What happens if post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is not treated?

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is extra pigment left after inflammation or injury settles. It may follow acne, a rash, a burn, a procedure or Insect Bites. The mark is usually flat rather than raised, but its colour can vary with skin tone and with how deeply pigment sits in the skin.

A new mark can be difficult to distinguish from another cause of Dark Patches On Skin. Ongoing acne, picking or irritation can create additional marks, while sunlight can make existing colour more noticeable. Uneven Skin Tone can have several causes, so diagnosis matters before using a lightening product.

Treat the inflammation that caused the mark, avoid picking, and use daily broad-spectrum sun protection with shade and protective clothing. Introduce skincare gently and stop products that sting or cause redness. Improvement is gradual because the skin must clear pigment as it renews.

A clinician may discuss Hydroquinone Treatment or procedures such as Chemical Peel, Skin Brightening Treatment or Picosecond Laser Treatment. These options are not interchangeable; skin tone, pigment depth, active inflammation and the risk of further irritation all affect the plan.

Arrange a review if a patch is spreading, changing in shape, raised, itchy, painful, bleeding or unrelated to a clear episode of inflammation. Seek advice before treatment when pigmentation appears suddenly or when several new marks develop. Treating active inflammation first can reduce the chance of creating more pigment.

Does this look like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation? What triggered it and is that trigger still active? Which sunscreen and products suit my skin? Would a topical treatment or procedure be safer for my skin tone? How can I recognise irritation that could worsen the marks?