Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH): Causes, Treatments, and Skin Care Tips

How To Treat Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation PIH Skin?

What is Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)?

Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) of the skin is an increased amount of melanin pigment in the skin (as compared to your normal skin color) that occurs after skin inflammation. It is sometimes called Post Inflammatory Pigment Alteration or PIPA or dermal hypermelanosis. The definition of hyperpigmentation is when you have skin that is darker than your normal skin color. Linea Nigra is a dark vertical line of discoloration from the belly button to the pubic area Hyperpigmentation is more common in darker skin tones such as Fitzpatrick Skin Types 4,5 and 6.

Hyperpigmentation results in an uneven skin tone. There are 8 Baumann Skin Types that have an uneven skin tone and need skin lightening ingredients.

Is Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation Permanent?

Does post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation go away? Yes! Although it is not easy to get rid of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation- it is not permanent. It will eventually fade naturally. Work with your doctor or medical provider to see if post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation treatments like chemical peels are right for you. Combining treatments, a custom skin care routine for your skin type and sun avoidance, your skin will improve.

Don’t lose confidence if it doesn’t clear up after just a few days! Most significant skin care regimens take a few weeks to impart their full effect, so stay consistent!

How long does post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation last?

How long it takes the discoloration to fade depends upon many factors. Fade time is significantly less if you limit sun exposure and use sunscreen diligently. Assuming you have eliminated the cause of inflammation and are using anti-inflammatory ingredients in your skin care routine, and avoiding sun exposure, the uneven skin pigment will most likely last at least 40 days for the skin to clear. This is because of the time it takes for the pigmented skin cells to exfoliate off of the skin and be replaced with skin cells of normal pigment. How to fade hyperpigmentation fast? Follow our dermatologist recommended skin care regimen advice found at this link.

The Best Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation Treatment?

Because PIH is very similar to melasma- follow our advice on melasma for the best skin care routine to treat post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The skin care routine can be combined with chemical peels but make sure you find an experienced medical provider. If they burn you or use the wrong type of chemical peel, this could make the pigmentation worse.

If you have dry, sensitive skin, you are more likely to be suggested a glycolic acid peel than a salicylic acid peel. Glycolic acid leaves oils on the skin while salicylic acid removes oil.

Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation creams

It is important to identify any underlying barriers to skin health and causes of inflammation that may be worsening your skin hyperpigmentation problems. For example, If your PIH is caused by acne, the dark spots from pimples will not get better until your acne is treated. Knowing your Baumann Skin Type® will allow us to customize a skincare routine to treat your hyperpigmentation and any underlying causes.

The best skin lightening products will contain anti-inflammatory and skin lightening ingredients.

Keep in mind that there are different types of skin lightening ingredients like tyrosinase inhibitors, which block the triggers to start melanin production, and even exfoliants that mechanically remove dark spots from the surface of the skin.

The best skin lightening products use a combination of many types of skin lighteners to achieve a more profound effect.

Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation cleansers to clear dark areas of the skin.

There are so many different hyperpigmentation cleansers, so you need to know your Baumann Skin Type to choose the best. Follow the same face wash recommendations that we give for melasma because the issue is the same- too much pigment in the skin.

All cleansers are a little different, so keep in mind when you pick a cleanser for your sensitive skin that you do not choose one that is too low of a pH. products that are too acidic have a chance of irritating sensitive skin.

Look for cleansers rich in soothing linoleic fatty acids for your PIH regimen.

Vitamins, Supplements and Diet to Treat PIH

Treating hyperpigmentation from the inside naturally requires stress reduction, adequate sleep and a well balanced diet because the stress hormone cortisol makes skin pigmentation worse. You can also try antioxidants or these vitamins and supplements to treat PIH from the inside.

Heliocare Supplement Capsule contains polypodium leucotomos, an antioxidant help protect the skin from inflammation due to sun exposure. If you cannot avoid the sun, this skin protective supplement is highly suggested.[[FL-0480-10″>

What Are The Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation Causes?

Skin color is caused by many factors, but the amount of a type of melanin known as eumelanin causes most cases of skin hyperpigmentation. A suntan is a form of hyperpigmentation. There are many skin conditions that cause an increase in skin pigmentation. These are common causes of hyperpigmentation and their characteristics:

Causes and other names for PIH

Acne

Melasma (also known as mask of pregnancy)

Skin discoloration on the face

Hyperpigmentation on the cheeks

Hyperpigmentation on the upper lip

Common in pregnancy

Seen with estrogen, hormone replacement therapy and oral contraceptives

Hyperpigmentation in pregnancy

Hormone changes in pregnancy cause skin darkening

Inflammation activates melanocyte cells, causing hyperpigmentation

Common in eczema, psoriasis, hypersensitive skin, allergic reactions, sensitive skin

Phytophotodermatitis

Skin darkening after sun exposure in areas that have been in contact with a photosensitizer that makes skin more reactive to the sun

Causes by celery, limes and figs

Dark spots on skin after drinking margaritas, tequila shots or beer with lime on the beach

Dark spots on the skin after drinking Bloody Mary drinks with celery in the sun

Sun spots

Also called solar lentigos

Click here for what causes sunspots

Click here for how to treat hyperpigmentation caused by the sun

Acanthosis Nigricans

Thick velvet appearing dark patches in skin folds

Dark patch on neck

Dark patches under the arms

Can be associated with diabetes

Ochronosis

Black patches on the face

Caused by an enzyme deficiency or overuse of hydroquinone

Addison’s disease

Caused by an increase in adrenocorticotropic hormone

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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