Hello, NPBabes! We hope you are all in good health. We’re back with another #NPSkincareShare and this week we will be discussing PIH and PIE. These two terms are quite popular in the skincare world as they are skin concerns that a lot of people face.

First off, let’s discuss PIH. PIH stands for Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation. PIH occurs when excess melanin production is triggered due to inflammation. As a result of melanin overproduction, discolouration of the skin can be seen on your face.

How does it happen? When a wound or irritation causes the skin to become inflamed, the skin produces too much melanin as it heals. Excess melanin is what darkens and discolours the skin. This discolouration persists even after the wound completely heals.

PIH can be caused by a number of factors. One of the main culprits behind PIH is acne. Acne is a form of skin irritation. The more inflamed a breakout is, the bigger and darker the PIH spot tends to be.

A bad habit would be picking or popping a pimple as it increases the chances of developing PIH. This is because you’re increasing irritation and inflammation of the skin. Other causes of PIH are sunburns, chemical peels and dermabrasions.

A common misconception is PIH = acne scar. However, PIH is often called pseudo-scarring. This is due to the fact that it does not damage the skin despite leaving a mark on the skin for a period of time.

Acne scars mostly refers to either a loss of tissue, which causes a pitted or depressed area or an overgrowth of tissue, which causes raised scars. PIH is flat and simply skin that is darker in colour than the surrounding skin.

How do you get rid of PIH? Since PIH forms due to inflammation, it is ideal to avoid inflaming or irritating the skin. Other methods include using skincare products with ingredients that target hyperpigmentation.

Examples of those ingredients are niacinamide, AHAs, hydroquinone and retinoids. Beware as some of these ingredients may cause PIH if used improperly or without proper care. PIH treatments may also make your skin more sensitive to the sun.

Moreover, the sun may also cause PIH to darken. Therefore, it is important to always wear and reapply sunscreen every day.

Now, let’s discuss PIE. PIE is Post-Inflammatory Erythema. They are reddish pink blemishes that occur when blood vessels under the skin are damaged or abnormally dilated. The discolouration varies depending on severity from pink, red to deep purple colour.

PIE is different from PIH as it refers to the residual redness (erythema) while PIH describes actual pigmentation change (dark spots). Both are not true scars that are permanent on the skin.

PIE is caused by moderate or severe inflammation and trauma such as chemical burns, sunburns or injuries due to over-exfoliation of the skin. Acne inflammation is one of the most common causes of PIE.

There is a reason why dermatologists and estheticians stress for you to avoid picking on pimples. Popping pimples with your fingers is the easiest way to damage and break blood vessels. This will cause them to dilate and be appear more prominent.

How do you differentiate between PIH and PIE, especially since acne can cause both of them? An easy test is to apply pressure. PIE temporarily disappears when you apply pressure to it while PIH does not.

How do you treat PIE? Firstly, stop picking on any new pimples. This prevents further inflammation and prevents you from pushing bacteria into wounds which will aggravate the skin.

Secondly, avoid physical exfoliation. This is because they can be very abrasive and may damage and cause micro-tearing in the skin. This weakens and breaks blood vessels. Ditch harsh facial cleansers too, especially ones that contain high sulfates.

Opt for skincare products with anti-inflammatory ingredients such as green tea and centella asiatica. You can also try products with niacinamide, vitamin C and azelaic acid. And DO NOT forget to wear sunscreen!

We hope this thread has helped you in differentiating PIH and PIE. You can ask us any questions and we would be happy to enlighten you. See you next week, NPBabes!