How do Dermatologists FIX Pigmentation? (PIH)

Acne Scars Hyperpigmentation
Skin darkening can be due to many causes including melasma, sun damage & acne. Hyperpigmentation refers to a condition in which patches of skin become darker in color than the normal surrounding skin. Lasers, peels & good quality skin care, including sun protection, can prevent & treat post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

FactsFacts on Acne Scars Hyperpigmentation
Ethnic skin types are more prone to hyperpigmentationThe most common cause of hyperpigmentation is chronic acnePigmentation is frequently seen secondary to peels, lasers & waxingLasers & chemical peels can also improve pigmentationPrecise skin care including regular use of sunscreen forms the foundation of treatmentThe pigment can last up to five years
What causes Acne Scars Hyperpigmentation?
Skin conditions that irritate & inflame your skin can cause hyperpigmentation. Inflammation stimulates the pigment producing cells, known as melanocytes. This causes production of melanin which accounts for the dark colour of skin, known as post inflammatory hyperpigmentation or PIH for short.

How long will it take pigmentation to go away?
This depends on many factors including your ethnicity, sun exposure & degree of inflammation. For lighter skin individuals, brown pigmentation usually takes 3 months to fade. For ethnic skin, pigmentation can last up to five years. PIH acne scarring is mostly due to mild to moderate acne & not due to cystic acne.

PIH-ACNE
PIH can be effectively treated with PICO lasers. Only 2-3 sessions required.
What are the best treatments for pigmentation?
Treating pigmentation involves, prevention, protection & correction.

Prevention: essential step as this breaks the cycle. This applies to all cases of pigmentation including acne.

Protection: involves sunscreen selection & proper use.

Correction: involves the application of a lasers &/or a peel program coupled with precision skin care. For brown hyperpigmentation my go to lasers are nano over pico. Why? Nano lasers are far safer than pico lasers, additionally they provide a cost effective solution for the patient. Laser work by decreasing melanin (pigment) production in addition to removing excess pigmentation in the dermal layers. Chemical peels work by chemically exfoliating excess colour in the epidermis, or top layer of skin.

Precise, effective skin care forms the cornerstone of hyperpigmentation treatments. I formulate a program consisting of a combination of retinol, retinoic acid, pigment correctors, botanicals & skin acids, depending on the type of pigmentation & patient factors including skin sensitivities.