Post-Inflammatory Hyper-Pigmentation (PIH): What Is It?
Post-Inflammatory Hyper-pigmentation (PIH) is the proper name used to describe an increase of pigment to a specific area of the skin following an injury to the skin or inflammation. It is the skin’s natural response to inflammation. PIH usually looks like a flat area of discolouration on the skin. It is not pitted or raised and can range in colour from purple to brown or black, depending on your skin tone and the depth of discolouration. PIH develops when a wound or irritation, like a scrape, rash, burn or pimple, causes the skin to become inflamed. Following damage to either the epidermis (superficial layer of skin) or the dermis (dense, cell producing, inner layer of skin), the epidermis will begin stimulating melanocytes (melanin-producing cells) to synthesize melanin at an increased rate.
Melanin is the protein in the skin that gives it its colour and this excess melanin is what darkens and discolours the skin. While PIH generally remains after the wound has completely healed, steps may be taken to promote faster healing and fading of pigmentation. Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation is a distinct darkening of post-congestion spots or other sites of injury, which leave noticeable contrast between the site of inflammation and surrounding, unaffected tissue.
