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The $200,000 Regret: 5 Shocking Facts About Pete Davidson's 10-Year Tattoo Removal Project

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Pete Davidson, the comedian and actor famous for his candid humor and heavily-inked body, has been on a very public and painful journey to erase his past. As of late December 2025, the process of removing his estimated 100 to 200 tattoos is well underway, but the timeline and cost are far more dramatic than fans might realize.

The decision to go from one of Hollywood's most tattooed personalities to a clean slate wasn't a philosophical one, but a practical necessity driven by his booming acting career. This deep dive uncovers the real, often brutal, facts about Davidson's epic commitment to laser removal, from the staggering cost to the surprising number of years he expects the process to take.

Peter Michael Davidson: Biography and Career Highlights

Peter Michael Davidson was born on November 16, 1993, in Staten Island, New York.

  • Full Name: Peter Michael Davidson
  • Born: November 16, 1993 (Staten Island, New York)
  • Occupation: Comedian, Actor, Writer, Producer
  • Breakthrough: Joined the cast of NBC's Saturday Night Live (SNL) in 2014 at the age of 20, making him one of the youngest cast members ever.
  • Signature Style: Known for his distinct brand of self-deprecating humor, candid storytelling, and laid-back delivery.
  • Notable Films/TV: The King of Staten Island (2020), Big Time Adolescence (2019), Suicide Squad (2021), Bupkis (2023), and Meet Cute (2022).
  • Personal Life: Has garnered significant media attention for his high-profile relationships and candid discussions about his mental health, including his struggles with Crohn's disease and Borderline Personality Disorder.
  • Tattoo Count: Estimated to be between 104 and 200 tattoos at his peak.

Davidson’s career trajectory has shifted significantly since his early days on SNL, moving into leading man roles in major motion pictures and television series. This transition is the single biggest factor behind his current, excruciating commitment to tattoo removal.

The Real Reason: Why Davidson is Erasing His Ink

For years, Pete Davidson’s body art—a chaotic collection of pop culture references, personal tributes, and relationship-related ink—was an intrinsic part of his public persona. He once described getting them because he was "a sad boy" and simply following the trend of his peers.

However, the primary, non-emotional reason for the massive laser tattoo removal undertaking is purely professional: the makeup chair.

1. The Time-Suck of the Makeup Chair

For every film or television role that requires him to be tattoo-free, Davidson had to endure an incredibly long and tedious process of covering his ink with makeup.

He revealed that covering his arms and hands alone could take between three to four hours. This downtime significantly impacts production schedules and costs.

His pragmatic conclusion was simple: "It would be easier to get them burned off."

2. Focusing on Serious Acting Roles

As Davidson moves away from sketch comedy and into more dramatic and varied acting roles, the tattoos become a significant obstacle to his versatility.

Roles in films like The King of Staten Island or his Peacock series Bupkis often require him to portray characters without heavy body modification. Removing the tattoos is an investment in his long-term career potential, allowing him to take on a wider range of parts without the costly and time-consuming makeup requirement.

3. A Fresh Start and Mental Health

While the professional reasons are paramount, Davidson has also linked his decision to his journey toward better mental health.

He began the process around 2020, a period that coincided with his increased focus on sobriety and well-being. Erasing the ink, much of which was acquired during a more tumultuous time in his life, represents a physical manifestation of a clean slate and moving forward.

The Brutal Reality: Timeline, Cost, and Pain

The process of tattoo removal, particularly for the sheer volume of Davidson’s ink, is not a quick fix. It is a grueling, multi-year commitment involving advanced laser technology.

4. The Shockingly Long Timeline: Another 10 Years

Davidson started the removal process in 2020, but due to his busy film and TV production schedule, he cannot attend sessions as frequently as necessary.

He has candidly stated that the entire project will take him "another 10 years" to complete.

  • Sessions Per Tattoo: Each individual tattoo requires an estimated 10 to 12 sessions for full removal.
  • Session Frequency: Sessions must be spaced out, often over 60 weeks, to allow the skin to heal and the body to flush out the ink particles.
  • Total Duration: Given his 200-tattoo count, the decade-long timeline is a realistic, albeit shocking, estimate.

This commitment highlights the intense dedication he has to his evolving career. The sheer scale of the project makes it one of the most significant celebrity tattoo removal timelines in recent memory.

5. The Staggering Financial Cost

While the pain and time commitment are significant, the financial investment is equally staggering.

Sources close to the comedian have indicated that the total cost of his extensive laser tattoo removal process is estimated to be around $200,000.

This massive figure reflects the complexity, size, and sheer number of tattoos being treated. It is a clear indication that for Davidson, the long-term career benefits of being tattoo-free far outweigh the substantial upfront cost.

The Pain Factor

Davidson has not minced words about the physical discomfort of the procedure, calling the experience "pretty horrible."

Laser removal involves intense bursts of light energy to break up the ink pigment, which is often described as feeling like a rubber band snapping against the skin or hot grease splattering. The comedian's willingness to endure this for a decade underscores his professional motivation.

What’s Next for Pete Davidson’s Ink?

As of late 2025, Pete Davidson continues to show off the progress of his disappearing ink in public appearances and social media photos.

Fans have noted the fading of several prominent pieces, including the various tattoos he acquired during his high-profile relationships—often referred to by the media as his "relationship tattoos" or "Ariana Grande tattoos"—which are now slowly becoming distant memories. The removal of these pieces symbolizes a final, physical break from his more chaotic past.

The tattoo removal journey is a powerful metaphor for Davidson's transition from a breakout SNL comedian to a serious actor. By literally erasing the canvas of his past, he is creating space for a new, more versatile, and professional future in Hollywood. The next decade will see his body transform, session by painful session, as he moves closer to the clean slate he requires for his ambitious career goals.

pete davidson removing tattoos
pete davidson removing tattoos

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