Perioral Dermatitis and Hyperpigmentation

Inflamed or repeatedly rubbed skin may produce extra pigment after the visible rash improves. The colour can look brown, grey, or uneven and may remain after the bumps, scaling, and burning have eased. Dark marks are different from active inflammation, so adding strong lightening or exfoliating products too early may cause more irritation.

Treat the underlying rash with the plan given by a clinician and avoid picking, scrubbing, peels, and fragranced products. Use a bland moisturiser if tolerated and protect the area from daylight with shade, a hat, and a suitable broad-spectrum sunscreen. Introduce pigment treatments only after the dermatitis is calm and a clinician has checked the product. Improvement in colour is gradual; repeated flares can create new marks.

Book an assessment when pigmentation is spreading, changing quickly, painful, or accompanied by renewed bumps and scaling. Seek prompt help for eye symptoms, facial swelling, blistering, fever, or a rapidly spreading rash. A dermatologist can distinguish post-inflammatory colour change from melasma, contact allergy, infection, or another diagnosis.

Ask whether the rash is still active, when sunscreen or a pigment treatment is appropriate, which ingredients are least likely to irritate you, and how to prevent a flare while the marks fade.