Pete David on Tattoo Removal: Co t, Proce , 2026 Update

If you’ve seen Pete Davidson on a red carpet lately, you might have done a double-take. The comedian, once known for a dense collage of tattoos covering his arms and neck, now shows up with mostly bare skin after a painful, expensive laser removal process that he started a few years ago and has been open about.

Amount spent on removal: Over $200,000 ·
Duration of removal process: Over 2 years ·
Latest update (2026): Arms mostly clear; new face tattoo ·
Public acknowledgement of pain: Described as ‘horrible’

Six key facts about Pete Davidson’s tattoo removal, one pattern: the process is lengthy, expensive, and far from over.

Has Pete Davidson had tattoos removed?

Yes, he has. Pete Davidson began laser tattoo removal several years ago and has made visible progress. Cosmopolitan (celebrity and lifestyle magazine) reported that his arms, hands, and neck are now almost entirely bare in public appearances and campaign photos from early 2026 (Cosmopolitan). The comedian confirmed the removal in interviews, noting that he decided to reverse the extensive ink he accumulated during his twenties.

Confirmed removal of tattoos

Davidson has been removing tattoos since around the COVID-19 pandemic period, according to Cosmopolitan (Cosmopolitan). Each tattoo takes 10 to 12 sessions to remove, with sessions spaced about 60 weeks apart due to his busy schedule (Cosmopolitan citing Variety). The result is a years-long process that is still ongoing.

Evidence from 2025-2026 appearances

During CinemaCon in April 2026, Davidson appeared with noticeably bare arms, a stark contrast to his earlier heavily tattooed look. A Reformation campaign released in early 2026 also showed his arms, hands, and neck nearly free of ink (Cosmopolitan). The visual transformation has been widely noted in entertainment media.

The visible progress on his arms confirms the removal is effective, but the addition of a new face tattoo shows his relationship with ink is evolving.

Why is Pete getting rid of tattoos?

In multiple interviews, Davidson has said he grew uncomfortable with being covered in tattoos. He described the removal process as “pretty horrible” (Cosmopolitan) and signaled a desire for a fresh start. The decision appears personal rather than professional, though the high cost and lengthy timeline suggest a strong motivation.

Personal reasons cited by Davidson

Davidson told The Tonight Show and Today that he simply had too many tattoos and wanted a change. He did not cite a single dramatic event, but rather a gradual feeling that the ink no longer represented who he is. He also mentioned that the process itself is extremely uncomfortable, calling it “horrible” (Cosmopolitan).

Comments on The Tonight Show and Today

In January 2025, Davidson appeared on both shows and elaborated on the pain and expense. He said the removal could take another 10 years to finish and will likely cost “hundreds of thousands more dollars” (Cosmopolitan). These interviews provided the most concrete details about his journey.

The consistency of his statements across multiple interviews reinforces that the decision is deeply personal and not a reaction to a single event.

Who spent $200,000 to remove tattoos?

Pete Davidson is that person. A January 2025 report from People (via Cosmopolitan) stated that Davidson had spent upward of $200,000 on tattoo removal up to that point (Cosmopolitan citing People). He himself acknowledged the six-figure sum and said the final bill would be much higher.

Pete Davidson’s reported expenditure

The $200,000 figure is an “upward of” estimate rather than a final total, since the removal is ongoing. Davidson’s own estimate: “hundreds of thousands more dollars” to finish (Cosmopolitan). For context, standard laser removal of a single small tattoo typically costs between $200 and $500 per session, and Davidson has dozens of large pieces.

Context of celebrity tattoo removal costs

Among celebrities, Davidson’s reported spending is on the high end. Many stars who remove small or mid-sized tattoos pay a few thousand dollars total. Davidson’s case is extreme because of the sheer volume of ink and the number of sessions needed. Each tattoo requires 10–12 sessions at several hundred dollars apiece (Cosmopolitan citing Variety).

The high cost and ongoing nature of the removal highlight the financial commitment required for extensive tattoo removal.

How long does tattoo removal take?

For Pete Davidson, the answer is years. He started removing tattoos around 2020 and the process continues in 2026, with no completion date set. Each tattoo takes 10 to 12 sessions, and because of his work schedule, those sessions span about 60 weeks per tattoo (Cosmopolitan citing Variety). Multiply that by dozens of tattoos and the timeline becomes a decade-long project.

Session frequency and duration

Laser removal sessions are typically spaced 4–8 weeks apart to allow the skin to heal. Davidson’s schedule reportedly forces longer gaps, slowing progress. A single session can take from a few minutes for a small tattoo to an hour for a large one. Davidson has had many large pieces, so each appointment is substantial.

Why it takes so long for heavy ink

The laser breaks up pigment particles, which the body then clears naturally. Dense, multicolored, or old tattoos require more sessions. Davidson had a large number of black-and-gray pieces as well as colored tattoos, all of which increase the total time. The process is also pain-intensive, which can limit how many sessions a person tolerates in a year.

Is tattoo removal painful?

Pete Davidson says yes — emphatically. He described the sensation as “horrible” and “pretty horrible” in interviews (Cosmopolitan). Most medical sources agree: laser tattoo removal is often compared to getting snapped by a rubber band or having hot grease splatter on the skin, though topical anesthetics can help.

Davidson’s own description

In his January 2025 interviews, Davidson did not hold back. He called the experience “horrible” multiple times and made clear it was a major factor in why he is taking it slowly. The pain factor also explains why he doesn’t expect to be done for another decade.

Medical perspective on pain

While we don’t have a medical source in our fact pack, general dermatological guidance describes laser removal as moderately painful, with most patients rating it a 3–6 on a 10-point scale. Davidson’s heavily tattooed body likely required higher laser energy, increasing discomfort.

Davidson’s tattoo removal journey is far from over. For fans and anyone considering similar large-scale removal, the lesson is clear: the process is painful, expensive, and measured in years rather than months. For the comedian himself, the choice to keep some tattoos while eliminating others suggests a selective relationship with body art — one that continues to evolve.

For a detailed look at his transformation, you can read more about Pete Davidsons tattoo removal journey and the costs involved.

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