What should you know about burn hyperpigmentation?

Inflammation can stimulate pigment-producing cells, leaving a brown, grey, or darker patch after the burn surface has healed. The colour may be uneven and can stand out more after sun exposure or renewed irritation. A clinician may check whether the pattern fits post-inflammatory change or whether another condition is contributing, especially when dark patches occur away from the burn, have scale, or follow a different distribution.

Pigment can be present without active infection, but pain, warmth, drainage, or an open surface points to a separate healing concern that needs review.

Keep healed skin moisturised with a gentle, fragrance-free product and protect it from sunlight using shade, clothing, and sunscreen suited to your skin. Avoid picking, harsh scrubs, and untested lightening mixtures. Once the barrier is intact, a clinician may consider skin brightening treatment, topical hydroquinone treatment, a chemical peel, IPL photofacial, or picosecond laser treatment; choice depends on pigment depth, skin tone, and risk of irritation.

Get prompt care for increasing pain, warmth, swelling, pus, fever, rapidly spreading redness, or a burn that has not closed. Ask for assessment of a mark that changes quickly, bleeds, crusts, becomes a firm lump, or appears without a clear injury. Stop any product that causes burning or peeling and seek advice if irritation persists.

Ask whether the darkening is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, when treatment is safe to start, and how to reduce irritation during pigment care. Discuss whether topical hydroquinone treatment, a chemical peel, IPL photofacial, picosecond laser treatment, or another approach suits your skin and the healed burn.