What is Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is a general term that describes different types of skin discoloration. This happens when the cells that give your skin its color are triggered to start overproducing pigment, causing skin darkening in patches.
Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation is basically the skin darkening after healing, typically from an acne breakout. Essentially the skin is overreacting to inflammation...or being extra, as I like to say. And it's typically seen in darker skin tones.
So how do you treat it?
That's where it gets tricky. First and foremost it takes time so you need a lot of patience. But before you can successfully treat hyperpigmention you have to control the cause. As an esthetician that treats acne, I can say you need to first clear and get your acne under control. Next you need to wear sunscreen, because sun exposure can cause the skin to produce more pigment.
Choosing the right skincare is going to be essential in getting you results. You should be looking for products that are rich in antioxidants to help protect your skin as well as tyrosinase inhibitors which are chemicals that inhibit the production of melanin.
Ingredients such as: Azaleic Acid, Kojic Acid, Tranexamic Acid, and Mandelic Acid,
Regular facial treatments with a focus on exfoliation and repair is a must. Once the skin is properly prepped, I highly recommend a chemical peel. Chemical peels are amazing as they work to reduce surface discoloration by brightening, toning and improving the overall look of your skin.
As with anything consistency is key. Regular facials and following your homecare is soooo important. And remember skin that you are happy with doesn't happen overnight!