Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation Treatment in Singapore: Reviews & Prices

Get Rid of Post-Inflammatory Hyper-Pigmentation Effectively Now!

Dr Justin Boey reviews the some of the treatments for post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation in Singapore.

What is Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation?

Post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation (PIH) are brown dark spots on your skin due to inflamed skin wounds like acne or pimple spots. 

Other causes of post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation include eczema, surgical scars and skin injury like scratching.

Another cause of PIH is unsuitable cosmetic procedures for your skin type (such as IPL).

Such treatments may worsen your skin condition and lead to post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation.

What Does Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation Look Like?

Post Inflammatory Pigmentation is formed by alterations in normal pigmentation caused by skin inflammation, such as acne, dermatitis, insect bites, and such. Lesions also cause hyperpigmentation due to the fact that overproduction of melanin (skin’s natural pigment) is part of the healing process.

 

The appearance of these marks can be different depending on what caused it and on what area it is on. The pigmentation is usually darker than the normal skin tone. It may come out as a darker shade of brown, blue, and even grey. Commonly, they are flat, brown or black spots on the skin.It is because there is an increased production of melanin pigment due to an injury or inflammation to the skin.

 

Hyperpigmentation comes in different sizes – it may be rounded or patchy. What remains consistent is the differentiation of Post Inflammatory Pigmentation from your normal skin color. 

Who is more prone to Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation?

Post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation is more common in people with a darker skin tone. 

This is because people with darker skin tone have a higher tendency to produce melanin pigments.

When PIH is darker in colour and deeper in your skin, it is more difficult to treat.

The most common form of stubborn PIH is post-acne pigmentation/ post-acne marks.

Both men and women are equally susceptible to developing Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation. It affects all skin types. These appear as pigmented flat spots on the face and/or body, and ranges in colors from pink, brown, red, or black. 

People taking certain medications may also increase their risk of developing PIH. These medicines include tetracycline, antimalarial drugs, and other anticancer drugs. 

Where does post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation appear?

Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation can appear on areas that have collected enough dead skin cells (encourages oil production), acne-causing bacteria, and a pore that traps both oil and bacteria, causing inflammation. Pigmentation happens as part of the inflammation’s healing process. 

The areas that commonly experience this is the face, neck, back, and chest. However, other parts of the body may also grow some inflammation – be it acne, burns, scratch, or too much exposure from the sun. This is why it’s essential to avoid sun exposure and make it a habit to put on sunscreen no matter the season. You should also avoid picking at your skin (dark spots, scabs, acne) to prevent hyperpigmentation from forming.

The root cause of Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation is the increase or overproduction of melanin, the skin’s natural pigment. Melanin production is triggered by many factors, such as the way the skin heals after inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and more. 

Acne, rash, or any kind of injury can cause inflammation to the skin. The inflammation is what triggers the melanocytes to produce more melanin. The excess pigments form darkened and discolored areas of skin. The more severe the inflammation there is, the more obvious the discoloration may be. Picking or popping acne also increases the chance of developing PIH, as you’re increasing its inflammation. 

 

Other skin problems, such as infections, allergic reactions, psoriasis, lupus, and insect bites, may cause PIH. Some drugs may also cause pigmentation such as chloroquine, chlorpromazine, and arsenic. Lastly, ultraviolet rays are known to be highly damaging to the skin – this can cause or worsen any kinds of PIH.

 

What are the types of hyperpigmentation?

Epidermal (superficial skin layer): This is dark brown in colour. It may take months to years to get rid of post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation if left without treatment.

Dermis (inner deeper layer of skin): This tends to be bluish-grey in colour and may be permanent if it is left untreated.

Hyperpigmentation from Acne: What is it?

 

Acne can cause hyperpigmentation as the results from the overproduction of melanin as a part of the healing process following the inflammation. Dark patches appear whenever acne is healed. It may look like a scar, but it is not actually a form of scarring. The mark stays for a period of time, but it does not actually damage the hair follicle. 

Real acne scars happen when there’s a loss in the tissue, which causes a depressed area or an overgrowth of tissue, which leads to raised scars. 

PIH coming from acne, on the other hand, is not pitted or raised, but rather flat. It is only darker than the normal skin tone. 

The more inflamed acne is, the dark the PIH spot tends to be. Also, picking or popping your pimples can increase the chance of your developing PIH as you just made the inflammation worse. 

Acne Hyperpigmentation Types

There are two types of post-acne pigmentation. 

Post-inflammatory erythema: These are marks which are reddish in colour. They are caused by broken blood capillaries that have yet to heal at the site of acne lesion. 

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: These are marks which are dark brown in colour. They are caused by an overproduction of melanin. The over-production of melanin is a reaction to skin inflammation at the affected area.

Without proper treatment, post-acne pigmentation may take months or even years to fade away.

Where does post acne pigmentation appear?

The areas that are prone to acne or pimples are likely to develop PIH. Post-acne pigmentation usually commonly appears on the face, shoulder, back, and chest. However, since acne is more prone to developing on the face and neck area, these are the two most common areas where post acne pigmentation can appear.

 

As long as there’s an inflammation or acne, there is a chance pigmentation can occur when it is healed. To minimize the risk of PIH from developing, immediate proper treatments is a must and avoid picking on it. The sun may also trigger more melanin production, which can worsen the discoloration. Be sure to avoid things that could worsen your acne as this increases the chance of post acne pigmentation from occurring.

What worsens post-acne pigmentation?

Acne pigmentation occurs when acne is healed. However, several factors may worsen the pigmentation.

Squeezing pimples

When popping a pimple isn’t done correctly, instead of pushing the pus out, you might just force the pus and all the other debris deeper into the follicle. Because of this, the follicle call can rupture, spreading the pus into the dermis. This worsens the acne’s condition, making it more inflamed and leading to more redness. 

Get a professional to take care of your acne to avoid making it worse and increasing the chance of PIH.

Using unsuitable creams

Using inappropriate skin care products on your skin can worsen your acne, making it more irritated and inflamed. The more inflamed acne is, the higher the chance it will develop into hyperpigmentation. Also, the more severe acne is, the darker the spots tend to be.

Ultraviolet Rays

Applying sunscreen is important, especially when you’re dealing with acne and post-acne pigmentation. The UV radiation can cause scars to produce more melanin in the area, which darkens the spots.

When seeking treatments from a specialist, be sure to avail procedures from trained and experienced doctors to avoid any complications and worsening of the condition. Ther treatments, such as topical creams, should be used with caution to prevent further irritation and worsening of PIH.

How to get rid of hyperpigmentation or acne pigmentation in Singapore?

Post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation treatments available in Singapore include:

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation, especially those left by severe kinds of acne, are stubborn and hard to get rid of. These are marks caused by broken blood capillaries and lesions from inflammations. The dark color is the result of the overproduction of melanin in the affected area. 

 

If you are going through acne-related hyperpigmentation, you are not alone. It is best to consult your dermatologist or doctor for options of over the counter treatments or professional procedures. Here are available treatments in Singapore to target Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation or Acne Pigmentations.

Chemical Peels

This treatment usually use glycolic acid or salicylic acid. This helps resurface the upper layers of the skin to reveal healthier, lighter skin. It is effective for cell turnover and improving the appearance of the skin.

 

There are different types of chemical peels: superficial, medium, and deep. Superficial peels only target the outermost layer of the skin, which is the epidermis. Medium-depth peels are effective for age spots, actinic keratoses, and freckles while deep peels are the aggressive type and can penetrate deep into the skin.

 

This treatment works by reacting to the upper layers of the skin and dissolving damaged or pigmented skin cells, revealing healthier skin from underneath. Patients may experience a tingling sensation during the treatment but will subside once the solution has been neutralized. Deeper peels may require some numbing cream as it works deeper into the skin and is more active.

 

Chemical peels for hyperpigmentation in Singapore is priced from $150.

Hydrafacial

Hydrafacial is an effective method to deeply cleanse the skin, remove dead skin cells, debris, and dirt to reveal supple skin. This medical-grade facial treatment performs 4 rejuvenation procedure in one treatment.

 

It exfoliates the surface of the skin using water pressure and a textured tip. This gets rid of dead skin cells found on the top layers of the skin. 

 

Then a suction tip from the device is used to lift away any dead skin cells left, providing a gentle extraction.

 

 A chemical peel is then administered on the skin’s surface, which allows for deeper exfoliation. The active ingredients in these chemical peel solutions help dissolve the bonds that bind the damaged cells to the skin; this lead to healthier and smoother skin.

 

The last rejuvenation step involves applying serums containing potent ingredients that will depend on the needs of the skin.

 

This treatment is customized according to the needs of the patient. It allows us to control the course of treatment to make sure you get the most of it and its effectiveness. Hydrafacial for Hyperpigmentation in Singapore is priced from $100.

Pico Laser

Pico Laser works by breaking down excess melanin so the skin would easily absorb and clear away pigmented areas. It is a safer procedure compared to traditional lasers as it uses ultra-short 450 picoseconds, which means the skin is exposed to less heat. 

 

The high power and ultrashort pulse duration used is what breaks pigments into smaller fragments. This means fewer treatments sessions as the procedure makes it faster for pigmentations to clear up compared to other treatments. Pico Laser works 90% better and more effectively with treatments mentioned above. 4-6 treatments may be required to help you completely get rid of your targeted pigmentation.

 

As with any treatments, Pico Laser comes with minimal side effects such as mild itchiness or a pinkish flush, but this goes away within a few hours. During the procedure, tiny warm pricks may be felt, but most patients can tolerate it. After a Pico Laser Treatment, you can immediately get back to work – but it is advised not to stay under the sun for too long to avoid hyperpigmentation.

When Pico Laser is combined with the other treatments mentioned above, more than 90% improvement of your dark spots can be expected.

Price of Pico Laser for Hyperpigmentation in Singapore: From $150.

Topical Creams

Salicylic Acid

Inflammation, like acne, can produce large amounts of melanin, which leads to pigmentation. Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid that is commonly used to treat acne but is also a pigmentation fighter. It has an exfoliating effect to get rid of pigmented dead skin cells. This also has the ability to slow down or stop the formation of melanin.

Glycolic Acid

This alpha hydroxy acid is found in sugarcane, which helps breakdown melanin and promotes collagen production. It’s included in several cosmetic products from over the counter creams to medical-grade facial peels. The chemical reacts by penetrating the skin’s outer layers, breaking apart dead cells, and allowing new, healthier skin to come to the surface. Glycolic acid simply helps with peeling off dark marks and in revealing lighter skin. Being an all-natural chemical exfoliant, it is considered safe even for dark-skinned individuals to help get rid of hyperpigmentation.

Azelaic Acid

Azelaic Acid is a natural skin brightener that is comparable to the activity of 4% hydroquinone when it’s in a 20% concentration. It is originally used for treating acne; however, it is also used nowadays to fight post inflammatory hyperpigmentation because of its skin lightening pigmentation side effect. Azelaic works by stopping melanocytes growth that leads to or worsens pigmentations. It is also an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredient, which is why it’s effective for acne and rosacea.

Hydroquinone

This ingredient found in effective Pigmentation Topical Creams acts as a bleaching agent which lightens any dark spots. It works by reducing the number of melanocytes which are responsible for the production of melanin (skin’s natural pigment). Tri-Luma is one topical cream that contains potent ingredients and 4% of hydroquinone.