What should you know about post injury hyperpigmentation?

Inflammation from a scrape, cut, burn, bite, picking, or procedure can signal pigment-producing cells to release more melanin. The healed area may then look brown, grey-brown, or darker than the surrounding skin. The change is often flat, but a wound can also heal with a raised or indented scar. Ongoing redness, warmth, discharge, or tenderness suggests the injury may not be fully settled.

Do not remove a scab, scratch the site, or apply acids and bleaching products to broken skin. Once the surface has healed, moisturise and use sun protection because ultraviolet exposure can deepen the contrast. A clinician may discuss hydroquinone treatment for selected areas, or procedures such as a chemical peel, IPL photofacial, skin brightening treatment, or picosecond laser treatment. These options require an assessment of skin tone, scar texture, and whether inflammation has ended.

Seek prompt medical attention for increasing pain, warmth, swelling, pus, fever, spreading redness, or a wound that will not close. Arrange a dermatology review if the healed patch grows, changes shape, becomes raised, or repeatedly bleeds. Product-related burning or blistering also warrants stopping the product and getting advice.

Ask whether the wound is fully healed, whether pigment or scarring is present, when treatment can start, and which option is least likely to irritate your skin.