Introduction: The Man of a Thousand Inkings

Have you ever looked at a piece of paper and just started doodling because you were bored? For most of us, that doodle ends up in the recycling bin. For Pete Davidson, those doodles became a permanent part of his skin. Or at least, they were permanent for a while. If you’ve followed his career from the early days of Saturday Night Live to his leading roles in Hollywood, you know that Pete Davidson tattoos have been as much a part of his brand as his self-deprecating humor.

At one point, Pete was walking around with over 200 individual pieces of ink covering his arms, neck, chest, and even his legs. It was a chaotic, beautiful, and sometimes “cringey” (his words, not mine!) collection that told the story of his life in real-time. But lately, you might have noticed something different. The “coloring book” look is fading. In this deep dive, we are going to explore the history of Pete Davidson tattoos, the stories behind the most famous pieces, and why he’s currently spending a fortune to make them all disappear.

The Origin Story: Why Pete Started Getting Inked

To understand why Pete Davidson became a human canvas, we have to look at the emotional side of his life. Pete has been very open about his struggles with mental health and Crohn’s disease. In interviews, he’s shared that for him, tattooing was often a way to cope with internal pain. It was a physical release—a way to turn emotional “noise” into something tangible and artistic.

A Tribute to a Hero

One of the earliest and most significant Pete Davidson tattoos is the number “8418” on his left arm. This isn’t just a random set of digits; it’s the badge number of his father, Scott Davidson. Scott was a New York City firefighter who heroically lost his life during the September 11th attacks. Pete was only seven years old at the time, and this tattoo serves as a permanent memorial to his dad. It’s one of the few pieces Pete has gone on record saying he will likely never remove.+2

The “Doodle” Aesthetic

Unlike some celebrities who spend years planning a full “sleeve” with a single artist, Pete’s style was much more impulsive. He worked frequently with artists like Jon Mesa to add small, quirky designs whenever the mood struck. This led to a “sticker-book” look—lots of small, unrelated tattoos crowded together. From The Grinch to Shark Tank logos, if Pete liked it in the moment, he got it on his skin.

The Romance Record: Tattoos of Famous Exes

We can’t talk about Pete Davidson tattoos without mentioning his habit of tattooing his relationships onto his body. It’s a bold move, and as many of us know, it can lead to some awkward cover-ups later on. Pete has joked that he’s a “hopeless romantic,” and his skin certainly proves it.

The Ariana Grande Era

When Pete and Ariana Grande had their whirlwind romance and engagement in 2018, they didn’t just share a zip code; they shared a tattoo artist. Pete got several tattoos dedicated to the singer:

• The Bunny Ears: He had Ariana’s iconic Dangerous Woman mask tattooed behind his ear.
• The Initials: “AG” on his thumb.
• H2GKMO: An acronym for “Honest to God, Knock Me Out,” a favorite phrase of hers.

When the couple split, these tattoos had to go. The bunny ears were transformed into a large black heart, and the neck tattoos were covered with words like “CURSED.”

The Kim Kardashian Branding

Perhaps the most shocking entry in the history of Pete Davidson tattoos came during his relationship with Kim Kardashian. He didn’t just get a tattoo; he got a literal branding. Pete had the name “KIM” burned into his chest with a hot iron. Why? Because he wanted something that couldn’t be covered up with a simple tattoo removal.

Beyond the brand, he also had “My girl is a lawyer” inked on his collarbone and “KNSCP” on his neck—the initials of Kim and her four children. Since their breakup, these have also become targets for his laser removal journey.

Why Is He Removing Them? The $200,000 Question

By 2020, Pete Davidson made a decision that shocked his fans: he was going to remove almost all of his tattoos. If you’ve ever had a tattoo, you know that getting one is a walk in the park compared to getting one removed. So, why would someone with 200 tattoos decide to wipe the slate clean?

Professional Practicality

One of the biggest reasons is his acting career. In movies like The King of Staten Island, Pete had to spend three to four hours in the makeup chair every single morning just to cover his tattoos with body makeup. He realized that if he wanted to play a wider variety of roles, he couldn’t spend half his workday getting painted. By removing the Pete Davidson tattoos, he’s essentially making himself more “castable” for different types of characters.

A Fresh Mental Start

In recent interviews, Pete has shared a deeper, more personal reason. He’s mentioned that many of his tattoos remind him of a “sad person” he used to be. As he’s embraced sobriety and focused more on his mental health, he’s felt the need for a “clean slate.” He told Jimmy Fallon that the process is “horrible” but necessary for his growth.

“I’m just removing them and starting fresh, because that’s what I think works best for me and for my brain. When I look in the mirror, I don’t want the reminder of ‘Oh yeah, you were a drug addict.'” — Pete Davidson on his removal process.

The Reality of Tattoo Removal: What It’s Really Like

If you’re thinking about following in Pete’s footsteps and lasering off an old flame’s name, you should know what you’re getting into. Pete has described the pain of laser removal as a “10 out of 10.” According to his doctors, it feels like someone is snapping a high-powered rubber band against your skin while simultaneously burning it.

The Stats of the Removal

• The Cost: It is estimated that Pete has spent upwards of $200,000 on his removal sessions.
• The Time: It takes about 10 to 12 sessions to fully clear a single tattoo. You also have to wait 6 to 8 weeks between sessions to let the skin heal.
• The Current Status: As of early 2026, Pete is roughly 50–70% done. His neck and hands are mostly clear, and his arms are significantly faded.

The Tattoos He’s Keeping

Despite the massive cleanup, Pete isn’t getting rid of everything. There are certain Pete Davidson tattoos that hold too much sentimental value to ever erase.

1. The 9/11 Tribute: As mentioned, his father’s badge number is staying put.
2. The “MOM TATTOO”: Pete has a very close relationship with his mother, Amy. He actually has a tattoo that literally says “MOM TATTOO” because she once asked why he never got one for her.
3. Sopranos Tribute: Pete is a huge fan of The Sopranos and has expressed interest in keeping those pieces as they represent his love for New York culture.

How Pete Influenced Tattoo Culture

Believe it or not, Pete Davidson actually helped popularize a specific style of tattooing known as “Ignorant Style” or “Doodle Style.” Before he started removing them, thousands of people were inspired by his “I don’t care” approach to ink.

He proved that tattoos didn’t always have to be deep, meaningful masterpieces. They could be fun, impulsive, and even a bit silly. While he may be moving away from that look now, his impact on the “Scumbro” aesthetic of the late 2010s will definitely be remembered in the fashion and art worlds.

Conclusion: A New Chapter for Pete

The journey of Pete Davidson tattoos is a perfect metaphor for his life. It’s been messy, impulsive, emotional, and public. By choosing to remove the ink, Pete isn’t just changing his appearance; he’s showing the world that it’s okay to outgrow your past versions. Whether you loved the “coloring book” look or prefer the clean-cut version we see in the 2025 Reformation campaigns, you have to respect the commitment to starting over.

What do you think about Pete’s decision to remove his ink? Do you have a tattoo you regret, or do you think every piece of ink is a permanent part of your story? Let us know your thoughts! If you found this guide helpful, feel free to share it with your friends who are obsessed with celebrity ink.

FAQs About Pete Davidson Tattoos

1. How many tattoos did Pete Davidson have at his peak?

At one point, Pete estimated he had over 200 tattoos covering nearly his entire body, from his neck down to his feet.

2. Is Pete Davidson really removing all of his tattoos?

He is removing the vast majority of them, but not every single one. He plans to keep his sentimental tattoos, like the ones dedicated to his parents.

3. How much does it cost to remove Pete Davidson’s tattoos?

Reports suggest he has spent around $200,000 so far. The high cost is due to the sheer number of tattoos and the use of top-tier laser specialists in New York.

4. Which tattoo of Pete’s was the most controversial?

The “KIM” branding is widely considered his most controversial “ink,” as it was a permanent scar created with a branding iron rather than traditional tattoo ink.

5. Why did Pete Davidson get a tattoo of Hillary Clinton?

Pete is a big fan of the former Secretary of State and called her a “hero.” He got the tattoo in 2017, and she even thanked him for it on Instagram!

6. Does Pete Davidson have any face tattoos?

Fortunately for his removal process, Pete never went full “face tattoo.” He mostly stuck to his neck, chest, and limbs, which made the transition back to a “clean” look a bit easier for his acting career.

7. Who is the artist behind most of Pete Davidson’s tattoos?

His go-to artist for many years was Jon Mesa, based in New York. Mesa has spoken in interviews about how Pete would often come in for multiple tattoos in a single session.

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