Frequency and characteristics of acne‐related post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Abstract
In patients with darker skin types (Fitzpatrick phototypes III–VI), acne is often accompanied by post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Further, acne‐related pigmentation can pose a greater concern for the patient than the acne lesions. There has been little formal study of this acne‐related PIH. Recently, the Asian Acne Board – an international group of dermatologists with interest in acne research – made a preliminary evaluation of the frequency and characteristics of PIH in seven Asian countries. A total of 324 sequential acne subjects were evaluated for the presence of PIH. The majority (80.2%) of subjects had mild to moderate acne and there were more females than males (63.0% vs 37.0%). In this population of patients consulting a dermatologist for acne, 58.2% (188/324) had PIH. The results also showed that pigmentation problems are often long lasting: at least 1 year for more than half of subjects and 5 years or longer in 22.3%. In accordance with our clinical experience, patients reported that PIH is quite bothersome, often as bothersome or more so than the acne itself and sometimes more problematic. Excoriation was commonly reported by patients, and may represent a modifiable risk factor that could potentially be improved by patient education.
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32% of subjects reported that they were more bothered by PIH than their acne lesions.
“Additionally, 32% of subjects reported that they were more bothered by PIH than their acne lesions. 60”
From International expert consensus recommendations for the use of dermocosmetics in acne. (2025) · cites this paper as [60]
Excoriation is a significant modifiable risk factor for PIH.
“This may be particularly beneficial for patients with a tendency for excoriation, which is a significant modifiable risk factor for PIH. 60”
From International expert consensus recommendations for the use of dermocosmetics in acne. (2025) · cites this paper as [60]
In a large study (n=324) of Asian patients from seven countries, more than half of patients with acne and PIH had experienced it for >1 year and 22% reported having it for >5 years.
“In a large study (n = 324) of Asian patients from seven countries, more than half of patients with acne and PIH had experienced it for >1 year and 22% reported having it for >5 years. 60”
From International expert consensus recommendations for the use of dermocosmetics in acne. (2025) · cites this paper as [60]
Cites
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Oram, Y., & Akkaya, A. D. (2014) · PubMed · Cited by 29 · see citing works
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Del Bino, S., Duval, C., & Bernerd, F. (2018) · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · doi:10.3390/ijms19092668 · Cited by 315 · see citing works
International expert consensus recommendations for the use of dermocosmetics in acne.
Thiboutot, D., Layton, A. M., Traore, I., Gontijo, G., Troielli, P., Ju, Q., Kurokawa, I., & Dreno, B. (2025) · Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology · doi:10.1111/jdv.20145 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
“60”
InfluentialWanitphakdeedecha, R., Tavechodperathum, N., Tantrapornpong, P., Suphatsathienkul, P., Techapichetvanich, T., Eimpunth, S., & Manuskiatti, W. (2020) · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology · doi:10.1111/jocd.13178 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
- Authors
- Abad‐Casintahan, F., Chow, S. K. W., Goh, C. L., Kubba, R., Hayashi, N., Noppakun, N., See, J., Suh, D. H., Xiang, L. H. F., Kang, S., & the Asian Acne Board
- Affiliations
- Department of Dermatology Jose R. Reyes Memorial Center Manila the Philippines
- The KL Skin Center Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
- National Skin Centre (SG)
- Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IN)
- Toranomon Hospital (JP)
- Chulalongkorn University (TH)
- Central Sydney Dermatology Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Seoul National University (KR)
- Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University (CN)
- Johns Hopkins University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Kang, Sewon
- Venue
- The Journal of Dermatology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2016-01-27
- Volume
- 43
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 826-828
- ISSN
- 0385-2407 (ISSN-L)
- 1346-8138
- OpenAlex
- W2260504262
- Cited by
- 94
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 1
- FWCI
- 5.98
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Dermatology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatologic Treatments and Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Acne and Rosacea Treatments and Effects
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › melanin and skin pigmentation
- Keywords
- acne, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, Fitzpatrick skin type, darker skin types, excoriation, patient education
- MeSH terms
- Acne Vulgaris, Asia, Australia, Female, Humans, Male, Prospective Studies, Hyperpigmentation
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