What should you know about PIH after chemical peel?

The chance of pigment change is influenced by the peel's depth and ingredients, your baseline skin tone, sun exposure, previous inflammation, and how the skin heals. Existing acne, comedonal acne, keratosis pilaris, or melasma may also affect why a peel was chosen and how colour changes are interpreted. A clinician should examine unusual, painful, or rapidly changing areas rather than assuming every dark mark is PIH.

Let the skin recover according to the treatment plan: cleanse gently, moisturise, avoid picking or scrubbing, and pause irritating products until advised. Protect the area from sunlight with shade, protective clothing, and a suitable broad-spectrum sunscreen. Do not add another peel, strong acid, or lightening product without guidance. A clinician may discuss a gradual pigment treatment once the skin barrier has settled, sometimes using an appropriate topical product.

Contact the clinic if burning, pain, swelling, crusting, or redness is increasing, or if blisters or discharge appear. Arrange review when darkening continues to spread, becomes patchy in an unexpected pattern, or does not begin to settle after healing. Prompt assessment helps distinguish PIH from an active reaction, infection, or another pigment condition.

Ask whether the colour change fits PIH, when your skin barrier is ready for active products, and which ingredients should be avoided for now. Discuss sun protection, whether the peel strength or preparation should change in future, and how to recognise a reaction that needs treatment.