DrPlus Singapore · Pigmentation
PIH (Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation) Treatment in Singapore
The flat brown, red or grey marks left behind by acne, insect bites or skin injury are pigment — not scars — and they respond to different treatment. A doctor confirms what you have first, because treating PIH like a scar (or a scar like PIH) wastes sessions on both. Results vary by individual.
- Doctor-led consultation
- Suitability assessed first
- Results vary by individual
— Who this page is for
Who this page is for
PIH is one of the most common pigment concerns we see in Singapore — darker skin tones produce more reactive pigment, so marks linger longer here than most online advice assumes. If any of these sound familiar, a doctor assessment will tell you what you are actually dealing with.
Dark marks that outlast the pimple
The breakout healed months ago but a flat brown or grey mark remains. That is pigment left by inflammation — and it responds to pigment treatment, not scar treatment.
Marks from bites, cuts or burns
Insect bites, scratches, friction or a healed burn left darker patches. The mechanism is the same inflammation-driven pigment, and the assessment is the same.
Not sure if it's a mark or a scar
If the spot is flat and discoloured it is likely PIH; if the surface is dented or raised it is a scar — and many people have both. A doctor maps which is which before any plan.
Tried creams without progress
Over-the-counter brightening products can help superficial PIH slowly, but deeper dermal pigment often needs clinic treatment. An assessment establishes which layer your pigment sits in.
— What this involves
How PIH is treated — and why the layer matters
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation happens when inflammation — acne, eczema, a bite, an injury — pushes the skin's pigment cells into overdrive. The excess melanin settles either in the surface layer (epidermal PIH, usually brown) or deeper in the dermis (often grey-brown), and that depth decides the treatment: surface pigment responds to doctor-selected peels and topical regimes, while deeper pigment typically needs pico laser to fragment it for clearance.
The doctor's assessment matters more for PIH than almost any pigment concern, for two reasons. First, PIH is a pattern of behaviour, not just a spot — if the triggering inflammation (usually active acne) is not controlled, new marks form as fast as old ones clear. Second, aggressive treatment on reactive skin can itself trigger more pigment — the rebound problem — so energy settings and pacing must respect your skin tone.
A typical PIH plan at DrPlus combines trigger control, strict sun protection (UV deepens PIH markedly), a doctor-guided topical regime, and clinic treatment matched to the pigment depth — pico laser or chemical peels, reviewed as your skin responds. We do not publish prices; after assessment you receive a personalised written plan and quote, with no obligation to proceed.
Both our Singapore clinics — Tanjong Pagar and East Coast — treat PIH routinely. WhatsApp us a clear photo of your marks and we can usually explain what your plan would involve before you visit.
— Why DrPlus
Why patients choose DrPlus for pigment concerns
PIH on Asian skin rewards caution and punishes aggression — the clinical judgment is the treatment.
Many patients have pigment and texture change together. The doctor separates the two so each gets the treatment that actually works on it.
Laser and peel settings are chosen for pigment-prone skin tones, pacing treatment to avoid rebound pigmentation.
If active acne is still creating new marks, controlling it comes first — otherwise clearance becomes a treadmill.
PIH clears over months, not days. You will hear a realistic schedule at assessment, not a promised date.
Ready to discuss your skin?
Book a doctor-led assessment tailored to your concerns.
— Related treatments
Related treatments & pathways
PIH is often part of a wider picture — these are the pathways a doctor may combine with or recommend instead.
Pico Laser
Best for: Deeper or stubborn pigmentUltra-short pulses fragment dermal pigment with less heat — the main clinic tool for PIH that creams cannot reach.
Learn MoreChemical Peels
Best for: Surface pigment & textureDoctor-selected peels accelerate turnover of surface pigment and support an even tone.
Learn MoreAcne Scar Treatment
Best for: Dented or raised textureIf your marks come with true texture change, the acne scar pathway covers subcision, laser and microneedling.
Learn MorePigmentation Hub
Best for: All pigment concernsMelasma, sun spots and freckles behave differently from PIH — the pigmentation hub maps the full family.
Learn More— FAQ
Common questions
Run a finger over the spot. If it is flat and only the colour differs, it is likely PIH — pigment left by inflammation. If the surface is dented, pitted or raised, it is a true scar. Many patients have both at once, which is why a doctor maps each spot before recommending treatment — the two problems need different tools.
Superficial PIH often fades gradually over months, especially with strict sun protection. Deeper dermal pigment and PIH on darker skin tones can persist much longer — sometimes years — without treatment. A doctor can assess which pattern yours follows and whether waiting or treating is the sensible path.
We do not publish prices because PIH plans differ widely — the quote depends on the depth and extent of the pigment, whether pico laser, peels or a topical regime (or a combination) is recommended, and how many sessions your skin realistically needs. You receive a personalised written quote after assessment, with no obligation to proceed.
Pico laser is one of the preferred tools for PIH on Asian and darker skin tones precisely because its ultra-short pulses deliver less heat than traditional lasers — but settings and pacing still matter, because over-treated reactive skin can produce rebound pigment. That is why PIH treatment should be doctor-assessed and reviewed between sessions.
Usually because the trigger is still active. If breakouts are still occurring, every new spot of inflammation can leave a new mark — clearing old pigment while new pigment forms is a treadmill. A doctor will usually prioritise controlling the active acne or irritation first, then clear the remaining marks.
Yes — more than any single product. UV exposure directly darkens existing PIH and extends how long it takes to clear, which is why daily broad-spectrum sunscreen is part of every PIH plan regardless of which clinic treatment is chosen.
We see patients at SBF Center, 160 Robinson Road #03-10, in the Tanjong Pagar CBD (call +65 8851 9547), The Flow Mall, 66 East Coast Road #03-05, in Katong on the East Coast (call +65 8857 4917), and Novena Medical Centre, 10 Sinaran Drive #10-30, in Novena (call +65 8851 9505). All three clinics offer the same doctor-led consultations, so you can choose whichever location is more convenient.
SBF Center on Robinson Road is about a three-minute walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT (East–West Line) in the CBD, The Flow Mall on East Coast Road in Katong is a short walk from Marine Parade MRT on the Thomson–East Coast Line, and Novena Medical Centre on Sinaran Drive is a short sheltered walk from Novena MRT on the North–South Line. If you drive, all three buildings have carparks, with further public parking nearby.
— Request a Consultation
Find out what your marks actually are
WhatsApp us a clear photo, or book an assessment at Tanjong Pagar or East Coast. A doctor maps pigment against texture and gives you a written, personalised plan — no obligation to proceed.
- Doctor-led assessment and recommendations
- Singapore clinics at Tanjong Pagar, East Coast and Novena
- Reviewed personally — not auto-routed
- Reply via WhatsApp, typically within one business day
Medical disclaimer
Information on this page is for general education only and does not replace a consultation with a qualified medical practitioner. Suitability, downtime, risks, and results vary by individual. Please consult your doctor before deciding on any treatment. Read the full medical disclosure.
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