eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Diseases of Pigmentation

Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation: Multimedia

Author: Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH, Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
Coauthor(s): Nadia I Kihiczak, MD, Staff Physician, Department of Dermatology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Medical School
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jul 27, 2009

Multimedia

Photo of a 42-year-old African American woman wit...Media file 1: Photo of a 42-year-old African American woman with macules of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation on the left side of her face as a result of acne excoriée.
Photo of a 42-year-old African American woman wit...

Photo of a 42-year-old African American woman with macules of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation on the left side of her face as a result of acne excoriée.

More on Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation

Overview: Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation
Treatment & Medication: Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation
Follow-up: Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation
Multimedia: Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation
References

References

  1. Graber EM, Tanzi EL, Alster TS. Side effects and complications of fractional laser photothermolysis: experience with 961 treatments. Dermatol Surg. Mar 2008;34(3):301-5; discussion 305-7. [Medline].

  2. Harari Z, Sommer I, Knobel B. Multifocal contact dermatitis to nitroderm TTS 5 with extensive postinflammatory hypermelanosis. Dermatologica. 1987;174(5):249-52. [Medline].

  3. Breathnach AS. Melanin hyperpigmentation of skin: melasma, topical treatment with azelaic acid, and other therapies. Cutis. Jan 1996;57(1 Suppl):36-45. [Medline].

  4. Pandya AG, Guevara IL. Disorders of hyperpigmentation. Dermatol Clin. Jan 2000;18(1):91-8, ix. [Medline].

  5. Burns RL, Prevost-Blank PL, Lawry MA, Lawry TB, Faria DT, Fivenson DP. Glycolic acid peels for postinflammatory hyperpigmentation in black patients. A comparative study. Dermatol Surg. Mar 1997;23(3):171-4; discussion 175. [Medline].

  6. Yoshimura K, Harii K, Aoyama T, Shibuya F, Iga T. A new bleaching protocol for hyperpigmented skin lesions with a high concentration of all-trans retinoic acid aqueous gel. Aesthetic Plast Surg. Jul-Aug 1999;23(4):285-91. [Medline].

  7. Yoshimura K, Harii K, Aoyama T, Iga T. Experience with a strong bleaching treatment for skin hyperpigmentation in Orientals. Plast Reconstr Surg. Mar 2000;105(3):1097-108; discussion 1109-10. [Medline].

  8. Del Rosso JQ. The use of topical azelaic acid for common skin disorders other than inflammatory rosacea. Cutis. Feb 2006;77(2 Suppl):22-4. [Medline].

  9. Grimes P, Callender V. Tazarotene cream for postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and acne vulgaris in darker skin: a double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled study. Cutis. Jan 2006;77(1):45-50. [Medline].

  10. Katsambas AD. RALGA (Diacneal), a retinaldehyde and glycolic acid association and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation in acne--a review. Dermatology. 2005;210 Suppl 1:39-45. [Medline].

  11. Kasraee B, Handjani F, Parhizgar A, et al. Topical methimazole as a new treatment for postinflammatory hyperpigmentation: report of the first case. Dermatology. 2005;211(4):360-2. [Medline].

  12. Erbil H, Sezer E, Tastan B, Arca E, Kurumlu Z. Efficacy and safety of serial glycolic acid peels and a topical regimen in the treatment of recalcitrant melasma. J Dermatol. Jan 2007;34(1):25-30. [Medline].

  13. Choi H, Ahn S, Lee BG, Chang I, Hwang JS. Inhibition of skin pigmentation by an extract of Lepidium apetalum and its possible implication in IL-6 mediated signaling. Pigment Cell Res. Dec 2005;18(6):439-46. [Medline].

  14. Rokhsar CK, Fitzpatrick RE. The treatment of melasma with fractional photothermolysis: a pilot study. Dermatol Surg. Dec 2005;31(12):1645-50. [Medline].

  15. Rokhsar CK, Ciocon DH. Fractional photothermolysis for the treatment of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation after carbon dioxide laser resurfacing. Dermatol Surg. Mar 2009;35(3):535-7. [Medline].

  16. [Guideline] Morton CA, McKenna KE, Rhodes LE. Guidelines for topical photodynamic therapy: update. Br J Dermatol. Dec 2008;159(6):1245-66. [Medline].

  17. Perez-Bernal A, Munoz-Perez MA, Camacho F. Management of facial hyperpigmentation. Am J Clin Dermatol. Sep-Oct 2000;1(5):261-8. [Medline].

  18. Winhoven SM, Ahmed I, Owen CM, Lear JT. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation in an Asian patient: a dramatic response to oral isotretinoin (13-cis-retinoic acid). Br J Dermatol. Feb 2005;152(2):368-9. [Medline].

  19. Momosawa A, Kurita M, Ozaki M, et al. Combined therapy using Q-switched ruby laser and bleaching treatment with tretinoin and hydroquinone for periorbital skin hyperpigmentation in Asians. Plast Reconstr Surg. Jan 2008;121(1):282-8. [Medline].

  20. Epstein JH. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. Clin Dermatol. Apr-Jun 1989;7(2):55-65. [Medline].

  21. Lacz NL, Vafaie J, Kihiczak NI, Schwartz RA. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation: a common but troubling condition. Int J Dermatol. May 2004;43(5):362-5. [Medline].

  22. Nordlund JJ. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. Dermatol Clin. Apr 1988;6(2):185-92. [Medline].

  23. Ruiz-Maldonado R, Orozco-Covarrubias ML. Postinflammatory hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation. Semin Cutan Med Surg. Mar 1997;16(1):36-43. [Medline].

  24. Tomita Y, Maeda K, Tagami H. Mechanisms for hyperpigmentation in postinflammatory pigmentation, urticaria pigmentosa and sunburn. Dermatologica. 1989;179 Suppl 1:49-53. [Medline].

Further Reading

Keywords

postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, postinflammatory hypermelanosis, melanotic hyperpigmentation, PIH, dermal melanosis, epidermal melanosis, skin inflammation, hyperpigmentation

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH, Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Nadia I Kihiczak, MD, Staff Physician, Department of Dermatology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Medical School
Nadia I Kihiczak, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Günter Burg, MD, Professor and Chairman Emeritus, Department of Dermatology, University of Zürich School of Medicine; Delegate of The Foundation for Modern Teaching and Learning in Medicine Faculty of Medicine, University of Zürich, Switzerland
Günter Burg, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Dermatological Association, International Society for Dermatologic Surgery, North American Clinical Dermatologic Society, and Pacific Dermatologic Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

David F Butler, MD, Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Chair, Department of Dermatology, Director, Dermatology Residency Training Program, Scott and White Clinic, Northside Clinic
David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for MOHS Surgery, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Phi Beta Kappa
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Jeffrey P Callen, MD, Professor of Medicine, Chief, Division of Dermatology, University of Louisville School of Medicine
Jeffrey P Callen, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and American College of Rheumatology
Disclosure: Amgen Honoraria Consulting; Abbott Honoraria Consulting; Electrical Optical Sciences Honoraria Consulting; Centocor Honoraria Consulting; Genetech Honoraria Consulting; Celgene Honoraria Consulting

CME Editor

Catherine Quirk, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Brown University
Catherine Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD, Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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