What Causes Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)?
What Causes Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)?Are pimples leaving red, brown, or purple spots on your skin, even after they have healed? These spots, called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), are annoying but common. Why do they develop?Answer: Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) begins its development when an injury causes skin inflammation. The injury could be a cut, scrape, rash, burn, or even a pimple. This inflammation can trigger the skin to produce too much melanin. (Melanin is the protein in the skin that gives the skin its color.) Now the excess melanin darkens and discolors the wounded area. And even after the wound has healed, the discoloration can remain. PIH is more common in those with darker skin tones. PIH often occurs after an inflamed acne lesio
