What to expect from picosecond laser treatment for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is excess colour that remains after acne, irritation, injury, or another inflammatory skin event. A picosecond laser delivers very short pulses of energy to target pigment particles. The clinician chooses the wavelength and energy with your skin tone, the mark's depth, and the original cause in mind.

The treated area can feel warm, prickly, or like brief snapping during the procedure. Redness, swelling, sensitivity, or temporary darkening may follow. Pigment usually changes gradually as the skin settles; a single visit may not give the desired result, and treating active inflammation first can matter.

Before treatment, tell the clinician about recent tanning, a tendency to form raised scars, cold sores, medicines, and products that irritate your skin. Arrive with clean skin and follow instructions about pausing selected creams or procedures.

Afterward, use the recommended gentle cleanser, moisturiser, and sun protection. Do not pick flakes or crusts, scrub the area, or add strong active products until the skin has recovered. Take photographs in similar lighting so you can judge gradual change rather than day-to-day colour variation.

Contact the clinic promptly if pain, swelling, blistering, weeping, or warmth is worsening instead of settling, or if redness spreads beyond the treated area. Also report new pale patches, marked colour change, or signs of infection such as increasing tenderness and discharge.

Ask which pigment is being targeted, whether the original inflammation is controlled, what recovery should look like for your skin tone, and which products to pause or restart. Clarify how progress will be assessed and what to do if the mark becomes darker.