What is PIH, and is it a scar?
PIH is excess pigment the skin produces in response to inflammation — such as acne, irritation or injury. Crucially, it's a flat mark, not a textural scar: run your finger over it and the skin is smooth. This matters because PIH is generally easier to improve than true acne scars, and it's treated with pigment-focused (not resurfacing) methods.
Why is PIH so common — and stubborn — in darker skin?
Richer skin tones produce more pigment in response to inflammation, so PIH is more common and can linger longer on Fitzpatrick types IV–VI. Dubai's UV and heat compound the problem by keeping the skin in a pigment-prone state. This is also why aggressive treatment is risky — over-treating can cause more PIH, the opposite of what you want.
How do you fade PIH?
A gentle, consistent, pigment-focused approach works best:
- Treat the cause first— control active acne or irritation, or new marks keep forming
- Daily sun protection— the single biggest factor in how fast PIH fades Dermatologist-guided topical pigment-control
- Gentle chemical peels where appropriate Patience— PIH fades gradually over weeks to months See our pigmentation and melasma treatment approach. Individual results vary.
How do you prevent PIH in the first place?
Prevention beats treatment: don't pick or squeeze spots (this drives inflammation and PIH), treat acne and irritation early, avoid harsh DIY treatments, and protect from the sun daily. For acne-prone darker skin especially, gentle, consistent care prevents the marks that are then slow to fade.
When should you see a dermatologist?
If marks are widespread, slow to fade, or you're not sure whether they're PIH or scars, an assessment clarifies it and sets the right plan — and helps you avoid treatments that could worsen pigmentation. Getting the diagnosis right (marks vs scars) saves time and money.