Marks remaining after acne
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
Related terms · Brown acne marks · PIH · Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation refers to flat brown or grayish-brown marks that remain due to increased melanin after acne or irritation has subsided.
Overview
Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation: Check these three things first
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation refers to flat marks that remain brown or grayish-brown due to increased melanin after acne or irritation has subsided.
- red Post-inflammatory erythemaIt differs in color from red marks and is distinct from atrophic scars where the skin surface is indented.
- Check if the marks are flat and record whether they darken after sun exposure or friction, or if new inflammation occurs in the same spot.
Meaning and Distinction
What is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation?
It is a mark that appears when pigment increases following skin inflammation, and it can be more prominent depending on skin tone and sun exposure. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation refers to flat marks that remain brown or grayish-brown due to increased melanin after acne or irritation has subsided.
- Easily confused terms
- It differs in color from red post-inflammatory erythema and is distinct from atrophic scars where the skin surface is indented.
- Why this is checked during medical evaluation
- It is important to distinguish these marks so that you do not mistake pigment marks for new inflammation and continue applying irritating products.
- Information to prepare for your visit
- Check if the marks are flat and record whether they darken after sun exposure or friction, or if new inflammation occurs in the same spot.
More details
Connecting post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation to your symptoms
Brown marks are traces of increased pigment following inflammation
If you squeeze acne or if sun exposure and irritation overlap, brown marksthese marks may become darker and last longer. Try to distinguish between new acne and existing marks by comparing them under the same lighting at one-month intervals.
Darker color does not always mean the scar has deepened
If the surface is flat, it is likely hyperpigmentation, but if indentations and irregularities are also visible, the sequence of scar treatment changes. Color and surface level must be examined separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions when looking into post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Is a diagnosis determined by the term 'post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation' alone?
It differs in color from red post-inflammatory erythema and is distinct from atrophic scars where the skin surface is indented.
What should I note down before my appointment regarding post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation?
Distinguish the marks so that you do not mistake pigment marks for new inflammation and continue applying irritating products. Check if they are flat and record whether they darken after sun exposure or friction, or if new inflammation occurs in the same spot.
Acne Glossary
Compare similar terms here
You can check simple definitions before proceeding to detailed explanations.Read More
Check guides where this term is used
- Condition GuidePost-acne hyperpigmentationPost-acne hyperpigmentation is a change where flat brown or grayish-brown spots remain due to increased melanin where inflammation once was. It differs from structural scars in that the skin surface is not indented or raised, and it is distinct from post-inflammatory erythema, which is primarily pink or red. These marks can become darker and last longer if UV exposure, friction, extraction, and new inflammation recur.→
- Condition GuideAcne scarsAcne scar symptoms are divided into atrophic scars, where the skin is indented, and hypertrophic or keloid scars, which are firmly raised. Indented scars may be a mix of ice-pick (narrow and deep), boxcar (relatively distinct borders), and rolling (wide and wavy) types. Conversely, flat red or brown changes remaining after acne may be post-inflammatory erythema or hyperpigmentation and should be distinguished from scars where the skin structure has changed. If new acne continues to appear, or if there is pus, heat, rapid swelling, acne that looks like a scar grows rapidly, or bleeding and ulcers occur, a dermatology evaluation should come first.→
- Medical Evaluation GuideIf acne reappears after improving during treatmentIf inflammation decreased during treatment but returned after stopping, it does not mean the previous treatment was a complete failure. Try to note what decreased and by how much, and which types of acne returned and how many weeks after pausing treatment. It is easier to determine the priority for the next treatment if you also examine whether maintenance therapy was needed, if the treatment was not used sufficiently due to irritation, or if the recurrence coincided with changes in menstruation, sleep, or digestion.→
- Medical Evaluation GuideWhat is the difference between red acne marks and brown pigmentation?→
Evidence and Update Information
The following materials were referenced to verify the basis and scope of the definitions and treatment descriptions.