Pete Davidson’s tattoos explained: From ink to laser removal

Pete Davidson has always stood out in Hollywood, not just because he’s funny but also because he used to have a lot of tattoos all over his body. His tattoos were a part of who he was for a long time. Each tattoo was a memory, a connection, a joke or a time when they were feeling something. As time went on, his body became a map of personal experiences that people found interesting and very human.

This article talks about Pete Davidson’s tattoos, including how he got them, what they meant to him and why he is currently getting rid of so many of them.

Who is Pete Davidson?

Pete Davidson is an American comedian, actor and writer. He was born on November 16, 1993, in Staten Island, New York. He’s best known for his work on saturday night in which he was a cast member from 2014 to 2022.

Why did Pete Davidson start getting tattoos?

Pete Davidson started getting tattoos as a young man, feeling that he was ugly and sad so he started covering up his body with tattoos. Pete Davidson was so much into keeping his worst memories as a tattoo on his body so he got his first tattoo by the name of ‘’swerve life’’. On his leg the tattoo was inspired by a song from a lyric big sean song ‘’Mercy’’. He had a total of 200 tattoos all over his body. Every single tattoo on his body had its own story.

Some of Pete’s most iconic tattoos

Pete’s tattoos were very random, they carried personal meaning about people ,places and so many memories or his roots. Here we will discuss some:

Life, love and relationships:

• He also got a tattoo of his father’s badge number after his father died in the 9/11 attacks. He had a total of 200 tattoos all over his body. Every single tattoo on his body had its own story.

• He also has a firefighter’s helmet with “343” tattoos below.

• At one stage, his body art featured tattoos dedicated to past relationships. For example once he dedicated his tattoos to his famous ex but after their split, many of those were covered up or removed.

Pop culture, humour and randomness

• Pete Davidson had a tattoo of a ghost + Pac-Man on his chest.

• On Pete’s hand: the word “REDRUM” A  reference to the horror classic The Shining.

• Pete Davidson also had more light-hearted tattoos: cartoons, pop-culture icons and whimsical designs, almost revolutionary public persona.

Personal identity and origins:

• In the centre of his chest was “93” referencing his birth year.

• On Pete Davidson’s left shoulder was a tattoo of a major bridge from his home area.

Why Pete Davidson removed tattoos?

In 2020 pete started removing those tattoos with laser tattoo removal treatment. He described feeling a need to be “covered up” during his time as a drug addict and now he wants to shed that past persona and pursue career advancement, as tattoos sometimes can be a barrier in the acting industry.

So he decided to remove most of the tattoos from the body and just to keep few sentimental tattoos such as his father’s ID.

The tattoo was tribute to his father from his son and other tattoos he kept on his body include mom tattoos, sopranos tattoos and few other tattoos.

Pete Davidson tattoos removal treatment

Getting rid of a tattoo isn’t easy, and Pete has talked about how difficult it can be. He famously said that getting rid of something with a laser feels like “being shot by an elastic band over and over again.”

It takes hours for Pete to remove each tattoo, and he has to go back several times. He often leaves clinics with red, swollen spots where his tattoos used to be, as seen in photos. Even with contemporary technologies, the process is slow and not very comfortable.

What this means for fans (especially here in Australia)

For Aussies or really anyone International who followed Pete’s antics, his tattoo journey offers  several engaging takeaway:

• Tattoos can tell a story: Pete’s collection was more than body art, it captured memories, sorrow, relationships and claims.
• What’s meaningful today may feel different later: As Pete’s removal shows, tattoos that made notice once, may not always age well with the person.
• Change is okay: It’s a reminder that bodies, interests and identity develop and it’s fine to start over, even physically.

What we can learn from Pete’s Davidson tattoos journey 

Pete’s experience with tattoos illustrates some broader truths about body art  relevant not only for fans in the USA, but for Aussies thinking of ink themselves.

• Think long-term: Tattoos may feel fun,impulsive but in time, interests, relationships and worths can change.
• Meaning matters: Tattoos tied to identity or loved ones tend to have staying power.
• Removal is no joke: As Pete admitted, removing tattoos can be painful, nonautomatic and emotionally taxing.
• People evolve: The body you tattoo today may not be the person you are tomorrow.

Conclusion

Pete Davidson’s tattoos have changed from being protective to becoming signs of maturity. They showed the problems he had, the people he met and the funny things that helped him get through them. His choice to get rid of many of them now demonstrates how much he has changed and how he intends to live the next chapter of his life.