Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
Dark marks left behind after acne, injury, or inflammation heals -- often fading on their own, but treatable if persistent.
Book a Pigmentation EvaluationDark marks left after a breakout or minor injury healed?
This is a very common, generally self-resolving pattern -- an evaluation confirms this and discusses whether treatment would help it fade faster.
Marks that haven't faded after several months?
Persistent post-inflammatory pigmentation can benefit from targeted treatment to speed improvement.
What Is It?
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation refers to dark marks that develop at the site of a healed pimple, injury, or other skin inflammation, as the skin produces extra pigment in response to the healing process. It’s especially common and visible in darker skin types, and while it often fades on its own over several months, treatment can meaningfully speed this process along for marks that are slow to resolve.
The most effective preventive step is treating active acne or skin inflammation promptly, since the marks develop as a direct response to inflammation — reducing how much inflammation occurs in the first place reduces how much post-inflammatory pigmentation follows.
Risk Factors
- Recent acne, especially picked or squeezed lesions
- Recent skin injury, insect bite, or other inflammation
- Darker skin types, which are more prone to visible post-inflammatory pigmentation
Symptoms
- Flat, darkened patches at the site of a healed pimple or injury
- Gradual fading over weeks to months in most cases
- No raised or textured component, distinguishing it from a scar
Treatment
- Topical Depigmenting Therapy: Can speed the fading process for marks that are slow to resolve on their own.
- Chemical Peels: Used as an adjunct to topical therapy for more stubborn or extensive pigmentation.
Learn more about Pigmentation Treatment in Chennai | KK Nagar →
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