Inflammatory hyperpigmentation

If you get redness from acne that turn brown after the active acne goes away, you have Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation, which refers to skin darkening caused by trauma to the skin such as constant friction, shaving, insect bites as well as wounds. Scarring easily from acne, insect bites, skin inflammations and wounds, the redness and brown darkened areas leftover are ugly and tough to treat, even with aggressive exfoliation. In most cases, aggressive exfoliation without proper before and after care will worsen the darkening of scars!

This is common for people with colored skin tones, which is referred to us the fitzpatrick skin type III and greater. The risk of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation is greater than those with fairer skins. Skin darkening caused by trauma is usually pretty resistant to skin lightening. This is due to active pigment cells dropping down from the epidermis into the dermis making the discoloration very difficult to get rid of. Sometimes, it's also because of abnormally tough collagen in the scar tissue formation process, combined with the pigment cells it just makes the scar matrix even harder to treat.

People with dark and colored skin tones should always treat their skins gently, use proper sun care, and avoid very aggressive skin treatments. If they choose to go for aggressive skin peels or dermabrasion, it is suggested that they begin using a skin lightening cream (with non irritating ingredients) several weeks before and after the treatment to avoid further hyperpigmentation. Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation or PIH usually responds well to a more synergistic approach than just one treatment. Combination treatment regimens for treating post inflammatory hyperpigmentation are detailed in my skin lightening reports.