Turning Over a New Leaf

Pete Davidson, known for his extensive tattoo collection—reportedly around 200 pieces—announced his decision to embark on a journey towards tattoo removal. This significant shift in his life reflects a desire to not only improve his physical appearance but also to promote mental well-being.

Impact on Career and Personal Growth

In 2020, Davidson first disclosed his intentions to become tattoo-free, highlighting the negative impact of his tattoos on his acting career. The lengthy process of covering them up often hindered his ability to secure movie roles. Recently, in an interview with Variety, he elaborated on a more personal motivation behind this transformation.

A Journey Towards Healing

Davidson candidly shared, “I used to be a drug addict and I was a sad person, and I felt ugly and that I needed to be covered up.” This reflection emphasizes his desire to remove tattoos that serve as reminders of a troubled past, stating, “When I look in the mirror, I don’t want the reminder of ‘Oh yeah, you were a f***ing drug addict. Like, that’s why you have SpongeBob smoking a joint on your back.’”

The Painful Process of Tattoo Removal

Despite the challenging nature of tattoo removal, Davidson has made substantial progress in the last five years. He has successfully removed tattoos from his arms, hands, and neck, though he acknowledges that each tattoo can require between 10 to 12 laser sessions over more than a year. At this pace, he anticipates that it could take up to a decade before he is completely tattoo-free.

On the painful experience of tattoo removal, he metaphorically described it as “putting your arm on a grill and burning off a layer. It sucks, I’m not gonna lie.” Nevertheless, Davidson remains committed to this transformative journey, viewing it as essential for his mental health.