Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

Written by STHLM !DERMI5T8xc
On post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH):

>someone asked for advice on how to treat post-acne

By "post-acne", I'm assuming that you're referring to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH, dark spots), post-inflammatory erythema (PIE, red spots), and various forms of scars in the places where you had acne.

I would first of all advice you to use a sunscreen (+30 SPF) on your entire face in order to prevent UVA/UVB damage to these rather sensitive spots to prevent further deterioration.

Mild hyperpigmentation will generally fade with time. Depending on the extent and depth of it, you may want to treat it as well to get rid of it. I would just advise you to go with some standard OTC hydroquinone treatment. It bleaches your skin.

There are many other options to this, mainly different kinds of alpha/beta-hydroxy acids and topical retinoids. Deeper/more sever hyperpigmentation is treated with chemical peels as well as lasers.

Post-inflammatory erythema, as caused by acne, will generally clear (can take up to a year), but can be treated as well. Laser treatment is very effective for this. Some PIH treatments described above can be used for PIE (as well as scars).

Murad Post-Acne Spot Lightening Gel could be a good OTC option.