meant that the removal process would be monumental. He has confirmed that he is removing over 200 individual tattoos. The process is lengthy because each tattoo requires multiple laser sessions—often 10 to 12 sessions—spaced several weeks apart to allow the skin to heal.

  • Estimated Duration: Davidson has stated the entire process could take up to 10 years to fully complete.
  • Current Status (2025): He is only about 30% of the way through the removal.
  • The Cost: He has already spent a staggering $200,000 on the procedures. This high cost reflects the volume of the work and the advanced laser technology required.

The sheer cost and duration highlight that this is not a casual choice but a massive investment in his future career. The former SNL star is literally paying a six-figure sum to unlock new opportunities in Hollywood.

The Painful Truth: Why He Gets ‘Put Under’

Laser tattoo removal is notoriously painful, often described as feeling like hot oil splattering on the skin or a rubber band snapping repeatedly. For someone with Davidson’s coverage, the pain is so extreme that he has to take extraordinary measures.

In a recent interview, Davidson revealed that he gets "put under" general anesthesia for the sessions, a necessity due to the extreme discomfort of removing such a large number of tattoos. He candidly described the process as "pretty horrible" and a deep regret, saying, "It takes years to get rid of a tattoo. You’ve got to burn it off..."

This level of pain management underscores the seriousness of his commitment to achieving Pete Davidson clean skin. The majority of people undergoing removal do not require general anesthesia, but for the volume of ink Davidson is erasing, it has become a necessity.

The ‘Clean Slate’: Why Pete Davidson is Erasing His Past

The comedian’s initial decision to get so many tattoos was part of his identity, often featuring references to his life, his father’s death, and his relationships. His current push for a clean slate, however, is a professional one, designed to make him a more versatile and bankable actor.

The Professional Necessity for Versatility

The primary reason Davidson is spending a decade and hundreds of thousands of dollars on his laser tattoo removal is simple: acting. Having extensive tattoos makes an actor less versatile, as they have to spend hours in the makeup chair for every role that requires a tattoo-free appearance.

Davidson explained that the time and money spent covering his tattoos for roles like his upcoming film Dog Man and his work on The King of Staten Island became unsustainable. He once joked that it takes "three hours" to cover them up, and that the process is "cheaper to get them burned off than to wear makeup."

By removing the ink, Davidson is opening himself up to a wider range of dramatic and comedic roles, allowing directors to see him as a character rather than just "Pete Davidson with tattoos." This strategic career move is a testament to his ambition beyond sketch comedy.

The Few Tattoos That Will Remain

Despite the massive undertaking, Davidson plans to keep a select few of his tattoos—only about "two or three" of the original 200+. While he hasn't provided a definitive list of the survivors, it is speculated that he will keep the tattoos that hold the deepest personal meaning, potentially including the September 11 tribute to his late father, Scott Davidson. The decision to keep a few is a nod to his history while still embracing his new identity.

The sight of a near-tattoo-free Pete Davidson is already becoming a reality. In February 2025, he appeared in a Valentine's Day-themed campaign for the brand Reformation, where his torso and arms looked dramatically clear, showcasing the impressive results of his ongoing tattoo removal journey. This campaign gave fans a true glimpse into his future look and solidified the fact that the transformation is well underway. As his career continues to soar with new projects, his evolving appearance will continue to be one of the most fascinating stories in Hollywood.

pete davidson without tattoos
pete davidson without tattoos

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