Pete Davidson shelled out a considerable sum to diminish the ink that once adorned his skin. According to a source who spoke to PEOPLE, the 30-year-old actor and former Saturday Night Live star has forked over a whopping $200,000 to undergo the arduous process of eradicating his numerous tattoos. "He woke up one morning with a sudden urge to bid farewell to his tattoos, embarking on a years-long journey to remove them," revealed the source.
Another insider added that the tattoo removal signifies a new chapter for Davidson, who "has been sober since September and has even gained twenty pounds." The tipster further shared, "He's on a roll, with everything pointing in the right direction. Plus, he's receiving rave reviews for his latest film."
During the promotion of his new movie Dog Man on the Friday, Jan. 31 episode of Today, Davidson opened up about the excruciating pain he's enduring during the tattoo removal process. As he rolled up his sleeve to reveal the fading ink on his forearm, he told hosts Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin, "It's pretty gruesome. So, if you're watching and contemplating getting inked, make sure it's something you truly desire, because it's a hassle to get rid of." He added, "Most of it's pretty much gone now."
Davidson embarked on his lengthy tattoo removal journey in 2020 and attributed his desire for a change in appearance to his sobriety. He shared, "After getting sober, I looked in the mirror and thought, 'Who's that?' I realized I needed a slight makeover." In July 2024, he checked into a wellness facility, following treatments for PTSD and borderline personality disorder in 2023.
Davidson's tattoos ranged from tributes to his ex-girlfriends to a portrait of Hillary Clinton. However, he's been vocal about his intention to bid farewell to his ink since at least 2020, citing his acting career as a motivation. "I never thought I'd get a chance to act, and I absolutely love it," he previously said on Late Night with Seth Meyers in May 2021. "It takes like three hours of makeup to cover all your tattoos. For some reason, people in movies don't have them that much."
A few months later, Davidson gave an update to PEOPLE about his tattoo removal progress, expressing his hope to complete it by the time he turned 30. "I'll get my next treatment in about a month. They said by the time I'm 30, they should all be gone. So, I have about two more years of this," he explained.
Laser tattoo removal is the most prevalent method, typically performed by a licensed dermatologist or surgeon. Some individuals opt for surgical excisions and dermabrasion. Depending on the procedure and the individual's pain tolerance, anesthesia may be required.
Among Davidson's more notable tattoos was the "My girl is a lawyer" tat, a nod to his former girlfriend Kim Kardashian passing the baby bar in December 2021. He also had the initials "KNSCP" inked on his body, representing Kardashian and her four children's initials — North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm, whom she shares with her ex-husband Kanye West. Davidson also immortalized a memorable moment with the 44-year-old reality star on his skin. After Kardashian appeared in an SNL skit with him in 2021, the Bodies Bodies Bodies star added the names "Aladdin" and "Jasmine" and an infinity sign, referencing a scene where they shared a kiss.
A source previously told PEOPLE that Davidson still keeps in touch with some of his exes from time to time. "He's still friends with almost all his exes. Nothing bad happened between him and Madelyn [Cline]. It just fizzled out. He and Kim still talk occasionally. He's a great guy, and they root for him," added the source.
