Post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation in black skin

Posted on 14 Apr, 2012

When black skin is damaged by injury, inflammation or a skin condition the healing process kicks in in order to repair the tissue. This process can result in an increased production of melanin around the site of the injury, causing localised darkening of the skin.

Unfortunately, this can make the affected area more noticeable and the hyper-pigmented patches will tend to darken rather fade, particularly if the skin is exposed to the sun’s rays. Even minor injuries or damage can cause these patches:

• Acne
• Eczema
• Insect bites
• Shaving rash

The problem often affects exposed areas of skin such as the face, arms and legs which can make it problematic for those who develop them. It is important to protect the skin from sunlight to prevent further darkening.

Depending on the type and extent of the patches, either IPL or microdermabrasion and laser therapy can offer relief by causing the patches to fade. IPL uses heat energy to break down the pigments into fragments small enough to be absorbed; microdermabrasion removes the superficial layers of skin and is then followed by laser therapy which stimulates the production of new skin cells and collagen. Both treatments can significantly improve the appearance of the skin and remove the need for camouflage make-up.