Pigmentation & Tone
PIH (Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation)
Dark marks after breakouts or inflammation
Informational only. This content is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing your skincare routine. Individual results vary.
Most Affected
Fitzpatrick III-IV and medium, pigment-prone skin
Primary Trigger
Inflammation or skin trauma
Severity Level
Usually mild to moderate, but widespread or deep pigment can be persistent and emotionally significant.
Healing Timeline
Often 3-12 months; deeper marks can linger longer
20-Second Answer
The 3 established, editor-vetted options for this concern:
This concern has a wide range of options below — simplify first. Start here, give it time, and only add more if you need to.
PIH is what happens when skin gets inflamed and then leaves a stain behind. The original trigger can be acne, a rash, a burn, an aggressive peel, friction, or even one badly timed extraction. The skin responds to injury by sending inflammatory signals to pigment-producing cells, called melanocytes. Those cells can overproduce melanin, which leaves a brown, grey-brown, or reddish-brown mark after the bump or irritation is gone. Very rude. Very common. The important distinction: PIH is colour, not a dent. If the skin is flat but darker, that is pigment. If there is a hollow, pit, raised edge, or changed texture, that is scarring or texture damage. The two can happen together, which is why acne recovery can feel endless: the spot goes down, then the mark moves in like it pays rent. Medium, pigment-prone skin tends to show PIH more stubbornly because melanocytes are more reactive. Sun exposure, heat, picking, over-exfoliation, and using too many strong actives at once can all keep the pigment cycle switched on. The most useful approach is boring but effective: reduce new inflammation, protect from UV every day, and use pigment-regulating ingredients consistently without irritating the skin into making more marks.
Find Your Cause
Not every cause is treated the same way — find the one that matches you.
Acne and breakouts
Inflamed spots can trigger pigment cells to overproduce melanin, especially if the spot is deep or repeatedly irritated.
This one's more about routine than a specific product — gentler handling helps more than any ingredient.
Picking or squeezing
Mechanical trauma adds a second injury on top of the original breakout, which can deepen or prolong the mark.
This one's more about routine than a specific product — gentler handling helps more than any ingredient.
Aggressive exfoliation
Too many acids, peels, or scrubs can inflame the skin and keep pigment production active.
This one's more about routine than a specific product — gentler handling helps more than any ingredient.
UV exposure
Sunlight can darken existing marks and make fading slower, even when the original inflammation is gone.
Heat and friction
Heat, rubbing, tight masks, and repeated irritation can keep pigment-prone skin reactive."
This one's more about routine than a specific product — gentler handling helps more than any ingredient.
Ingredients
16 reviewedEstablished
Adapalene
Alpha Arbutin
Azelaic Acid
Ferulic Acid
Kojic Acid
Mandelic Acid
Treatments
7 reviewedEstablished
BBL / BroadBand Light
Pain: Mild · Downtime: 1-2 days · Moxie hasn't tried this treatment personally — pricing varies by clinic and provider in the UAE. Ask for a quote at consultation.
Microneedling
Pain: Mild · Downtime: 3-5 days · Moxie cost: AED 500 device + AED 150 serum (lasts ~4 sessions)
Moxi Laser
Pain: Mild · Downtime: 1-2 days · Moxie hasn't tried this treatment personally — pricing varies by clinic and provider in the UAE. Ask for a quote at consultation.
Q-Switch / Pico Laser
Pain: Moderate · Downtime: 1-2 days · Moxie's cost: about AED 2,500
Superficial Peel
Pain: Mild · Downtime: 1-2 days · Generally not pricey, you can buy over amazon
Emerging / Specialist
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