Post inflammatory Erythema Treatment
Treat post acne erythema, redness and scars today.
Post inflammatory erythema (PIE) is a common dermatological condition following inflammation or injury.
- Professional | Established | Trusted
- Treat PIE, Acne Scars and Skin Texture
- Customised treatment to your skin type
- Safe for All Skin Types
What is Post Inflammatory Erythema?
Post inflammatory erythema (PIE) is a common dermatological condition that is characterised by red marks or spots following injury or an inflammatory process. One of the most common cause is acne. Many patients recovering from acne find the appearance of post-acne erythema or PIE to be undesirable. While some cases of PIE will slowly improve over time, many patients seek treatment to address the discolouration and associated scarring.
Our Approach
Post Inflammatory Erythema
The treatment of post-inflammatory erythema requires a multifaceted approach tailored to the individual’s skin type and the severity of the condition. Combining topical treatments, advanced dermatological procedures, and preventative measures can effectively reduce erythema and improve skin appearance. With extensive experience in treating skin of colour, Dr. Ng aims to lighten the appearance of your scars, promote healing, and enhance your confidence.
What Causes Post Inflammatory Erythema?
Post inflammatory erythema (PIE) is a believed to arise from the dilatory changes to the small blood vessels within the dermis during the healing phase. As these microvascular structures are filled with haemoglobin, they appear red in colour (hence the term erythema). There is often associated thinning of the epidermis makes the redness more apparent as light is reflected off these microvascular structures. In addition, there is often damage to the dermis, leading to co-existence of atrophic acne scars.
Common causes of PIE include:
- Acne
- Rosacea
- Trauma
- Burns
- Dermatitis
- Psoriasis
- Aesthetic treatments such as lasers, chemical peels, microneedling (rare)
- Infections e.g. chickenpox scars
How do you diagnose Post Inflammatory Erythema?
The diagnosis of post-inflammatory erythema is primarily clinical, supported by patient history and physical examination. Dermatoscopy and, in rare cases, histopathological examination can aid in confirming the diagnosis and differentiating PIE from other skin conditions. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective management and treatment, ensuring that patients receive appropriate care to alleviate symptoms and improve skin appearance.
What is the differnce between post inflammatory erythema vs. post inflammatory hyperpigmentation?
It is important to distinguish between post-inflammatory erythema and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The causes, duration and trigger factors differ hence these would influence treatment options and management plan.
Feature | Post-inflammatory erythema (PIE) | Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) |
|---|---|---|
Definition | Pink, Red or Purple skin discolouration | Light to Dark Brown skin discolouration |
Cause | Small blood vessel dilation and skin thinning | Reactive melanin production from inflammation or injury |
Skin Type Affected | Lighter skin tones | Darker skin tones |
Trigger | Acne, Rosacea, Inflammatory dermatoses | Acne, Eczema, Insect Bites, Psoriasis |
Duration | Can last weeks to months | Can last months to years |
Prognosis | May resolve with time and treatment | Tends to be stubborn and persists longer |
What else it can look like | Rosacea, Seborrheoic dermatitis | Melasma, Lentigines, Rieh’s melanosis |
Treatment Approach
The treatment of post inflammatory erythema requires a multi-modal approach that is customised to the individual skin type and severity of your condition. Combining topical treatments, advanced dermatological lasers and energy-based devices can effectively reduce skin redness, scars and improve overall skin appearance. It is essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional to develop a individualised treatment plan that considers your skin condition, severity and associated scarring.
Topical treatment
- Tranexamic acid: Known to inhibit plasmin, tranexamic acid reduces inflammatory mediators, leading to a decrease in redness. In addition, it has potent anti-inflammatory and melanin reducing properties.
- Brimonidine: Through its anti-inflammatory and vasoconstriction effects, brimonidine reduces diameter of blood vessels to decrease blood flow to the affected areas.
- Vitamin C: As a potent antioxidant, vitamin C can help reduce inflammation and improve skin tone by enhancing collagen synthesis and protecting against photodamage.
- Oxymetazoline (OXZ): Established treatment that reduces the appearance of PIE by its vasoconstriction effects.
Laser treatment for PIE
- Vascular Laser: Lasers in the pulsed dye laser range targets blood vessels at the skin’s surface, reducing redness and promoting collagen production to improve skin texture.
- Nd:YAG Laser: Nd:YAG lasers in the nano-second and pico-second laser range may be beneficial at addressing erythema, hyperpigmentation and atrophic acne scars.
- Fractional Laser Treatments: These lasers create micro-injuries in the skin, stimulating the body’s natural healing process and reducing erythema over time.
Fractional RF Microneedling treatment for PIE
Fractional Radiofrequency (RF) Microneedling is an advanced dermatological treatment that combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to improve skin texture, tone, and appearance. This treatment is particularly effective for addressing post-inflammatory erythema (PIE) and acne scars.
- Reduction of erythema: The heat generated by the RF helps in the resorption of unwanted blood vessels through its ablative effect.
- Acne scar resurfacing: By inducing controlled micro-injuries and delivering RF energy, fractional RF microneedling stimulates the production of new collagen. This helps to fill in atrophic acne scars, resulting in a smoother skin surface.
- Minimal Downtime: Unlike more invasive procedures, fractional RF microneedling has minimal downtime, allowing patients to resume their normal activities relatively quickly.
- Safety and Efficacy: The treatment is safe for all skin types and has been proven effective in clinical studies for both PIE and acne scars.
- Customizable Treatment: The depth of needle penetration and the intensity of RF energy can be adjusted to suit the specific needs of the patient, ensuring personalized and effective treatment.
Our PIE Treatment Experience
Our Approach:
Personalized Consultation: Every patient’s skin concern is unique, which is why we begin with a thorough consultation to assess the scar’s type, size, location, and skin type. This allows us to create a customized treatment plan that is most effective for each individual.
Cutting-Edge Technology: We employ state-of-the-art technologies, such as laser therapy, microneedling, and medical grade topical therapy, to promote skin regeneration and improve post inflammatory erythema appearance. These non-invasive procedures are designed to minimize discomfort and downtime, providing our patients with a smoother and more even skin texture.
Combination Treatments: Often, the most best post-inflammatory erythema removal results are achieved through a combination of treatments. We may recommend a blend of laser therapy, RF microneedling, and topical treatments to address your PIE from multiple angles, enhancing the overall efficacy.
Expertise and Experience: Our team of experience doctors have extensive experience in scar and pigmentation management. We stay updated with the latest research and advancements in the field to ensure our patients receive the highest standard of care.
Patient Education and Support: We believe in empowering our patients with knowledge about their treatments. We provide detailed information about the procedures, expected outcomes, and post-treatment care to ensure patients are well-informed and comfortable throughout their journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
PIE is characterized by red or pink spots due to blood vessel changes, while PIH appears as brown or black spots caused by excess melanin. PIE results from vascular changes, whereas PIH results from pigment changes.
Laser therapy, such as pulsed dye laser (PDL) and intense pulsed light (IPL), targets the hemoglobin in blood vessels. This helps reduce redness and improve the appearance of PIE by promoting the reabsorption of dilated blood vessels and reducing inflammation.
The time to see results varies depending on the treatment and the individual’s skin condition. Topical treatments may show improvement in a few weeks to months. Laser therapies and microneedling may require multiple sessions, with noticeable results typically seen after a few treatments.
Most PIE treatments have minimal side effects. Topical treatments may cause mild irritation or dryness. Laser therapies and microneedling can result in temporary redness, swelling, or bruising, which usually subsides within a few days. It is essential to follow post-treatment care instructions to minimize side effects.
While it may not be possible to prevent PIE entirely, taking steps to manage skin inflammation can help reduce its occurrence. This includes:
- Proper skincare: Using gentle, non-irritating products and maintaining a consistent skincare routine.
- Sun protection: Applying broad-spectrum sunscreen daily to prevent further skin damage.
- Acne management: Effectively treating acne and other inflammatory skin conditions to minimize the risk of PIE.
Good candidates for PIE treatments are individuals with red or pinkish spots on their skin following an inflammatory event, such as acne. It is essential to consult with a experienced and qualified laser surgeon to determine the most appropriate treatment based on skin type, condition, and medical history.
To maintain the results of PIE treatments, it is crucial to:
- Follow a proper skincare regimen: Use products recommended by your dermatologist.
- Protect your skin from the sun: Apply sunscreen daily.
- Manage underlying conditions: Treat acne and other inflammatory skin conditions promptly to prevent recurrence.
Post inflamatory Erythema insight
While PIE is benign, it can have a considerable impact on patients' emotional and psychological well-being. A multifaceted treatment approach, including topical agents, energy-based devices, and laser therapies, along with diligent sun protection, can effectively reduce redness and improve skin appearance.
Schedule a consultation for Post Inflammatory erythema treatment in Singapore
Education about the nature of PIE, expected treatment outcomes, and the importance of adherence to treatment regimens is vital for successful management. Regular follow-up appointments should be scheduled to monitor progress and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan. Dr. Ng has helped numerous patients achieve a more natural and beautiful complexion. If you want to explore options on how to treat your PIE effectively, contact us to schedule an appointment with Dr.Ng.
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Or give us a call at +65 6769 6007 | WhatsApp us +65 9855 3022
References:
- Kalantari Y, Dadkhahfar S, Etesami I. Post‐acne erythema treatment: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2022 Apr;21(4):1379-9
- Amiri R, Khalili M, Mohammadi S, Iranmanesh B, Aflatoonian M. Treatment protocols and efficacy of light and laser treatments in post‐acne erythema. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2022 Feb;21(2):648-56.
ABOUT DR MOSES NG
MBBS (London) with distinction
Dip Practical Dermatology (Cardiff) with distinction
Member of American Acne & Rosacea Society
Fellow of American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery
LinkedIn Profile 
Dr. Moses Ng is a distinguished professional in the field of aesthetic medicine, renowned for his expertise in advanced cosmetic procedures. With over 15 years of experience, extensive training and a keen eye for detail, Dr. Ng specializes in a wide range of treatments, including injectables, laser therapies, and acne scar management.
Dr. Moses Ng’s commitment to excellence and patient-centric approach have earned him a reputation as a trusted clinician in aesthetic medicine. His continuous pursuit of the latest advancements in the field ensures that his patients receive the highest standard of care and the most effective treatments available.
