Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation Treatment & Management

Updated: Jun 13, 2023
  • Author: Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD  more...
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Treatment

Surgical Care

Fractional photothermolysis may be used to treat postinflammatory hyperpigmentation after or in conjunction with ablative carbon dioxide laser resurfacing. [29, 30, 31] Paradoxically, successful treatment of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation after 2 sessions of fractional carbon dioxide laser has been described. [32] Laser treatment may be able to address dermal pigment deposition. The 1064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with low-fluence treatment may be considered in the treatment of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation caused by procedures such as laser surgery and chemical peeling in Asian patients. [33] A novel pulse-in-pulse mode intense pulsed light worked well for facial postinflammatory hyperpigmentation for Korean patients, [34] as did a picosecond 755-nm Alexandrite laser for postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. [35]  Latanoprost-induced diffuse facial skin hyperpigmentation may be treated with laser. [36]

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Prevention

Patients with postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) should use sunscreen on a daily basis to prevent any further darkening of lesions.

A wound-dressing biomaterial may be used to prevent postinflammatory hyperpigmentation after suction blister epidermal grafting in stable vitiligo patients [37]

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