What Is Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation?
- Revive Laser Studio
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
PIH is excess melanin (pigment) that shows up after your skin has gone through some kind of irritation or injury.
It often appears as:
Flat brown or tan spots
Patchy areas that look like a faded bruise or “shadow”
Marks that match the shape of whatever was there before (like an old breakout)
PIH is not a true scar, and it isn’t usually permanent — but it can take months to fade on its own.
What Causes PIH?
Anything that inflames the skin can trigger PIH. Common causes include:
Acne and breakouts
Picking or squeezing pimples
Eczema or dermatitis
Bug bites
Burns, scratches, or friction
Some laser or cosmetic treatments done too aggressively
When the skin is irritated, your melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) go into “protection mode” and produce more melanin. When the inflammation settles, that extra pigment doesn’t always leave quickly.
Who Is More Prone to PIH?
Anyone can get PIH, but it’s more common and often more stubborn in medium to deeper skin tones. That’s because melanocytes in these skin types are more active, so they react strongly to inflammation.
How Do You Treat PIH?
PIH responds best to a combination of:
The right in-clinic treatments
The right home care
Consistent sun protection
Trying to “blast it away” too aggressively usually makes it worse.
Laser Treatments for Pigmentation
At Revive Laser Studio, we use the Hollywood Spectra Q-Switched laser to safely target unwanted pigment.
Laser can help if:
You’ve had the marks for months or years
Topical products haven’t done much
The pigment sits a bit deeper in the skin
You want more visible results, faster, with proper spacing between sessions
The goal is to gradually fade the pigment without overheating or irritating the skin further. That’s why settings, skin type assessment, and spacing treatments properly actually matter.
Sun Protection: The Part Nobody Wants To Hear, But Everyone Needs
If you’re treating PIH without daily SPF, you’re basically pressing the gas and the brakes at the same time.
Why SPF matters:
UV exposure darkens PIH very easily
Even a good laser or skincare routine will underperform without sun protection
You don’t just need SPF in July at the beach — you need it on regular days, especially on the face and areas that see light daily
A broad-spectrum sunscreen, used daily, is non-negotiable if your goal is to fade pigment.
Don’t Pick, Scratch, or “Help Things Along”
Every time you squeeze, scratch, or “just quickly pop it,” you’re increasing your chances of new PIH.
If something is inflamed:
Treat the inflammation
Don’t attack it
Let the skincare and treatments do their job
PIH vs Sun Spots: What’s the Difference?
PIH and sun spots (also called solar lentigines or age spots) often get confused, but they’re not the same thing.
Here’s a quick comparison:
PIH (Post-Inflammatory Pigmentation) | Sun Spots | |
Main Cause | Inflammation or injury (acne, burns, picking, etc.) | Chronic UV/sun exposure |
Timing | Appears after something happens to the skin | Develops slowly over years |
Common Areas | Anywhere you’ve had irritation | Face, hands, shoulders, arms – sun-exposed areas |
Shape/Look | Irregular, often matches the original irritation | More uniform, round/oval brown spots |
Who Gets It? | All skin tones; more visible in medium–deep tones | More common in lighter skin tones and with age |
Key Strategy | Control inflammation + fade pigment + strict SPF | Treat pigmentation + long-term sun protection |
A simple way to tell:
If the mark showed up after a breakout, bite, rash, or “incident” → it’s likely PIH.
If it crept up slowly over years on sun-exposed skin → it’s more likely a sun spot.
Ready To Tackle Post-Inflammatory Pigmentation?
At Revive Laser Studio, we start with a one-on-one consultation where we:
Assess your skin type and history
Identify whether your spots are PIH, sun damage, melasma, or a mix
Talk through realistic timelines and treatment options
Build a plan that might include laser, skincare, and home care
