Kat Von D, the celebrity tattoo artist and former LA Ink star, is no stranger to bold choices—but her latest transformation may be her most dramatic yet. Over the past five years, she has been undergoing a personal and physical reinvention, including covering 80% of her body with blackout tattoos.

In a series of Instagram posts, the 43-year-old revealed she’s spent nearly 40 hours across 17 tattoo sessions getting blackout work. The reason? To cover up past tattoos that no longer represent who she is.

“I had many tattoos that represented a part of my life that no longer aligns with who I am today,” she wrote. “Some people are fine keeping those memories on their bodies. I grew tired of waking up to them.”

Not Just a Tattoo—A Whole New Life

Kat Von D’s blackout transformation isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s deeply tied to her spiritual and lifestyle changes. In recent years, she’s walked away from her former identity rooted in fame, glamour, and even witchcraft.

Now, she’s traded her Los Angeles lifestyle for a quiet life in rural Indiana, where she and her family are renovating a Victorian home and planning to build a homestead. She’s also found faith and attends church regularly, including participating in women’s Bible study and choir practice.

“I love it,” she told Inked Magazine. “We bought a beautiful piece of land. It’s peaceful and exactly what I needed.”

Why Not Just Laser the Old Tattoos?

Fans have naturally asked: Why not just remove the old tattoos with laser treatments? Kat says she tried—but it wasn’t the right option for her.

“Laser removal is slow and extremely painful,” she explained. “Some tattoos take more than 10 sessions to remove, and the healing in between takes forever.”

Given the size and density of her past tattoos, she decided blackout tattoos made more sense—both practically and emotionally.

She also addressed criticism about covering her skin in so much ink, writing, “Maybe before commenting on any negativity, just remind yourself: What you consider ugly might be beautiful to someone else.”

Is It Safe to Tattoo That Much?

Some fans have voiced concerns over the health risks of inking so much of her body. Kat, however, isn’t worried.

“I’ve been getting tattooed for nearly three decades and have never felt a negative effect,” she said. “Honestly, I think most of the food people eat is more toxic than tattoo ink.”

She also made it clear she has no plans to tattoo white ink over the black, though she’s seen some beautiful examples of it done by others.

Music Over Makeup

While Kat Von D has stepped back from the beauty industry—selling her shares in her once-iconic makeup brand—her creativity is far from fading.

Now, she’s channeling her energy into music, something she’s loved since childhood. She started playing piano at age six and has recently leaned into her passion more seriously.

“Music has always been my biggest passion,” she said. “But I let a decade or two get consumed by TV and business.”

She admits that transitioning from reality TV to music might raise eyebrows.

“I totally get it. There aren’t many examples of people going from entertainment to music and being taken seriously,” she said. “But I’m not doing this for anyone’s approval. This is about being true to myself.”

A New Chapter, Inked in Black

For Kat Von D, this isn’t just a new look—it’s a full-on reinvention. From her move to the countryside and embrace of faith to her shift from makeup mogul to musician, every blackout tattoo represents a step away from who she used to be—and a step closer to who she is now.

And while her blackout ink may not be for everyone, it’s a deeply personal symbol of change, healing, and letting go.

“I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea,” she wrote. “But this journey has been beautiful.”