POST-ACNE ERYTHEMA
Post-acne erythema (PAE) is a common sequela of acne inflammation, and it refers to telangiectasia and erythematous lesions remaining after the acne treatment.
This is often due to inflamed acne. Mild, non-inflamed acne, which includes blackheads and whiteheads, or comedonal acne, is not typically a cause of PIE. Acne with inflamed papules and pustules is more likely to result in PIE. “Post-Inflammatory erythema can vary in intensity, in some cases appearing like a faint pink color while in other cases appearing as more of a deep red
CAUSES
- Oil
Acne sufferers commonly have higher amounts of oil production, and the oil is thicker and stickier than those with balanced skin. Oil causes a build-up in the follicle and blocks the duct, causing pimples to form. “Acneic skin also has lower levels of free fatty acids like which are believed to contribute to acne - Bacteria
While all skin has bacteria, acne sufferers have a higher level of P.acnes bacteria than others. P.acnes feed on the excess oil and cause inflammation, redness, and infection, which manifests as acne. When the bacteria digest the trapped oil, this produces fatty acid waste that causes the irritation.” This exact irritation can then translate to PIE, often leading to pink or red patches on the skin. - Harsh Products
If you’ve ever used a harsh product that did not suit your skin, chances are you’ve dealt with irritation and redness as a result.
It is important to not overdo it and to avoid harsh soaps and abrasive scrubs which can lead to skin irritation and can exacerbate redness and post-inflammatory erythema. Avoid using too many active ingredients at the same time to avoid disrupting the skin barrier and causing excess irritation. - Picking
Picking, popping, or squeezing an acne can increase the risk of PIE, as it can trigger more inflammation which can subsequently lead to more redness and scarring. This is one of the key reasons why it is best to avoid touching your acne .
If you are experiencing a scab or have already picked at a breakout, a way to reduce the potential for post-inflammatory erythema is to actually treat that scab as you would any other wound to help facilitate the healing process. If you have a large pimple, it can also help to visit your board-certified dermatologist for a cortisone injection which can help to reduce the breakout. - Hormones
Whether you learned it the hard way growing up or learned it in health class, you’re likely aware that any shift in hormone levels can result in acne. With high levels of testosterone leading to more oil production and breakouts, puberty, monthly menstrual cycles, polycystic ovary syndrome, perimenopause and menopause are the main hormonally-induced conditions that can trigger acne breakouts.” - Excess Dead Skin
A more under-the-radar cause of acne, excess dead skin can trigger PIE. “The excess oil stimulates and aggravates the walls of the follicles and contributes to the tendency to retain the dead skin cells. Those with acne produce more skin cells—up to five times—as well as stickier than normal skin cells that aren’t properly shed.
How to Treat Post-Inflammatory Erythema
- Laser Treatment
The Lumenis laser treatments are effective treatment modalities in reduction of acne-induced erythema along with active acne lesions and atrophic acne scars
While PIE can fade with time, tells us, lasers can be used to help expedite the resolution and work by targeting the blood vessels that may be contributing to the redness. While you may see improvement from just one session, it can often take several sessions to achieve desired results. Only the expert doctor after clinical evaluation could tell you how many sessions exactly would be required to treat them. The laser may cause the redness to initially appear darker temporarily within few hours of treatment, but then the redness will continue to subside. - Chemical peels
Certain types of chemicals are able to treat PIH. This lightens and reduces pigment in skin, and speeds up the skin growth cycle. Chemical peels vary in strength from mild to deep. Because deeper peels can sometimes cause PIH, it’s safer to start with more superficial peels.
Mesopeel is one such peel. They make a range of advanced pharmaceutical chemical peels designed for dermo – cosmetic professionals. After several minutes of applying the peel, its neutralized by washing away the chemicals . Jessner’s solution and Azelaic acid also inhibits tyrosinase, making it effective for PIH. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory, which can help with PIE.
