The \$200,000 Fading King: Pete Davidson's Tattoo Transformation Before And After (2025 Update)

The heavily-inked era of Pete Davidson is officially coming to a close. As of December 13, 2025, the comedian and actor is deep into a multi-year, multi-session, and six-figure tattoo removal process that is dramatically changing his iconic look, moving him from a canvas of body art to an increasingly clean slate. This monumental transformation, which he has candidly discussed, is not just a cosmetic change; it represents a significant shift in his career focus and a renewed commitment to his mental health and sobriety journey.

The "before and after" pictures of Davidson are becoming more striking with each passing year, showcasing the fading remnants of over 200 tattoos that once covered his arms, chest, and back. His decision to erase years of impulsive ink—including several notorious pieces dedicated to past relationships—is a fascinating case study in celebrity evolution, proving that a fresh start sometimes means literally burning off the past. The process, which is estimated to cost up to $\text{\$200,000}$ and take as long as 10 years to complete, is a painful and expensive commitment to a new chapter.

Pete Davidson: A Brief Biography & Profile

Peter Michael Davidson rose to prominence as one of the youngest-ever cast members of Saturday Night Live ($\text{SNL}$). His unique brand of self-deprecating, candid humor and his highly-publicized personal life have made him a constant fixture in pop culture and celebrity news.

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• Full Name: Peter Michael Davidson
• Date of Birth: November 16, 1993
• Place of Birth: Staten Island, New York, U.S.
• Occupation: Comedian, Actor, Writer, Producer
• Career Highlights: Cast member on Saturday Night Live ($\text{SNL}$) (2014–2022); Creator and star of the film The King of Staten Island (2020); Star of the Peacock series Bupkis (2023).
• Notable Relationships: Has been linked to high-profile figures including Ariana Grande, Kate Beckinsale, Kaia Gerber, Phoebe Dynevor, Kim Kardashian, and Emily Ratajkowski.
• Current Status: Actively undergoing comprehensive laser tattoo removal.

The $\text{\$200,000}$ Question: Why Erase 200+ Tattoos?

For a decade, Davidson’s tattoos were central to his public image, often serving as a visual diary of his life, relationships, and mental state. The decision to remove them, which began in earnest around 2020, was driven by a combination of professional necessity and a deeper, more personal desire for change.

The Professional Burden: Time in the Makeup Chair

The most practical reason Davidson cites for the removal is directly related to his burgeoning film and television career. As his acting roles became more frequent and serious—such as his work in The King of Staten Island and the series Bupkis—the extensive body art became a major logistical headache.

Davidson explained that covering his tattoos with makeup for a role could take up to three to four hours every single day on set. This massive time commitment not only slowed down production but was a tedious process he grew tired of. He famously quipped that it would be "easier to get them burned off" than to continue covering them up. The cost of tattoo removal, though high, ultimately saves significant production time and money in the long run.

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Mental Health and Sobriety: A Symbolic Clean Slate

Beyond the practicalities of acting, the removal process is deeply tied to Davidson’s personal journey of self-improvement, sobriety, and mental health. He has been open about his struggles with addiction and Borderline Personality Disorder ($\text{BPD}$).

Davidson has stated that many of the tattoos were acquired during periods when he was struggling, feeling "ugly," or feeling like he "needed to be covered up." The tattoos were a form of self-expression during a difficult phase of his life. Removing them is a powerful, symbolic act of moving forward and shedding the skin of his past. It is a physical manifestation of his commitment to a healthier, more stable life.

Fading Ink: The Most Famous Tattoos Being Removed

Davidson’s body art was a public record of his relationships, pop culture obsessions, and personal heroes. As the laser removal sessions progress, several high-profile, recognizable pieces are slowly disappearing. The process involves multiple sessions of intense laser technology, which breaks up the ink particles in the skin.

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Relationship Tattoos (The Break-Up Ink)

Davidson was notorious for getting tattoos dedicated to his girlfriends, many of which became headlines themselves. These are among the most satisfying for the public to see fade away:

• "My Girl is a Lawyer" Chest Tattoo: This piece, dedicated to his ex-girlfriend Kim Kardashian while she was studying for the bar exam, was one of his most recent and highly publicized tattoos to undergo removal.
• Ariana Grande-Related Tattoos: During his engagement to the pop star, Davidson got several matching and dedicated tattoos. These included a pair of bunny ears behind his ear (a reference to the Manchester tragedy) and the word "Reborn." Many of these were either covered up or are now being fully removed.
• The "K" Initial: He also had the initial "K" tattooed on his body, a reference to Kim Kardashian.

The Sentimental Exceptions: Which Tattoos is He Keeping?

Despite his mission to clear his body of ink, Davidson has confirmed that he is keeping a select few tattoos that hold deep, irreplaceable sentimental value. These exceptions prove that the removal is about shedding the past, not erasing his entire history.

The pieces he is keeping are primarily those dedicated to his late father, Scott Davidson, a New York City firefighter who died during the September 11th terrorist attacks. These tattoos are permanent tributes to his hero and his family.

Perhaps more surprisingly, Davidson has also indicated he will keep the tattoo of former Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's face. He has expressed admiration for her, and this particular piece of celebrity ink is one he seems determined to preserve.

Topical Authority: The Future of Pete Davidson's Skin

The ongoing saga of Pete Davidson's tattoo removal has made him an unlikely spokesperson for the laser removal industry, highlighting the painful, expensive, yet ultimately effective nature of the process. The "before and after" narrative is a powerful one, resonating with a generation that views tattoos as both personal art and potential regret.

As of late 2025, photos of Davidson show significant fading, particularly on his arms, which were once completely covered in a colorful sleeve of designs. The once-vibrant ink now appears blurred and grey, a clear sign of the $\text{Q-switched}$ and $\text{PicoSure}$ laser technology at work. His public transparency about the process—including the cost, the number of sessions, and the pain—serves as a realistic cautionary tale for others considering extensive body art.

For fans and industry insiders, the "new" Pete Davidson—with fewer tattoos and a focus on acting—marks the start of a more mature, focused career chapter. This physical transformation is a bold statement, confirming his evolution from a young, impulsive comedy star to a serious, leading man in Hollywood. The fading ink is a visual metaphor for his growth, proving that sometimes, the only way forward is to literally leave the past behind.