Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is a particular form of hyperpigmentation. Better understanding the circumstances under which post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation develops will help you treat it more effectively.
Summary
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is one of the main causes of hyperpigmentation. It occurs because of a skin injury or inflammation. The conditions under which post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation occurs vary greatly: acne, eczema, psoriasis, a skin wound, burn, chemical peel, laser treatment, etc.
When the skin is damaged or injured, the healing and skin repair mechanisms cause a hyperproduction of melanin, resulting in brown spots. It’s as if the inflammation leaves a scar in the form of a pigmentation spot.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation tends to fade over time, but some marks may be more stubborn than others.
Anyone can be affected by post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, both men and women, and at any age.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is more likely to occur on matte or dark skin.
Sun exposure will aggravate the symptoms of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
There are some measures you can take to avoid post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and the onset of brown spots in the form of scars, most of which are common sense: properly treat acne, eczema or psoriasis; quickly treat a skin wound or burn; apply diligently the cream prescribed by your dermatologist after a chemical peel or laser treatment; avoid fiddling with lesions, scratching; etc.
Protect wounds from the sun by applying a suitable sun cream for the skin type.
Also remember to protect scars from the sun, to prevent hyperpigmented scars from forming.
If, despite all this, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation spots still appear, dermatological treatment is generally necessary, for example a laser treatment or chemical peel, in addition to depigmenting treatments.
