Post inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
What is PIH?
Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation is a major and disfiguring problem for patients with skin phototypes IV, V, and VI. These patients usually have darker skin types and the inflammation changes put even darker spots on their skin. This disfiguring pigmentation can develop with any chronic inflammatory condition such as acne psoriasis, lichen planus, atopic dermatitis, or contact dermatitis or it can simply develop after any type of trauma to the skin, like peel, laser or surgery.
CLASSIFICATION OF FITZPATRICK’S SKIN PHOTOTYPES
How does one get PIH?
Inflammation stimulates development of new pigment cells, which over produce the pigment material, melanin, leading to skin darkening at the site of inflammation. This hyperpigmentation can be located in the superficial (epidermal layer) or deep (dermal layer) of the skin.
How long does PIH last?
PIH is usually a self -limited disease and improves with time. What poses a great deal of concern to individuals who have it, is that it may last weeks to months or rarely, even years. If this kind of discoloration happens on your face and you daily look at it, who has the time or willing to wait a year for it to go away!.
CLASSIFICATION OF FITZPATRICK’S SKIN PHOTOTYPES
What are available treatments for PIH?
Treatment options vary depending on the patience level of the client.
The simplest treatment is TIME. Do nothing and simply wait.
For people who are a little impatient and want to expedite the process, their options include topical agents, prescription strength hydroquinone, antioxidants, retinoids, topical corticosteroids, azelaic acid, bleaching agents and chemical peels. etc..
For people that can’t wait at all and are very much bothered by their skin discolorations, their options are lasers such as Nd:YAG , Pulsed dyed lasers, and Q switch lasers. They are specifically designed to treat dark pigmentation
How can Dr. Avaliani offer?
During your expert consultation, Dr. Avaliani will perform careful and thorough skin evaluation, determine the depth of skin discoloration and offer potential treatments based on your preferences. It is all about individualized approach. Sometimes a combination of treatments may be suggested depending on the severity of the discoloration.
Chemical peels
Nd:YAG laser
Topical therapy