Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is characterised by flat, tan, brown or black spots on the skin. This condition can occur on any area of the body, including in the mouth, the genital areas and on the nails.
When your skin cells react to damage or irritation by making extra melanin, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is the result. This skin condition shows up as tan, brown, dark brown, or even blue-gray patches and spots on your skin. Some medical or cosmetic procedures can also cause PIH.
In general, PIH can take months or even years to fade depending on how deep it is, especially if left untreated. More severe and deep pigmentation, particularly on darker skin tones is most stubborn and may take years, to fade without proper treatment.
Patients should be encouraged to avoid picking or irritating affected areas, as trauma can exacerbate postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. Sunscreen is essential, as ultraviolet exposure can worsen pigmentation and prolong healing; daily broad-spectrum sunscreen use should be a foundational part of treatment.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
Alpha hydroxy acids , especially glycolic acid , are a good starting point for treatment. 6 Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) help speed up the skin's natural exfoliation process, which can help improve the look of PIH. You can find these ingredients in many OTC "brightening" treatments.
This can mean stopping any medicine that's causing the problem or treating diabetes and other health conditions. Losing weight will help acanthosis nigricans fade. If you're concerned about your weight, talk to your doctor before going on a diet. Doctors may prescribe creams or lotions that can help lighten the skin.
Products containing low concentrations of the active ingredient azelaic acid are available over the counter. But for treating P.I.H., stronger, prescription-only formulas are recommended, like Skinoren 20% cream and Finacea 15% gel.
Exfoliating regularly can help remove dead skin cells and promote cell regeneration, which can improve the appearance of PIH. Always opt for gentle exfoliants that do not irritate the skin to avoid exacerbating skin inflammation and pigmentation.
There's also evidence that it may help manage dry skin, acne, and age spots, among other conditions. ACV is generally safe to use, but it does come with a risk of irritation or worsening skin symptoms, especially for people with sensitive skin or skin conditions.
Depending on the cause of your hyperpigmentation, some medications can be prescribed by your dermatologist. Intense-pulsed light treatment is used for treating melasma using a broad spectrum of light to generate heat to target and remove pigment.
Hyperpigmentation appears as darkened patches or spots on the skin that make skin look uneven. The spots are known as age spots or sun spots and hyperpigmentation is also at the heart of skin conditions such as melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Does Drinking Water Help Pigmentation? Research notes that increasing how much water you drink everyday can positively impact the skin's overall health and appearance. 5 This suggests, that in some cases, staying hydrated may help with some types of skin pigmentation.
The main sign of acanthosis nigricans is dark, thick, velvety skin in body folds and creases. It often appears in the armpits, groin and back of the neck. It develops slowly. The affected skin might be itchy, have an odor and develop skin tags.
The deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause specific skin manifestations, such as hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, angular stomatitis, and hair and nail changes [1].
As sun exposure worsens hyperpigmentation it is important to protect the skin with sunscreen on a daily basis. Treatment often begins with a skin care regimen composed of a daily sunscreen, moisturizers, and skin care brighteners.
Severe inflammation or trauma can disrupt the bottom layer of the epidermis (first layer of the skin) causing the pigment to leak into and become trapped in the dermis (second layer of the skin). This results in a deeper and more treatment resistant pigmentation.
For those looking to reduce pigmentation on the face, our vitamin C serum is expertly formulated to help visibly reduce hyperpigmentation. Our CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum for Anti-Ageing is enriched with 10% pure vitamin C to visibly brighten and even out your skin tone.
Vitamin C is great for all skin types, especially people who experience hyperpigmentation. Because it is unstable, it is typically paired with vitamin E when creating topical skincare formulations. This combination of vitamin C and vitamin E limits chronic UV damage.