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What is hyperpigmentation?
Normal skin contains cells called melanocytes that produce the brown
skin-coloring pigment melanin. There are several conditions in which
melanocytes are either abnormal or abnormally distributed. Most skin
conditions that cause discoloration are harmless.
A pale area of the skin is the result of fewer or less active
melanocytes than usual, whereas a darker area (or area that tans more
easily) indicates more numerous or more active melanocytes.
What about the red/brown marks left behind after acne?
These kind of marks are postinflammatory hyperpigmented lesions and are
located at the site of a skin trauma after it has healed.They can
result from acne, bites, burns or skin infections. The lesions range
from light brown to black in colour. Lesions may become darker if
exposed to sunlight (UV rays).
Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation can occur in anyone, but is more
common in darker skinned individuals, in whom the colour tends to be
more intense and persists for a longer period.
What is the cause of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation?
Inflammatory responses of the skin to disease or trauma results in the
release and oxidation of arachidonic acid. The resulting reaction
alters the activity of immune cells and melanocytes. Melanocytes
produce more melanin (skin colour pigment), which is transferred to
surrounding skin cells. This is known as epidermal hypermelanosis and
can be treated with skin care products.