Pete Davidson Details “Horrible” Process of Burning Off Most of His 200 Tattoos

Saturday Night Live alum Pete Davidson shed light on how the years-long process of burning off nearly all of his 200 tattoos has been going.

By Gibson Johns Jan 31, 2025 5:00 PM
| Updated Jan 31, 2025 6:47 PM
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Watch: Pete Davidson Details “Horrible” Process of Burning Off Some of His 200 Tattoos

Pete Davidson is nearly done removing all of the tattoos from his body, body, body.

The Saturday Night Live alum gave an update on the years-long process of removing his signature ink, which he began "burning off" back in 2020, revealing that his tattoos are "almost gone" and calling the process "horrible."

"They gotta burn off a layer of your skin and then it has to heal for, like, six to eight weeks and you can't get in the sunlight," Pete told Jimmy Fallon as he pushed up his sleeves on the Jan. 30 episode of The Tonight Show. "And then you gotta do it, like, 12 more times."

The comedian went on to explain that the pain involved in getting his tattoos removed has been "worse" than getting them in the first place.

Turning to the audience, he said, "So really think about that Game of Thrones tattoo you're thinking of getting, all right? Really think about it."

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Pete Davidson's Stacked Dating History

The King of Staten Island star shared that he had around 200 tattoos before he started getting them removed and attributed his collection of ink to being "a sad boy."

"So you would just think of something and go get it?" Jimmy asked Pete, who responded, "Yeah, it was a weird time."

"I don't know, everybody was getting tattoos, like, five years ago," he continued. "Do you remember that?"

Pete used Post Malone's decision to get the words "always" and "tired" inked under both of his eyes as an example of celebrities getting inked.

"I was like, 'Yeah, me too, dude,'" he joked. "'I'm exhausted.'"

Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images

While he's resolute about going all the way in the tattoo removal process, the Dumb Money actor did admit that he keep a few intact.

"Maybe like two or three, but I'm trying to clean slate it," Pete explained. "Trying to be an adult."

Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for AT&T and DIRECTV / Virisa Yong/BFA.com/Shutterstock

The 31-year-old had previously explained that he decided to undergo such a drastic transformation was to open up more roles for himself as he continues to pursue his acting career.

"I honestly never thought that I would get an opportunity to act, and I love it a lot," he told Seth Meyers on The Late Show in 2021, noting that many of his on-screen roles had previously required him to up to three hours getting his tattoos covered up by makeup. "For some reason, people in movies, they don't have [tattoos] that much."

Keep reading for more stars' tattoos.

Jason Momoa

After shaving off some of his hair, the Aquaman star revealed a new head tattoo in September 2022 that he said has been "20 years in the making."

JoJo Siwa

The "Karma" singer unveiled a bicep tattoo of a teddy bear with angel wings in June 2024. The design was a nod to the cover art of her Guilty Pleasure album.

Elle King

In April 2024, the "Ex's and Oh's" singer debuted a new tattoo—located on her rear—that paid tribute to some very important men in her life.

"I always said I'd get my baby daddys name tattooed on my butt…so I did," Elle, who is the daughter of Rob Schneider, wrote on Instagram. "I got 'brethren' for the men helping me raise my son. I love you guys so much, I wouldn't want to do life without yall."

Grimes

The "Genesis" singer unveiled her large face tattoo in October 2022, sharing that she spent 10 years "emotionally working up" to it.

Travis Barker

The Blink-182 drummer got a tattoo reading "Time Flies" in August 2023 after taking his 30th flight since surviving his 2008 plane crash.

Taylor Lautner & Tay Lautner

In March 2023, the Twilight actor and his wife got matching tattoos honoring their wedding date.

Amanza Smith

The Selling Sunset star debuted a face tattoo, which read "invincible" in script and sits beneath her jawline, in April 2022.

Shawn Mendes

The "Stitches" singer debuted a tattoo on the back of his neck in March 2022.

Maisie Williams

After filming Game of Thrones' final season, the actress added some symbolic ink to her tattoo collection in loving memory of her character Arya Stark.

Emilia Clarke

Forever MOD! The Game Of Thrones star permanently inked a dragon tattoo on her wrist after wrapping the final season of the show.

Joe Jonas & Sophie Turner

While celebrating their engagement in 2018, the Jonas Brothers singer and the Game of Thrones alum got matching Toy Story tattoos. They pair broke up in 2023 after four years of marriage.