Hyperpigmentation And Acne Scars – How are they related?

Hyperpigmentation leads to deeper and darker acne scars on the body and can be quite an eye sore. The worst part is, if you suffer from hyperpigmentation in general, there is a high chance that you may have acne spots and scarring in different places on your body viz., chest, neck, lower back, inner thighs, underarms and the pubic region. A condition known as Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation is probably what you might be suffering from, if you find that once your acne has receded, you have to deal with really stubborn, dark ugly scars on your own. But fret not. Here are a few ideas that could help you deal with and reduce the re-appearance of these nuisances.

What is PIH?

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is the natural discoloration of the skin once you have had an acne breakout. PIH marks can range from dark browns, to light pinks and even black, depending on your natural skin tone and color. The depth in color will vary due to the presence of ‘melanin’. If your skin produces too much melanin, there is a high chance that your PIH is going to turn out a lot darker than a lot of other people who suffer from the same problem. It would be best to watch out for these signs and go and get it consulted by a doctor.

Treatments

The treatments will vary, depending on the stubbornness of the PIH. It can take 24 hours to even 3 years for PIH marks to fade. Over-the-counter treatments that are rich in alpha and beta hydroxy acids are the ideal solution for these programs. A lot of creams that contain glycolic acid, Vitamin A or E are also good options to exfoliate the skin and induce the growth of new skin. Be vary of extremely harsh skin creams though. A lot of these skin-whitening creams, come with a lot of harsh chemicals. This will only darken your skin and could make it resistant to PIH medication. If you must, try using homemade treatments such as turmeric packs, aloe vera gel and even honey to lighten these scars!