The idea that “a tattoo is for life” has long been a common refrain used to discourage young people from getting inked. However, as comedian Pete Davidson has discovered, modern tattoo removal offers a way out, even for those with a heavily tattooed body.
Davidson, who began the process of removing approximately 200 tattoos around four years ago, recently showcased his nearly ink-free body in an ad campaign for fashion brand Reformation. In an appearance on The Tonight Show, he admitted the process has been “horrible,” claiming, “It’s worse [than getting a tattoo]. They’ve got to burn off a layer of your skin.” While his description may be more humorous exaggeration than fact, Davidson’s experience sheds light on the long and often painful journey of tattoo removal.
The reality of modern tattoo removal is far less extreme. Instead of “burning” off skin, the most common technique used today involves laser technology. High-intensity pulses of light break down the tattoo ink into smaller particles, which are then naturally eliminated by the body’s lymphatic system. According to Dr. Dev Patel, an aesthetic physician and founder of Perfect Skin Solutions Clinic in Portsmouth, the process requires multiple sessions, typically spaced six to eight weeks apart, to give the body time to clear away the fragmented ink. The “gold standard” for tattoo removal, Patel notes, is the use of a picosecond laser, which delivers ultra-short pulses of energy, measured in trillionths of a second, making it highly effective in breaking down the ink.
Davidson has reportedly spent around $200,000 (£159,000) on his tattoo removal journey, though the average person may spend far less. The cost of removal depends on the size of the tattoo, with small tattoos starting at £50 per session and larger tattoos costing around £100 or more per session. Since most tattoos require at least six sessions, the total cost can quickly add up.
Personal stylist Lindsay Edwards’ experience highlights another reason people seek tattoo removal. After getting her son’s name inked on her wrist in delicate, fine-line script, Edwards was initially pleased with the result. However, over time, the ink bled and became smudged. She covered it up with a new design, but over a decade later, she found herself wanting to remove it completely. After several cover-up attempts, she opted for removal, a process that has taken a year and a half and is expected to require a few more sessions.
For those considering removal, the most common question is about the pain. People who’ve undergone the procedure often describe it as more painful than getting the tattoo in the first place. “It’s like being pinged with a red-hot rubber band a million times a second,” says Sarah Wellband, who had a small rose design removed from her chest. Leadership consultant Jools Aspinall, who is removing three tattoos, compares the sensation to being repeatedly flicked with an elastic band that is on fire. Edwards likens the pain to “frying something and the hot oil catching your skin,” noting that the procedure is intensely painful during the session but subsides shortly after.
Despite the discomfort, many who have gone through the process find it worthwhile. “It’s absolutely worth it for me,” Edwards says, emphasizing that the final result will be worth the pain endured along the way.
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