You did everything right. You did not pick. You treated the breakout. And then it cleared, and the dark spot showed up and has been sitting on your skin for three months. What you are looking at is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and it is one of the most common concerns we treat at Rosalind Michelle Skin Co.
What PIH Actually Is
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or PIH, is a darkening of the skin that occurs after any kind of inflammation, including breakouts, ingrown hairs, and irritation. When melanated skin experiences inflammation, it produces excess melanin in that area as part of the healing response. The result is a spot that can be significantly darker than the surrounding skin and can take months to fade without intervention.
Why It Affects Melanated Skin More Significantly
Skin with more melanin has more pigment-producing cells, which means the hyperpigmentation response is stronger and the spots are darker and longer-lasting. This means that the treatment approach needs to account for this from the start, which is why generic routines and drugstore acne products often make the problem worse.
Ingredients That Help and Ingredients That Hurt
Ingredients that address PIH include niacinamide, kojic acid,Tranexamic Acid, and tyrosinase inhibitors like those found in Simply Brilliant by Cosmedix. Ingredients to avoid or use carefully include high-concentration retinoids introduced too quickly, over-exfoliation, and anything that creates additional inflammation. The goal is to calm and correct, not to strip and irritate.
How RMSC Treats PIH In-Office
In-office treatments for PIH at RMSC include brightening peels, microneedling with appropriate serums, and Aerolase laser treatments that target melanin in the dermis without damaging the surface. The right combination depends on your skin and your specific concerns, which is why a consultation is always the starting point.
Dark spots from acne are treatable. The right approach, consistently applied, produces visible results. Book a consultation and let us build a plan for your skin.
Book your Consultation Now or Call at 404-476-1036.