What if your entire identity was etched on your skin—and you decided to erase it? That’s the bold question facing one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars. Over the past few years, you’ve likely spotted a dramatic change in this Saturday Night Live alum’s appearance. Gone are the sleeves of ink that once defined his look, replaced by patches of bare skin that tell a story of reinvention.

This transformation isn’t just a quick makeover. Starting in 2020, the comedian began a years-long journey to shed what he’s called reminders of a “darker past.” With nearly 200 pieces of body art originally covering his frame, the process has been both costly and time-consuming. Reports suggest he’s already invested six figures into laser treatments, with visible results appearing across his arms, neck, and torso.

But here’s what makes this story fascinating: even after significant progress, the work is far from over. Experts estimate the full removal could take until 2030. Why commit to such an intense process? For this star, it’s about more than aesthetics—it’s a physical manifestation of personal growth that fans have watched unfold in real time.

Key Takeaways

• The comedian began removing his body art during the pandemic, with treatments still ongoing
• Over $200,000 has been spent so far, with only 30% of the work completed
• Full removal is projected to take 10+ years from start to finish
• Visible changes are most noticeable in recent shirtless photos and ad campaigns
• Motivations include personal evolution and distancing from past struggles

Background: Pete Davidson’s Tattoo Journey

Skin tells stories, and for one comedian, each mark was a chapter he’s now rewriting. The collection of body art that once covered his frame wasn’t just decoration—it mirrored a turbulent period of self-doubt and impulsive decisions. From cartoon characters to political figures, every piece carried hidden weight.

Exploring His Past Ink and Life Choices

During what he calls his “sad boy era,” the Saturday Night Live alum used body modifications as armor. A SpongeBob design smoking a joint sprawled across his back, while Winnie the Pooh and Hillary Clinton peeked from other areas. “I felt ugly,” he later admitted, explaining how ink became a coping mechanism during battles with addiction.

Many designs reflected cultural trends of the mid-2010s, when tattoo culture boomed. What started as casual decisions soon turned into a full-body mosaic—a visual diary of pain and rebellion.

How Body Art Became a Signature Look

Those colorful creations didn’t just hide insecurities—they shaped a public persona. Talk show hosts constantly asked about his ink, while paparazzi shots highlighted new additions. Over time, the patches of artwork became as recognizable as his comedy style.

Fans connected the dots between his self-deprecating humor and the chaotic gallery on his skin. What began as personal therapy unexpectedly cemented his status as Hollywood’s most visibly raw storyteller.

The Process: did pete davidson remove all his tattoos

Transforming your appearance through laser treatments isn’t like changing outfits—it’s a grueling marathon requiring surgical precision. The journey from inked skin to blank canvas involves cutting-edge technology, meticulous planning, and enough patience to outlast a decade.

Inside the Tattoo Removal Techniques and Sessions

Laser treatments work by breaking down ink particles through rapid pulses of concentrated light. Each session essentially vaporizes layers of skin where pigment resides. “It feels like hot bacon grease splattering on you,” one technician describes the sensation.

Here’s what you’d experience:

• 10-12 appointments per design spread over 60+ weeks
• Strict sun avoidance during 6-8 week healing windows
• Gradual fading that accelerates after multiple treatments

Understanding the Pain, Time, and Costs Involved

Visible progress comes slowly. While arms and neck show nearly clear results after years of work, larger torso pieces remain stubborn. Scheduling becomes a puzzle—film shoots can’t overlap with recovery periods requiring total UV protection.

Consider these realities:

• Six-figure investments for partial results
• Career adjustments to accommodate healing phases
• Ongoing treatments projected through 2030

For those inspired by this transformation, remember: laser removal demands more than money. It requires rethinking your calendar, pain management, and accepting that some ink shadows might linger forever.

Media Perspectives and Fan Reactions

When a public figure transforms their look, it doesn’t just spark gossip—it becomes cultural commentary. The shift from inked rebel to clean-cut actor has dominated headlines, with everyone from late-night hosts to fashion brands weighing in.

Interviews, TV Appearances, and Public Statements

You’ve likely caught the star’s candid revelations on The Tonight Show, where he compared laser sessions to “getting attacked by a tiny sun.” During a Late Night with Seth Meyers segment, he joked about career practicality: “You can’t play Superman if you’ve got ‘Miley Cyrus’ written on your collarbone.”

His transparency extends beyond comedy. In a TODAY show interview, he framed the process as self-care: “It’s like shedding old skin—literally.” These moments reveal how personal growth became public spectacle.

Ad Campaign Highlights and Social Media Buzz

Remember that viral Reformation ad? Clean shoulders and a tattoo-free torso announced his new chapter louder than any press release. Fans flooded Twitter with side-by-side comparisons of his Dog Man movie promo shots and earlier inked appearances.

Social media debates rage about whether the transformation helps or hinders his “relatable guy” image. One trending TikTok edit pairs shirtless campaign photos with his self-deprecating jokes about the process—proof that every fade tells a story.

Conclusion

Transformation isn’t about erasing the past—it’s about choosing what stays. While most body art fades, a select few pieces remain as anchors to personal history. The star’s choice to preserve “maybe two or three” meaningful designs shows how we can honor growth without clinging to what no longer serves us.

This journey goes beyond skin-deep changes. Laser sessions sync with career milestones like voicing Dog Man and hosting gigs, proving self-reinvention fuels professional evolution. The Saturday Night Live alum openly shares how shedding ink parallels shedding old mindsets—a powerful message for anyone rebuilding their life.

What’s most striking? The process normalizes changing your mind about permanent choices. By treating body modifications as evolving self-expression rather than lifelong commitments, it sparks conversations about mental health and second chances. While treatments continue through 2030, each fading mark writes a new chapter in this very public healing story.

For those considering similar changes, remember: transformation takes time, resources, and courage. But as this star shows, rewriting your story—one laser pulse at a time—can inspire others to embrace their own fresh starts.