The Pathogenesis and Management of Acne-Induced Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation

Nada Elbuluk, Pearl Grimes, Anna Chien, Iltefat Hamzavi, Andrew Alexis, Susan Taylor, Noelani Gonzalez, Jonathan Weiss, Seemal R. Desai, Sewon Kang

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

Acne vulgaris is a common inflammatory disease. Among patients with darker skin phototypes (Fitzpatrick III–VI), the inflammatory processes of acne stimulate excess melanogenesis and abnormal melanin deposition, leading to pigmentary sequelae known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and post-inflammatory erythema in all skin tones, although post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is more common in darker skin and post-inflammatory erythema in lighter skin. These pigmentary alterations can be long lasting and are often more distressing to patients than the active acne lesions. This article discusses what is known about acne-related pigmentation, much of which is extrapolated from general study of nonspecific pigment deposition. Because dyspigmentation poses both a significant clinical concern to patients and a therapeutic challenge to clinicians, we formed a working group consisting of pigmentary experts with the aim of increasing awareness and education of acne-related pigmentary sequelae.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)829-836
Number of pages8
JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Dermatology
Volume22
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2021

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Dermatology

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