Whats Normal- Hyperpigmentation

Continuing our series of what's normal during piercing healing, lets talk about hyperpigmentation! This is a common, generally harmless condition that occurs when areas of skin are darker than the surrounding tissue, usually due to melanin. When we discuss piercings, we are usually talking about post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) which is acquired after skin inflammation or injury. PIH is very common in various wounds, scars, and injuries. Most folks will experience some PIH, usually after a small injury or after acne. This can also occur around healing piercings, and while it can be stressful to see, it’s also very normal.

What is Hyperpigmentation?

When our bodies get injured, there is a process of wound healing that they follow to repair the damaged skin, close the wound, and get everything healthy again. Inflammation or swelling is a normal part of this process. Sometimes, as a side effect of this, our bodies also produce extra melanin, which creates darker-colored areas around the site of the wound. These can be tan, brown, dark brown, reddish, black, and even blue-grey patches and spots on your skin. The most common example of this is dark spots left behind after acne.

This hyperpigmentation can happen to anyone, with any skin type, but is more prevalent in darker-skinned folks, as well as people with existing skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, or chronic acne. With piercings, it can occur for a range of reasons. Some folks are simply more prone to hyperpigmentation, and get it around most wounds, including piercings. Dealing with irritation and issues during healing can also make this more likely to occur. And wearing low-quality jewelry or using improper and harsh aftercare can also increase your risk of getting hyperpigmentation around your piercings.

Hyperpigmentation from a rejecting navel piercing

The good news is that hyperpigmentation can be treated! For many, it dissipates as the piercing heals, and once it’s fully healed, the dark spots will go away completely. I know, patience can be the hardest part of piercings, but truly, patience is step one. Try not to fret any hyperpigmentation or dark spots if your piercing is still healing. And remember many piercings can take an entire year to fully heal, with some taking even longer. Give your body time to do it’s job!

Now if your piercing is fully, fully healed and you still have some discoloration around the area, you can see about using over-the-counter dark spot treatments. There are a variety of products from retinols that increase skin cell turnover to acids that reduce melanin production. A consultation with an experienced esthetician or dermatologist can determine the type of product that's best for your skin, and you can see about gently using some around your piercing to treat the dark spot. Be aware that some products may cause irritation to piercings, and you may need to do some experimentation to find a product that's is effective for your skin and gentle on your piercings. Always patch test first in an unrelated area before applying anything around your piercings.

And if over-the-counter products don’t work, you can always seek a consultation with a dermatologist about stronger treatments such as lasers or peels. Thankfully these days we have more resources than ever to treat hyperpigmentation, and we understand that it’s not harmful or dangerous to us. I know it can be stressful to see this around your piercing but I promise it is very normal for many! Happy healing!