Anyone who has experienced acne knows that when the pimple finally goes away, the skin around it can become red. Post-inflammatory erythema, or PIE, is the technical term for this vexing condition. And it is commonly as persistent and aggravating as the original acne.
When blemishes have flattened out and healed, the battle with acne does not always end. Acne breakouts frequently leave pink, red, and sometimes purple patches on the skin after they heal. Post-inflammatory erythema, or PIE, refers to these scars.
It normally fades with time, but in some cases, particularly if you can’t take your hands off your face, it can cause scarring.
If left untreated, Post Inflammation Erythematous, also known as PIE, can last up to months and even years.
What Is Post Inflammatory Erythema?
Post-inflammatory erythema pertains to pink or reddish patches that appear as a result of skin inflammation caused by trauma. This is frequently caused by an injury or inflamed acne.
Post inflammatory erythema is not usually caused by mild, non-inflamed acne, which includes blackheads and whiteheads. PIE is more likely in acne with inflamed papules and pustules.
Papules are red, inflamed bumps less than 5 mm (a tenth of an inch) in size, whereas pustules have a white or yellow tip.
The severity of post-inflammatory erythema varies. It appears in some cases as pale pink, while in others it appears as a deep red.
The color may change as the post-inflammatory erythema fades and begins to fade.
Post-inflammatory erythema can also affect the face and body. Acne can appear anywhere, including common areas such as the neck, chest, and back.
What Is the Cause of Post Inflammatory Erythema?
The followings are the major causes of post inflammatory erythema:
- Oil
- Bacteria
- Harsh Products
- Hormones
- Excess Dead Skin
Oil
Erythema patients frequently produce more oil, and the oil is thicker and stickier than those with balanced skin. What exactly does this mean? Oil causes a buildup in the follicle and blocks the duct, resulting in pimples.
Bacteria
While bacteria exist on all skin, acne patients have a higher level of P. acnes bacteria than others. “P. acnes feeds on excess oil, causing inflammation, redness, and infection, resulting in acne.” When the bacteria digest the trapped oil, fatty acid waste is produced, which causes irritation. This specific irritation can then progress to PIE, resulting in pink or red patches on the skin.
Harsh Products
If you’ve ever used a harsh product that didn’t agree with your skin, you’ve most likely experienced irritation and redness as a result. While there are numerous acne treatments, it is critical not to overdo it and to avoid harsh soaps and abrasive scrubs, which can cause skin irritation and exacerbate redness and post-inflammatory erythema.
Hormones
You’re probably aware that any change in hormone levels can result in acne, whether you learned it the hard way growing up or in health class. Puberty, monthly menstrual cycles, polycystic ovary syndrome, perimenopause, and menopause are the main hormonally-induced conditions that can trigger acne breakouts, with high levels of testosterone leading to more oil production and breakouts.
Excess Dead Skin
Excess dead skin is a less-noticed cause of Post Inflammatory Erythema. Excess oil stimulates and aggravates the follicle walls, contributing to the tendency to retain dead skin cells. Post-inflammatory erythema patients produce up to five times more skin cells, which are stickier than normal skin cells that aren’t properly shed.
How To Get Rid of Post Inflammatory Erythema Fast
Here are the two best know ways of treating post inflammatory erythema
- Topical Treatments
- Medical Treatment
Topical post inflammatory erythema treatment
The following are the topical means for post inflammatory erythema treatment:
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is the most abundant antioxidant in human skin. It is required for collagen formation, pigmentation reduction, and the neutralization of oxidative stress caused by environmental variables (such as UV radiation, pollution, and smoking).
Vitamin C is a skin component that can help with hyperpigmentation, a dull complexion, and premature skin aging. A vitamin C serum can help your skin. It can penetrate deeper layers of the skin due to its lower molecular weight, resulting in faster results.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a water-soluble Vitamin B3 form. According to some research, niacinamide enhances ceramide, free fatty acid, and cholesterol levels in the stratum corneum. This can aid in the stabilization of the skin’s barrier function, lowering water loss and improving hydration.
Niacinamide’s anti-inflammatory properties aid in the reduction of skin redness. It works to reduce acne spots by lightening them while also clearing the pores of bacteria due to its antimicrobial properties. It is available in a variety of formulations, including toners, and serums, and as an active ingredient in moisturizers.
Sunscreen
There are numerous advantages to wearing sunscreen every day. Acne is caused by the overproduction of oil by the sebaceous glands as a result of high temperatures. This is why you need sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, which not only cause acne but also aggravate existing acne.
According to dermatologists, wearing a good broad-spectrum sunscreen provides adequate UV ray protection and aids in the effective relief of PIE symptoms.
Aloe Vera
If you’ve ever experienced a sunburn, you’ve probably heard of aloe vera, a plant extract that’s frequently used to soothe sensitive skin. Aloe vera contains vitamins A, C, and E, as well as saponins and amino acids, and it is hydrating, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory.
Moisturizers
Dry skin produces excessive oil in the sebaceous glands to compensate for a lack of moisture. Excess sebum clogs pores, causing severe acne and outbreaks. This is why, whether your skin is oily or dry, experts recommend keeping it hydrated to avoid acne and its aftereffects (PIE). Because acne-prone skin is so delicate, investing in the right moisturizer is always a good idea.
Choose a moisturizer that is “non-comedogenic,” free of mineral oils and parabens, and has oil-controlling properties if you have post-inflammatory erythema.
If you suffer from dry, acne-prone skin, look for moisturizers that contain ingredients such as
Hyaluronic acid
Ceramides
Lactic acid
Medical post inflammatory erythema treatment
In addition to topical treatments, various medical treatments can help reach beneath the skin’s surface to break down damaged capillaries and brighten the complexion.
Laser treatments
Dermatologists can use different types of lasers post inflammatory erythema treatment. They work by locating and removing damaged blood vessel areas beneath the skin, thereby reducing discoloration and inflammation. Pulsed dye laser/intense pulsed light, fractionated resurfacing laser, and blue light treatments are some of the treatment options. Laser treatments are also an option for people who have rosacea, wrinkles, port wine stains, and other vascular conditions.
Microneedling
A device lined with bitsy needles called a derma comber is used to induce a superficial, controlled skin bruise during a micro-needling treatment. This encourages the skin to produce new elastin and collagen-rich towel that can exclude face abrasion, smooth skin’s texture, and break up acne-related scarring.
Best Post Inflammatory erythema products
Here are the best post Inflammatory erythema products to use :
- The Ordinary
- Dermatica
- Paula’s Choice
- SkinCeuticals
- Alastin Skincare
The Ordinary
Azelaic acid is among the few ingredients substantiated to help with post-inflammatory redness, particularly acne scars.
When applied to the skin, the product instantly mattifies, and it contains silicones, which can help slow transepidermal water loss.
Dermatica
Dermatica is a light product that can be used in the mornings or evenings and can be combined with other active ingredients such as exfoliating acids and retinol.
However, you must first allow your skin to adjust to it, and due to the strength of this product, some initial sensitivity is likely.
Paula’s Choice
Paula’s Choice is a fantastic product that is ideal for anyone suffering from post-inflammatory redness and mild hyperpigmentation. It’s also extremely good for the skin and suitable for use during pregnancy and on rosacea-prone skin.
SkinCeuticals
If you have leftover hyperpigmentation, redness, or purplish-brown spots that you don’t know if they are hyperpigmentation or erythema, SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense serum is an excellent choice.
This multiuse serum is an effective treatment that combines tranexamic and kojic acids, as well as niacinamide.
Alastin Skincare
Alastin Renewal Retinol is a product that helps improve skin elasticity, tone, and texture.
It encompasses retinol that has been encapsulated, which means that the active ingredient will be released slowly into the skin and will not cause irritation.
Aside from that, the product contains ceramides and niacinamide to help strengthen and repair the skin barrier, antioxidants to neutralize free radical damage, and oat extract, which is a powerful soothing, and calming ingredient that helps reduce redness and irritation.
Conclusion
Acne breakouts leave behind red, pink, or purple spots, which are known as post-inflammatory erythema.
PIE clears up on its own, but it can be resolved more quickly with dermatological treatments. Home remedies may also help to minimize or remove it.
FAQs About post inflammatory erythema
Post-inflammatory erythema are not permanent it resolves on their own, but they can be cleared up more quickly with dermatological treatments.
Swabbing and excessive washing irritate the skin. The more you irritate it, the more inflammation it produces and the greater the risk of post-inflammatory erythema, scarring, or long-term skin irritation.
Here are the best products that you should use for post inflammatory erythema treatment:
The Ordinary, Dermatica, Paula’s Choice, SkinCeuticals, Alastin Skincare…
Reference
- www.buoyhealth.com– The Best Treatments for Post-Inflammatory Erythema
- www.webmd.com– What to Know About Post-Inflammatory Erythema
- www.byrdie.com-Post-Inflammatory Erythema: What It Is and How to Treat It
- www.healthline.com– How to Treat Post-Inflammatory Erythema
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