Aesthetics
Treated with ProYellow laser
After a breakout heals, many people are left with flat red or pink marks that can last for months. They come from small blood vessels that stayed dilated after the inflammation, and they respond well to the right laser.
Post-inflammatory erythema (PIE) is red, pink or purple and fades briefly when you press on it. It is more common in fair to medium skin. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is brown and does not blanch, because it is excess pigment rather than blood vessels. The two need different treatment, so getting this right first matters. PIH is covered on our Hyperpigmentation / melasma page.
Dr Humphries uses the ProYellow 577nm laser. Haemoglobin in blood absorbs this wavelength strongly, so the laser closes the small dilated vessels behind the red marks while leaving the surrounding skin intact. Pigment-targeting treatments and most skincare do little for PIE because they don't address the vessels.
Most people need two to three sessions, a few weeks apart. Marks often look noticeably calmer after the first.
Very little. The skin may look slightly pink or puffy for a few hours.
Yes, and the ProYellow laser is actually effective for active acne too.
Book a consultation with Dr Rob Humphries at Aion Labs, London.
