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American Journal of Clinical Dermatology
Published in: American Journal of Clinical Dermatology 6/2021

01-11-2021 | Melasma | Review Article

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

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

Published in: American Journal of Clinical Dermatology | Issue 6/2021

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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.
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Metadata
Title
The Pathogenesis and Management of Acne-Induced Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
Authors
Nada Elbuluk
Pearl Grimes
Anna Chien
Iltefat Hamzavi
Andrew Alexis
Susan Taylor
Noelani Gonzalez
Jonathan Weiss
Seemal R. Desai
Sewon Kang
Publication date
01-11-2021
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology / Issue 6/2021
Print ISSN: 1175-0561
Electronic ISSN: 1179-1888
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-021-00633-4

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