Inflammation of the skin can lead to scarring. Scarring in the form of a dark spot or dark area on the skin that is red or brown in color is more accurately termed hyperpigmentation or post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Any time your skin becomes inflamed whether it be from a pimple, a bug bite, a rash, a chemical peel, photodynamic therapy (PDT), and/or aminolevulinic acid (ALA) - your risk for pigmentation scarring increases. Acne procedures such as PDT-ALA and certain types of chemical peels can leave the skin red - post procedure. However, it is unnecessary and inefficacious to chronically have red skin after your acne treatments. There is now way of predicting how a patients skin will respond to treatment, and even with the mildest treatment the skin will occasionally react in certain individuals. However, if a treatment leaves your skin red, you want an acne practitioner that can determine what triggered the reaction and provide alternative acne treatment on your following visit if necessary. There are other treatment options out there for acne that will effectively clear your skin without redness or the potential for pigmentation scarring.
