If you have recently had a breakout or suffer from chronic acne, you may notice that there are red or brown spots left behind when the acne clears. These spots of discoloration make acne look worse than it actually is, adding to the low self-esteem and frustration that often accompany acne. Fortunately, these post acne spots are a temporary and treatable problem.
Formation
A post acne spot, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), occurs as a result of the skin's inflammatory process. The skin inflammation that results from a pimple causes the skin to produce too much melanin, which remains even after the pimple has cleared. People with darker skin are at a higher risk for PIH, but anyone can develop it.
Identification
PIH spots range in color from pink or red in people with lighter skin to brown or black in people with darker skin. They may appear along with raised or depressed scars, but PIH spots alone are simply flat areas of discoloration in the skin. Unlike acne scars, PIH spots are not permanent, so their color fades slowly over time.
Significance
Even though discoloration caused by PIH isn't permanent, it is still a distressing condition. The skin discoloration may be mistaken for acne itself, or magnify the appearance of acne, making it look more severe than it actually is. Also, according to Acne.org, "Often, people with hyperpigmentation describe this issue as more concerning than the acne itself."
Time Frame
PIH often lasts much longer than the actual breakout that caused it. While some spots may fade in just a few days, some may take months or even over a year to fade. Treatments are available to reduce discoloration more quickly, but skin color will return to normal even without treatment. Excessive sun exposure and continued breakouts may worsen the appearance of PIH and increase the time it takes for it to fade.
Prevention
Prevention is the best treatment for PIH. The only way to effectively prevent skin discoloration is to take precautions to avoid future acne breakouts. Washing twice daily with a cleanser formulated for acne-prone skin and applying benzoyl peroxide cream may be all that is necessary for mild to moderate acne. For more severe cases, a dermatologist can create a comprehensive treatment program to treat and prevent continued breakouts. This not only helps prevent additional skin discoloration, but permanent scars as well.
Treatment
Skin lighteners and bleaching creams are often used to treat existing discoloration caused by PIH. For brown or tan spots, a cream containing hydroquinone may be effective. Additionally, over-the-counter scar creams or gels may be effective at reducing the appearance of red or brown discoloration. For spots that don't respond to topical treatment, a dermatologist may employ microdermabrasion or light chemical peels. Laser resurfacing, while rarely used to treat PIH by itself, may be used if skin discoloration persists or if permanent scarring exists as well.
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