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Skin ConditionsP

PIH (Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation)

Definition

Dark spots left behind after a pimple, rash, or skin injury heals — caused by excess melanin produced during the body's inflammation response. Not the same as a scar.

PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) is the flat brown, purple, or gray mark left after the skin heals from inflammation — acne being the most common cause. It's a pigment problem, not a texture problem: the skin's surface is smooth, but melanocytes (the cells that make pigment) overproduce melanin during healing.

PIH vs. Acne Scars

True acne scars are textural — indentations or raised areas where tissue was damaged. PIH is flat discoloration. The good news: PIH will fade over months on its own; treatments like chemical peels, microneedling, and PiQo4 toning can dramatically accelerate that timeline.

⚠️ ImportantPicking at active breakouts is the #1 cause of severe PIH. Hands off, SPF on.

Related Terms

Hyperpigmentation

A condition where patches of skin become darker than surrounding areas due to excess melanin production. Caused by sun exposure, hormones, or inflammation.

Melanin

The natural pigment produced by melanocytes that determines skin, hair, and eye color. Also the target for laser hair removal and pigmentation treatments.

Acne Scars

Permanent textural changes in the skin resulting from inflammatory acne. Types include rolling, boxcar, ice pick, and hypertrophic scars.

Melasma

A common skin condition that causes brown or gray-brown patches on the face, typically triggered by hormones (pregnancy, birth control) and worsened by sun exposure.

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Next TermPiQo4 Laser