The $200,000 Erase: 5 Shocking Facts About Pete Davidson's Massive Tattoo Removal

As of December 2025, comedian and actor Pete Davidson is well past the halfway mark in one of the most drastic and expensive celebrity transformations in recent memory: the complete removal of his vast collection of over 200 tattoos. What began as a practical decision for his burgeoning acting career has evolved into a deeply personal, multi-year journey that has been described as "horrible" and "worse than getting inked."

This ongoing cosmetic procedure is far from a quick fix, with the entire process projected to take up to a decade and cost a staggering six-figure sum. The decision to remove his signature ink is tied directly to his mental health journey and a desire to shed the skin of his younger, "sad boy" self. Here is the definitive, updated look at the grueling reality, the astonishing cost, and the surprising few pieces of permanent art that the former Saturday Night Live star plans to keep.

Pete Davidson: A Biographical Profile and Career Snapshot

Peter Michael Davidson is an American comedian, actor, and writer, instantly recognizable for his tall stature, unique style, and candid, self-deprecating humor. His career trajectory from stand-up comic to a major Hollywood player is deeply interwoven with his public life and, until recently, his extensive body art.

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• Born: November 16, 1993, in Staten Island, New York, U.S.
• Early Career: Davidson began his career in the early 2010s with appearances on MTV's *Guy Code* and stand-up specials.
• Breakthrough: In 2014, at the age of 20, he became one of the youngest-ever cast members of NBC’s sketch comedy show, *Saturday Night Live* (SNL). He remained a prominent cast member until 2022.
• Major Filmography: He has starred in and co-written the semi-autobiographical film *The King of Staten Island* (2020), and appeared in films like *Bodies Bodies Bodies* and *Dumb Money*. He also created and starred in the Peacock series *Bupkis* (2023).
• Personal Life: Davidson's personal life, including high-profile relationships with celebrities like Ariana Grande, Kate Beckinsale, and Kim Kardashian, often overshadowed his professional work, with several of his relationships resulting in highly publicized, and now-fading, tattoos.
• Health and Wellness: He has been open about his struggles with mental health, including being diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and his journey through sobriety and treatment, which he cites as a key motivator for the tattoo removal.

The Astonishing Cost and Decade-Long Timeline of Davidson's Transformation

The sheer scale of Pete Davidson's tattoo removal project is difficult to comprehend. With an estimated 200+ individual tattoos covering his arms, chest, and legs, the procedure is not just a major commitment of time, but a massive financial undertaking. The latest reports indicate the total cost for his complete ink removal could reach upwards of $200,000.

This astronomical figure reflects the number of sessions required. Laser tattoo removal is a gradual process, requiring multiple treatments spaced several weeks apart to allow the body to flush out the fragmented ink particles. Davidson began the process around 2020, and in various interviews, he has indicated that he is only about 50% through, with the full completion expected to take up to ten years from the start date.

The comedian has frequently joked about the expense, once stating on a talk show that the entire process will cost him "more money than I've ever made." While clearly an exaggeration for comedic effect, it underscores the profound commitment he has made to altering his physical appearance for the sake of his career and personal well-being.

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The Real Reasons: Career Demands, Mental Health, and 'Sad Boy' Regret

The initial and most practical reason for the removal was purely professional: career demands. As Davidson transitioned from *Saturday Night Live* to more serious acting roles, the time required in the makeup chair to cover his body art became a significant logistical and financial burden for production companies.

During the filming of *The King of Staten Island*, for example, the elaborate cover-up process could add hours to the production schedule. This inefficiency proved to be a major obstacle to landing more mainstream, non-tattooed roles in Hollywood. His desire to be considered for a broader range of characters ultimately pushed him to commit to the painful removal process.

However, the deeper motivation is rooted in his personal evolution and mental health journey. Davidson has candidly discussed how his extensive tattoos were a reflection of a darker period in his life. Speaking about the decision, he confessed that the tattoos were a product of a time when he was struggling with drug addiction and felt "ugly" and "sad," needing to be "covered up."

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He sees the removal as a symbolic shedding of his past self, a step toward "trying to be an adult" and focusing on sobriety and a healthier future. The removal is an expensive form of therapy, literally erasing the permanent markers of his youth and struggles.

The Grueling Reality: Pain Management and the Laser Removal Process

Pete Davidson has not minced words when describing the physical toll of the tattoo removal process. He has repeatedly called the laser sessions "horrible" and "worse than getting inked." The procedure, which involves high-intensity laser light breaking up the ink particles in the skin, is notoriously painful, often described as the sensation of being snapped by a rubber band or hot oil splatter.

Due to the sheer volume of his tattoos and the intense pain, Davidson has revealed a shocking detail about his pain management: he sometimes gets put under general anesthesia for the sessions. This is a highly unusual and expensive measure, highlighting the extreme discomfort he endures. The pain doesn't end when the laser is off; he noted on *The Breakfast Club Power 105.1* radio show that the three days immediately following a session are often the most painful part of the recovery process.

The process is being overseen by specialists, with reports mentioning prominent dermatologists like Roy Geronemus, MD, a renowned expert in laser procedures. The technology used is typically a high-powered Q-switched or Picosecond laser, which is the gold standard for shattering ink pigment. The removal of black ink is generally easier, but the sheer density and variety of colors in Davidson's collection necessitate numerous, grueling sessions.

The Tattoos That Survived the Laser: Sentimental Ink He's Keeping

Despite his commitment to going nearly ink-free, Davidson is not erasing everything. Of the over 200 tattoos he accumulated, he plans to keep a very select few—estimated to be only "two or three" sentimental pieces.

The most famous, and perhaps most surprising, piece of permanent art he has confirmed he will be keeping is a tattoo of former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's face. Davidson has maintained that this tattoo, which he got in 2017, holds sentimental value for him, and he has no intention of having it removed.

The other remaining tattoos are expected to be small, highly personal pieces that represent meaningful aspects of his life. These small survivors stand in stark contrast to the hundreds of other tattoos—many of which were spontaneous, relationship-based, or simply "bad decisions"—that are now being gradually and painfully burned away. His decision to keep a few pieces shows a nuanced approach to his body art, distinguishing between the meaningful past and the regrettable impulsivity of his younger self.

Pete Davidson’s journey is a powerful, high-profile example of the growing trend of tattoo regret and the extreme lengths individuals will go to for a fresh start. It serves as a cautionary tale about permanent ink, but also as an inspiring testament to personal growth and the painful commitment required to redefine one's public and private identity.