It is kind of a shock to the system. You see a photo of Post Malone from 2015, and for a split second, your brain doesn't recognize him. He looks like a guy who might sell you a surfboard or help you find the organic kale at a high-end grocery store. No barbed wire across the forehead. No "Always Tired" scripted under his eyes. No giant sword on his cheek.
Basically, he’s a different human.
The internet goes through phases of obsession with Post Malone no tattoos images. Sometimes it’s a vintage "Pre Malone" photo from his high school days in Texas. Other times, it's a fan using high-end Photoshop or AI to "scrub" his face clean. But the most recent surge in interest actually comes from his professional life. Posty has started popping up in movies and high-budget music videos where his ink is completely gone.
Seeing him bare-faced in 2026 isn't just about curiosity anymore. It's about seeing the actor behind the rockstar.
The Viral Moments: When Posty Went "Inkless"
You’ve probably seen the "Fortnight" music video with Taylor Swift. That was a big one. People lost their minds seeing him without the face stamps. It wasn't laser surgery; it was a massive effort by a dedicated makeup team. Covering that much dark ink takes hours in a makeup chair. They use heavy-duty color correctors—usually orange or red tones—to neutralize the blue and black ink before layering on a foundation that matches his skin tone perfectly.
It’s a grueling process.
Imagine sitting still for four hours just so someone can paint over your life’s history. Posty has done this several times now for various roles. When he co-starred with Mark Wahlberg in Spenser Confidential, the conversation about his look became a whole thing. Wahlberg, who famously spent years getting his own tattoos lasered off, actually tried to talk Post into doing the same.
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Wahlberg told him it feels like "hot bacon grease" being flicked on your skin. Posty’s response? He basically told Mark he was good and proceeded to get even more tattoos.
Why he actually started getting them
Post has been super honest about why he started tattooing his face. It wasn't just to look like a "rockstar." In a 2020 interview with GQ, he dropped a pretty heavy truth bomb. He said he thinks he’s an "ugly-ass motherf***er."
The tattoos were a defense mechanism.
"It does maybe come from a place of insecurity, to where I don’t like how I look, so I’m going to put something cool on there so I can look at myself and say, ‘You look cool, kid,’ and have a modicum of self-confidence when it comes to my appearance."
That’s a level of vulnerability you don't usually get from a guy who sings about "Rockstars" and "Bentleys." It turns the whole Post Malone no tattoos conversation from a visual gimmick into something much more human. When we look at those old photos of him with a "clean" face, we're looking at a version of Austin Post that he wasn't particularly comfortable with.
The Evolution of the "Face Canvas"
If you track his career, the ink didn't happen all at once. It was a slow creep.
- The Early Days (2015-2016): During the "White Iverson" era, his face was mostly clear. He had some braids, a gold tooth, and maybe a few pieces on his arms.
- The Breaking Point: He says Justin Bieber actually inspired his first tattoo. They were hanging out, and Post wanted to show he was "tougher" than the Biebs. He got a Playboy bunny on his forearm.
- The Face Takeover (2017-2020): This is when the "Stay Away" above the eyebrow and the "Always Tired" appeared. He once joked he got the under-eye ones because he’s always, well, tired.
- The Actor Era (2024-2026): This is where we are now. He’s comfortable enough in his skin (and his career) to let makeup artists hide the tattoos for the sake of a character.
Honestly, the "clean" look makes him look remarkably like his father, Rich Post. When fans saw the photoshopped versions of him without the beard and tattoos, they realized he’s basically a clone of his dad.
The "Pre Malone" Aesthetic vs. Reality
There’s a weird nostalgia for the 2015 version of Post. People call it the "Pre Malone" era. He was a skinny kid from Grapevine, Texas, making beats in his bedroom.
But here’s the thing: Posty is probably healthier now than he was back then. He’s lost a significant amount of weight—something he attributes to cutting out soda and just being a dad. So, when people search for Post Malone no tattoos today, they aren't just seeing a "clean" version of the old Posty. They’re seeing a fit, mature, and much more sober version of the artist.
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It’s funny because even without the tattoos, he still has that "Posty" energy. It’s in the way he carries himself. You can take the "Always Tired" off his face with some concealer, but you can’t take the character out of the man.
Will He Ever Actually Remove Them?
Short answer: Probably not.
Despite Mark Wahlberg’s best efforts to scare him with tales of laser pain, Post seems to view his tattoos as a map of his journey. He’s mentioned that seeing himself without them feels "bizarre" now. They’ve become a part of his identity.
Also, laser removal for that much ink would be a multi-year project. We’re talking dozens of sessions. Each session leaves the skin raw and blistered. For someone who is constantly on tour or in front of a camera, the downtime alone makes it almost impossible.
What can you do if you're looking for that "Clean" Posty vibe?
If you're fascinated by the transformation, there are a few things to keep in mind about the reality of tattoo coverage and the "no tattoo" look:
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- Makeup is the only real "instant" fix: If you’re trying to cover your own ink for a job or an event, look for brands like Dermablend or Kryolan. That's what the pros use on Posty.
- Appreciate the "Before" photos for what they are: They represent a kid with a dream. The "After" represents a man who achieved it and decided to wear his success (and his insecurities) on his sleeve—and his face.
- Don't trust every "un-tattooed" photo you see online: A lot of them are AI-generated now. They tend to smooth out his skin too much, making him look like a porcelain doll. The real Austin Post has texture, scars, and personality.
Watching Post Malone navigate his fame while looking so distinct is a lesson in authenticity. Whether he’s covered in ink or hidden under a layer of Hollywood makeup, he’s still the same guy who loves Bud Light, Olive Garden, and making music that hits you right in the feels.
Check out his latest film credits or music videos to see the makeup team's work in action—it's truly a masterclass in special effects. For now, the tattoos are here to stay, and honestly, the music wouldn't feel quite the same without them.