If I Get a Chemical Peel on my Shoulders Where my Tattoo is What Will It Do?

Chemical peels should not affect a tattoo. It would, of course, depend on the chemical peel itself; the actual chemicals and acids compounded to make the specific peel.  It would also depend on the intensity of the peel - superficial or deep.  In regards to tattoos, as we all age, the tattoo will lighten and the skin will lose collagen, so the tattoo over time, will also not look as “fresh” as you first get them.

When a tattoo is placed in the skin, the tattoo pigments is placed in the deeper layers of the skin, known as the dermis. Chemical Peels are categorized by the depth of peeling they cause in the skin. In general, light or superficial peels affect the very top layers of the skin, while stronger or deep peels can affect the dermis. Superficial peels are the most common types, while mid to deep peels are sometimes performed for more severe scarring. Superficial peels should not affect the appearance of a tattoo. However, a deeper chemical peel can theoretically affect it's appearance. As well, laser resurfacing, which is another common way for treating acne scarring, can also affect the appearance of your tattoo. I would recommend speaking to your dermatologist to see what type of peels you had in the past, and see if these treatments could react with your tattoo.

Since tattoo pigments are placed in various portions of the dermis (the deeper portion of skin), most superficial and even medium peels should not have a significant effect on tattoos in the short term.  Deeper peels are likely to lighten and may even react to some tattoo pigments.  Long term, a process known as phagocytosis eventually causes the pigments to lighten and discolor.  Medium to deep peels aimed at causing an increased collagen activity and other regenerative processes will hasten the discoloration that all tattoos undergo over time.