What should you know about curing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation?

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is extra pigment left after skin inflammation or injury. It can follow acne, eczema, burns, bites, rashes, or picking. The mark may be tan, brown, grey, or deeper than the surrounding skin, and its depth in the skin affects how quickly it lightens. Dark patches on skin and uneven skin tone can have other explanations, so a clinician should check an uncertain diagnosis rather than treating every mark as PIH.

Treat the active cause first: avoid squeezing acne and follow a suitable plan for acne or atopic dermatitis. Protect exposed skin from ultraviolet light with sunscreen, shade, and clothing. Use a bland moisturiser and introduce one pigment-focused product at a time to reduce irritation. Depending on the mark and your skin type, a clinician may discuss skin brightening treatment, a chemical peel, or picosecond laser treatment. Stop a product that causes burning, blistering, or a worsening rash and arrange advice.

Arrange an assessment if a mark changes shape or colour, bleeds, crusts, becomes painful, or appears without a clear episode of inflammation. Seek care for widespread new pigmentation, a rapidly worsening rash, or inflammation with swelling or fever. Review is also helpful when marks persist despite controlling the original skin problem, because a different pigment condition may need different care.

Ask what triggered the pigment, whether the original condition is controlled, which ingredients suit your skin, and how to introduce them. Discuss whether a procedure is appropriate, what downtime to expect, and how recurrence or irritation will be managed.