Correction of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: combined techniques

Hyperpigmentation (hypermelanosis, melanoderma) is an excess deposition of pigment in the skin in separate areas. The most common types of hyperpigmentation are lentigo, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Acquired dyschromia

Post-inflammatory dyschromias (hypo- or hyperpigmentation) are acquired pigmentation disorders that arise as a result of the tendency of melanocytes to excess or insufficient synthesis of pigment. If we talk about post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation, PIH), we will always have a previous inflammatory process. These can be infections, allergic reactions, mechanical injuries (for example, burns, trauma to the skin by the patient himself, etc.), reaction to drugs, inflammatory diseases (acne, psoriasis, lichen planus, systemic lupus erythematosus, atopic dermatitis).  Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can also be observed after treatment with electromagnetic devices such as ultrasound, radio waves, laser, light-reflecting diodes, visible light, etc. The condition of the skin can deteriorate due to exposure to ultraviolet light and various chemical compounds and drugs (tetracyclines, cytostatics, antimalarials, silver, hormones, etc.).

The distribution of hypermelanotic lesions depends on the localization of the primary inflammatory dermatosis. They range in color from light brown to black, with a lighter brown appearance if the pigment is located within the epidermis (ie, epidermal melanosis) and a dark gray to bluish appearance if the lesions contain dermal melanin (ie, cutaneous melanosis).

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