06 Jun Acne Marks vs Acne Scars in Singapore: PIH, Pico Laser and When Each Helps
Acne leaves two different things behind: flat dark marks, which are pigment, and depressed scars, which are lost collagen. They are treated differently, and the first job at consultation is to say which you have. This guide covers both, and where pico laser in Singapore fits for each.
By Dr Rachel Ho | Aesthetic Doctor, Founder, The Skin Longevity Clinic, Singapore
Pico laser is often searched in Singapore by patients who are dealing with acne scars, acne marks, hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. Although their appearances can be similar to some patients, the pathology behind these marks and scars are very different, and require different treatment approaches.
At The Skin Longevity Clinic, Dr Rachel Ho approaches pico laser treatments for patients through a diagnosis first approach. The treatment is planned around the pigment pattern, acne activity, scar type, skin colour, barrier condition and the patient’s recovery pattern for safety and best results.
This article focuses on pico laser Singapore for acne scars, acne marks and pigmentation. It is written for patients who want a clear, doctor-ledexplanation before deciding whether pico laser belongs in their acne and skin quality plan.
Acne marks versus acne scars, the fundamental difference
Acne marks (PIH, PIE) VS acne scars
| Feature | Brown acne marks i.e. post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) | Red acne marks i.e. post inflammatory erythema (PIE) | Depressed acne scars |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Excess melanin after inflammation, called PIH | Dilated or lingering blood vessels, sometimes called PIE | Lost collagen leaving a dent or pit |
| Feels | Flat | Flat | Indented or uneven |
| Colour behaviour | Brown to dark brown, darkens with sun | Pink to red, flushes with heat or pressure | Skin coloured, shadows change with lighting |
| Natural course | Fades over months if untriggered | Fades gradually as vessels regress | Permanent without treatment |
| Main treatments | Sunscreen, topicals, pigment laser | Time, vascular treatments | Collagen stimulation, fractional lasers, scar procedures |
Run a fingertip over the area. If the skin feels flat and the problem is purely colour, you are looking at a mark. If you can feel a dip, a pit or a raised bump, you are looking at a scar.
Asian skin produces brown marks readily. Darker skin tones carry more reactive melanocytes, so any inflammation, including a single squeezed pimple, can leave pigment that outlasts the original blemish by months.
Brown and red acne marks have different causes. Brown marks usually reflect post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, while red marks reflect vascular change, so treatment selection should differ.
Why acne-related laser treatment starts with diagnosis, not the laser
Acne is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous unit. The same inflammatory pathway that produces painful spots can also leave brown post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, persistent redness and permanent changes in collagen that appear as acne scars.
Patients often ask for pico laserstreatments as a solution to their brown or red marks, depressed scars or enlarged pores after acne. These concerns arise from different biological processes and respond to different treatment endpoints.
A brown mark usually reflects excess melanin deposition after inflammation and injury to the skin. A red mark, however, reflects vascular change and healing inflammation. On the other hand, a depressed or atrophic scar reflects collagen loss, tethering or altered dermal repair.
These differences are the reasons a consultation should include acne grading, scar typing, pigment assessment and a review of skincare tolerance. A laser session is only one part of the decision, and the preparation before and after the laser treatments can affect the outcomes of pico laser treatments.
Pico laser uses ultra short picosecond pulses to target pigment and selected scar tissue with less reliance on bulk heating.
How does pico laser work?
Picosecond lasers deliver energy in extremely short pulses measured in trillionths of a second. This creates a photoacoustic effect that breaks pigment particles into even smaller particles with less reliance on bulk heating. This is one of the reasons pico laser is used for selected types of hyperpigmentation and post acne marks.
The shorter pulse duration is very effective when the aim is pigment fragmentation, and so pico laser is the ideal laser technology for treating hyperpigmentation and dullness, including melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne and solar lentigenes (sun spots). Some Pico laser systems also use fractional lens arrays that create microscopic zones of laser tissue interaction for dermal remodelling for depressed or atrophic scars.
Pico Laser vs Q-switched Laser
| Type of laser | Pico Laser | Q Switched Laser |
|---|---|---|
| Pulse duration | Picosecond pulses, measured in trillionths of a second | Nanosecond pulses, measured in billionths of a second |
| Mechanism | Photoacoustic effect that fragments pigment with less reliance on heat | More photothermal effect, with greater reliance on heat |
| Main target | Pigment particles, post acne brown marks, selected pigmentation and some scar remodelling modes | Pigment particles and selected pigmentation concerns |
| Heat transfer to skin | Generally lower heat transfer when used appropriately | Generally higher heat transfer compared with picosecond pulses |
| Pigmentation risk | Lower risk of heat related irritation when carefully planned, but PIH can still occur | Higher caution needed in pigmentation prone Asian skin |
| Suitability for Asian skin | Often suitable when settings, intervals and aftercare are individualised | Can be suitable, but requires careful energy selection and monitoring |
Like all laser treatments, pico laser also has a risk of also worsening hyperpigmentation in individuals with active skin infections, inflammation, darker skin phenotypes or poor sun protection. However, because of pico laser’s very short pulse duration (trillionths of a second) the energy transfer from pico laser to the skin is significantly lesser than older generations of laser, hence, these risks related to energy transfer to the skin are lower with pico laser. To ensure safer outcomes with low risks of side effects, pico laser treatments at The Skin Longevity Clinic are doctor led to determine the energy selection, appropriate treatment intervals and aftercare.
Device names can be helpful, but they should not replace clinical judgment. Wavelength, fluence, spot size, pulse mode, treatment interval and patient selection are the details that determine whether a pico laser treatment is effective and safe.
Asian acne prone skin may be more prone to post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, so laser planning should account for UV exposure, heat, humidity, barrier support and rebound darkening.
Why Asian acne prone skin needs a measured plan for lasers
In Asian skin, post inflammatory hyperpigmentation deserves special attention. The skin may produce more melanin after acne, friction, sun exposure or procedures, so treatment plans should reduce inflammation rather than chase fast fading at all costs.
Singapore patients often live with high ultraviolet exposure all year, frequent heat exposure and high humidity. These environmental factors can worsen pigmentation and oiliness, especially when acne prone skin is already inflamed.
A measured plan that is prepared with a combination of skincare, and sometimes medications or therapies (as required) allows for better skin barrier support and acne control so that picolaser treatment can be delivered safely, with less avoidable irritation.
For hyperpigmentation prone patients, a key priority is to also avoid rebound darkening of dark spots.
What is post inflammatory hyperpigmentation?
Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or PIH, is pigment produced in response to inflammation or injury. Acne is the leading cause in Singapore, but eczema, insect bites, cuts, burns, aggressive scrubs and even previous laser or peel treatments can all leave PIH. Inflammation releases signalling molecules that push melanocytes into overdrive, and the excess melanin either stays in the epidermis, where marks look brown and clear faster, or drops deeper into the dermis, where marks look grey brown and linger far longer.
That depth distinction matters clinically. Epidermal PIH responds well to topicals and pigment laser. Dermal PIH is slower and needs realistic expectations, a theme we expand on in stubborn pigmentation in Asian skin.
The order of treatment matters. Active acne should be stabilised first, followed by skincare for pigmentation and, when needed, procedures such as lasers for more stubborn marks.
Why treating active acne comes first
Treating pigmentation while breakouts continue is like mopping the floor with the tap running. Every new inflamed pimple can mint a new mark, and some acne treatments themselves irritate skin enough to worsen PIH if not managed carefully.
A sensible sequence looks like this. Control the acne medically first, using the approaches on our acne treatment page and in our comprehensive guide to acne treatments. Protect the skin daily with sunscreen so existing marks stop darkening. Then clear the residual pigment with topicals and, where appropriate, pigment laser. Finally address any true scars with dedicated procedures from our scar treatments page.
How brown acne marks are treated in Singapore
Sunscreen, non negotiable
Ultraviolet light deepens PIH and stretches its lifespan. Daily broad spectrum sunscreen is the cheapest and most effective part of the whole plan. If texture puts you off sunscreen, this independent sunscreen review guide is a practical place to find one you will wear.
Topical treatment
Doctors combine ingredients that slow pigment production and speed cell turnover. Options include azelaic acid, which helps both acne and PIH, retinoids, vitamin C, niacinamide, alpha arbutin, cysteamine and supervised courses of hydroquinone. Guidance on lightening ingredients appears in this article on skincare for pigmentation and dark spots.
Pico laser can help selected acne marks, especially stubborn pigmentation. It is most useful when tailored to the type of mark and skin tone rather than used as a one size fits all treatment.
Pico laser for PIH
Once acne is controlled, Pico laser fragments the excess melanin in brown marks with ultra short pulses and minimal heat, a meaningful advantage in Asian skin where heat itself can provoke new pigment. Treatment is delivered over a spaced course, with marks fading progressively between sessions. Gentle settings matter, because over treating PIH can ironically create more PIH.
Chemical peels and adjuncts
Superficial chemical peels accelerate the turnover of pigmented cells and complement laser work, while brightening treatments such as PRX-Plus support overall tone.
Ingredients and treatments the evidence supports
Several options for brown marks are backed by solid evidence when acne is under control. Chemical peels are safe and effective for facial pigment, with glycolic acid the most established agent, and salicylic acid a useful choice for acne prone skin because it is oil loving and works within the pores. Stronger peels reach deeper but carry a higher risk of pigment rebound in darker skin, so they are used with caution. Among topical actives, tranexamic acid calms the inflammation and blood vessel activity that drive pigment, and it pairs well with niacinamide, which reduces the transfer of pigment into surface skin cells while supporting the barrier. Combining a lightening ingredient with careful sun protection consistently outperforms relying on any single product.
Red acne marks are a different problem
Red or pink marks, sometimes called post inflammatory erythema or PIE, are about blood vessels rather than melanin. A pigment laser aimed at redness misses the target. Red marks fade as the vessels regress naturally, and persistent redness is treated with vascular approaches. Many patients have both red and brown marks at once, which is another reason assessment matters before booking any laser package.
Pico laser for acne marks
Post acne brown marks are due to post inflammatory hyperpigmentation after injury or trauma to the skin. Pico laser helps reduce these brown marks by fragmenting excess pigment within the skin. Pico laser can also be combined with other forms of hyperpigmentation treatment including chemical peels and radiofrequency microneedling.
Red acne marks, often called post inflammatory erythema, behave differently because they are linked to vascular change and healing inflammation. When redness is the main concern, vascular lasers or redness focused treatments may be more suitable than a hyperpigmentation laser.
Many patients have both brown and red marks. A doctor-led plan should separate the pigment component from the redness component to plan and counsel the patient about the appropriate course of treatments.
Pico laser for acne scars
Acne scars are structural changes in the dermis. They form when an inflammatory response (e.g., severe acne) destroys tissue and disrupts the delicate healing process, causing a net loss of the extracellular matrix and hence, a depressed scar.
Fractional pico laser resurfaces depressed or atrophic scars by stimulating dermal repair. However, deep scars often require a combination of subcision, fractional CO2 laser, RF microneedling and collagen biostimulators for more optimal outcomes.
Patients with active acne should stabilise inflammation before scar treatments begin. This reduces the chance of chasing old scars while new scars continue to form.
A diagnosis first, doctor led plan for pico laser treatments usually includes acne grading, scar typing, pigment assessment, treatment planning, aftercare and review.
In a randomised split-face trial, fractional picosecond 1064 nm laser matched fractional CO2 laser for atrophic acne-scar texture and volume, with no post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation on the picosecond side against 24 per cent on the CO2 side (Sirithanabadeekul et al., Dermatologic Surgery 2021; PubMed 32910030).
Fractional picosecond modes deliver energy in a grid of microscopic zones that stimulate collagen remodelling beneath the surface. This can soften shallow rolling and boxcar scars and improve overall texture over a course of sessions. Deeper ice pick scars and tethered scars need additional techniques such as subcision or stronger resurfacing. Our dedicated article on Pico laser for acne scars and acne marks sets out where it fits, and our comparison of Pico laser vs Q-switched laser vs IPL vs chemical peel explains the alternatives.
In Asian skin I let the endpoints I see during treatment and the patient’s skin colour guide my energy, and I would always rather go slow. Chasing fast clearance is how pigment treatment causes fresh pigment, so patience protects the result.
Preventing new acne marks starts with controlling active acne early. Consistent treatment, avoiding picking and daily sun protection help reduce the risk of lingering post acne pigmentation.
How long does PIH take to fade?
Untreated epidermal PIH commonly fades over months, while dermal PIH can persist for years. Treatment shortens this course substantially, but the honest variables are the depth of the pigment, your skin tone, how well sun exposure is controlled and whether new breakouts keep seeding new marks. Expect progressive lightening across a treatment course rather than a single dramatic reveal, a rhythm described in our Pico laser results timeline article. Aftercare between sessions, covered in our Pico laser aftercare guide, protects each increment of progress.
Preventing new marks while you clear old ones
PIH prevention is mostly about denying inflammation its opening, and it is far cheaper than treatment.
Hands off is the first rule. Squeezing, picking and scratching convert a short lived pimple into a months long mark. If extraction is genuinely needed, it belongs in a clinic, not a mirror.
Treat breakouts early rather than heroically. A single dab of prescribed treatment on a new pimple beats a weekend of aggressive home remedies that inflame the surrounding skin. Harsh scrubs, high strength acids layered together and abrasive devices all trade short term smoothness for long term pigment in Asian skin.
Sunscreen daily, even indoors near windows, because ultraviolet exposure deepens every existing mark and extends its life. And keep your acne plan under review, since the most effective PIH strategy of all is skin that has stopped breaking out. Our comprehensive guide to acne treatments covers the medical options for getting there.
The life cycle of an acne mark
Understanding the natural arc helps you time treatment sensibly. A pimple resolves and leaves behind a red or pink patch as the local blood vessels wind down. In lighter skin that redness may simply fade over weeks. In Asian skin the inflammation has usually also switched on melanocytes, so as the redness settles a brown stain emerges beneath it, which is why marks often seem to change colour over their first weeks. The brown then fades on its own timetable, quickly if the pigment stayed epidermal and sun exposure is controlled, slowly across many months if pigment dropped deeper or the area keeps catching sun. Treatment at the brown stage shortens the tail dramatically, while treatment during the red stage targets vessels instead. Matching the tool to the stage, not just the mark, is what a doctor’s assessment adds.
What patients can expect from pico laser treatments
Results from pico laser treatments are usually progressive with continuous improvementover several months after a course of treatments.
Pico laser can improve selected brown acne marks, uneven tone and certain shallow atrophic acne scars. It does not replace acne medication for active breakouts, and it should not be expected to erase deep scars in one session.
When to consider pico laser for your skin
Pico laser may be considered when acne is reasonably controlled and residual brown marks, uneven tone or selected scar texture remain. It can also be considered when a patient wants a lower downtime approach and understands that results are usually built over a course of sessions.
A consultation is especially useful for patients with melasma, darker skin types, eczema, rosacea, recent tanning, a history of pigmentation after procedures or ongoing cystic acne. These factors do not always exclude treatment, but they change the way treatment should be planned.
When deep tethered scars, active nodules or red marks dominate the picture, other treatments may be placed before pico laser. This sequence protects the skin and improves the chance that each procedure is used for the right target.
Pico Laser Combination Treatments: What Each Combination Targets
| Combination | Primary target | How it helps | Typical interval |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pico laser + chemical peels | Brown acne marks, post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, dullness | Pico laser fragments excess pigment while chemical peels support surface renewal and tone refinement | Usually 2 to 4 weeks apart, depending on skin recovery |
| Pico laser + RF microneedling | Depressed acne scars, enlarged pores, uneven texture | Pico laser targets pigment and selected superficial texture while RF microneedling supports deeper collagen remodelling | Usually 4 to 6 weeks apart |
| Pico laser + vascular laser | Red acne marks, post inflammatory erythema, visible redness | Pico laser treats pigment while vascular laser targets redness and vascular change | Usually 4 to 6 weeks apart |
| Pico laser + PRX Plus | Uneven tone, dullness, texture and skin quality | Pico laser addresses pigment while PRX Plus supports skin renewal with low downtime | As advised after skin assessment |
| Pico laser + acne medical treatment | Active acne with post acne marks | Acne treatment reduces new breakouts while Pico laser addresses residual brown marks after inflammation is controlled | Acne control first, then laser timing as advised |
| Pico laser + topical pigment regulators | Melasma prone skin, recurrent pigmentation, PIH prone skin | Topical treatment helps reduce pigment activity so the laser course is less dependent on energy alone | Used before, during or after laser if suitable |
| Pico laser + sunscreen and barrier care | Pigmentation prone Asian skin | Reduces UV triggered darkening and supports safer recovery after laser | Daily, throughout the treatment course |
| Pico laser + fractional CO2 laser | Mixed acne scars with pigmentation and texture | Pico laser targets pigment while fractional CO2 laser resurfaces deeper textural scars when appropriate | Usually staged separately, based on downtime and skin type |
| Pico laser + skinboosters or collagen treatments | Skin quality, hydration, fine texture and acne scar support | Pico laser targets pigment and tone while injectable skin treatments support dermal quality | As advised after consultation |
What to ask your doctor about acne marks
- Are my marks pigment, redness, scars or a mixture, and in what proportion?
- Is my acne controlled enough to start treating the marks?
- Which topicals should I use between sessions, and which should I stop?
- How many Pico laser sessions does my pattern of PIH realistically need?
- What is the risk the laser itself causes pigmentation in my skin tone, and how will you minimise it?
- If I have both marks and scars, in what order will we treat them and what will the combined plan cost?
The Skin Longevity Clinic approach to pico laser treatments
In The Skin Longevity Clinic, pico laser is one of the interventions within a broader skin health plan. The goal is clearer, calmer and brighter skin while respecting barrier function, pigment behaviour and collagen repair.
Dr Rachel Ho assesses the pattern of acne, the type of hyperpigmentation, the type of scar and the patient’s tolerance for downtime before recommending treatment. This helps patients avoid generic packages that may not match the biology of their skin. Depending on the patient’s skin type and condition, they may benefit from pico laser treatments alone or a combination of other hyperpigmentation lightening treatments including chemical peels, PRX Plus and RF microneedling.
Frequently asked questions
Can pico laser be used to treat acne?
A common question is whether pico laser can be done while acne is still active. Dr Rachel Ho prefers to treat the acne concurrently together with the scars and marks, simply because each new pimple can create another dark spot or scar
How many sessions of pico laser treatments are required for results to be seen?
Some types of hyperpigmentation such as post inflammatory hyperpigmentation respond quickly with lightening of these dark spots seen after a single session of pico laser treatment. However, more complex and deeper types of dark spots like Hori’s nevus and melasma typically require a series of pico laser treatments, and sometimes, a combination of pigmentation lightening therapeutics.
Is it true that the stronger the laser, the better or faster the results of pico laser treatments?
Patients also ask whether stronger settings give faster results. In pigmentation prone skin, stronger energy can sometimes create more inflammation, so treatment strength should be judged against skin safety and not just speed.
How to prepare the skin for better consistency before and after pico laser treatments
Preparation usually begins with a simpler routine. A gentle cleanser, moisturiser and daily sunscreen create a more predictable skin environment before pigment or scar procedures.
For acne prone skin, prescription treatment or acne safe skincare may be needed before laser begins. Controlling comedones, papules and cystic inflammation can reduce the number of new marks that appear during the laser course.
For pigmentation prone skin, topical pigment regulators may be used when suitable. They can reduce melanocyte activity and make the laser course less dependent on energy alone.
Dr Rachel Ho explains that Pico laser is most useful when diagnosis, preparation and aftercare guide the treatment plan.
What is the difference between acne marks and acne scars?
Marks are flat colour changes, brown from pigment or red from vessels, and they respond to pigment or vascular treatment. Scars are texture changes from collagen damage and need remodelling treatments. Feel for flatness to tell them apart.
Should active acne be treated before acne marks?
Yes. Ongoing breakouts keep creating new marks, so acne control comes first, then pigment clearance, then scar work if needed.
Why do my acne marks last so long?
Usually a combination of darker skin tone, sun exposure without protection, continued breakouts and pigment that has dropped into the dermis. Each of these is addressable, which is why assessment beats guesswork.
Do acne marks fade on their own?
Brown epidermal marks generally do, over months, provided sun exposure is controlled and nothing re inflames the area. Deeper dermal PIH can linger for years. Treatment is about compressing that timeline rather than achieving something the skin could never do.
Does vitamin C help acne marks?
As a supporting player, yes. Vitamin C inhibits part of the pigment production pathway and pairs well with sunscreen by day. It works best alongside a structured plan rather than as a lone fix for established marks.
Can I cover marks with makeup during treatment?
Yes, outside the immediate post laser window. Non comedogenic formulas matter for acne prone skin, and thorough gentle removal at night matters even more. Concealer usage quietly declining is also one of the most honest progress markers you have.
Can PIH come back after treatment?
Cleared marks do not return by themselves, but new inflammation creates new marks. Keeping acne controlled and wearing sunscreen daily is what keeps skin clear long term.
Map your marks before treating them
If your cheeks carry a mix of brown marks, red patches and uneven texture, a single package will not fit all three. Book an assessment at The Skin Longevity Clinic near Orchard Road, and we will separate marks from scars, control what is active and sequence treatment so every session counts toward clearer skin. Our full framework is in the guide to pigmentation treatment in Singapore.
Dr Rachel Ho’s takeaway
For Pico laser Singapore for acne scars, acne marks and pigmentation, Pico laser can be useful when the skin problem has been correctly identified. The most consistent results come from treating acne, pigment and scars as related but separate problems.
Patients should look for a plan that explains the diagnosis, the sequence, the downtime and the limits of treatment. A clear plan is easier to follow, easier to adjust and safer for pigmentation prone skin.
References
- Reynolds RV, Yeung H, Cheng CE, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2024.
- Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2016.
- Oon HH, Wong SN, Aw DCW, et al. Acne Management Guidelines by the Dermatological Society of Singapore. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2019.
- Davis EC, Callender VD. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation: A review of the epidemiology, clinical features and treatment options in skin of color. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2010.
- Sangha AM. Dermatological conditions in skin of color: Managing post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2021.
- Fabbrocini G, Annunziata MC, D Arco V, et al. Acne scars: Pathogenesis, classification and treatment. Dermatology Research and Practice. 2010.
- Zhao Z, et al. Efficacy and safety of laser interventions for acne scars: A systematic review and network meta analysis. Frontiers in Medicine. 2022.
- Li J, et al. Fractional picosecond laser for atrophic acne scars: A meta analysis. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2023.
- Zhou Y, et al. Fractional picosecond laser treatment: Histology and clinical applications. Lasers in Medical Science. 2023.
- Alexis AF, Sergay AB, Taylor SC. Common dermatologic disorders in skin of color: A comparative practice survey. Cutis. 2007.
Related reading
- Pigmentation Treatment in Singapore for Asian Skin
- Pico Laser Singapore for Pigmentation
- Pico Laser Price in Singapore
- Melasma Treatment in Singapore
About Dr Rachel Ho
Dr Rachel Ho is an aesthetic physician with more than 16 years of clinical experience and the founder of The Skin Longevity Clinic near Orchard Road in Singapore. She graduated with an MBBS from the National University of Singapore and went on to complete a Master of Medicine, and she is certified by the Ministry of Health to perform lasers for pigmentation removal. She has treated over 2000 pigmentation cases, with extensive experience using both picosecond and Q-switched lasers in Asian and Caucasian skin. Alongside clinical practice she is active in education, media commentary and advisory work across beauty, skincare and aesthetic medicine. You can read more about Dr Rachel Ho or book a consultation.
References
- Reynolds RV, Yeung H, Cheng CE, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2024.
- Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2016.
- Oon HH, Wong SN, Aw DCW, et al. Acne Management Guidelines by the Dermatological Society of Singapore. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2019.
- Davis EC, Callender VD. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation: A review of the epidemiology, clinical features and treatment options in skin of color. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2010.
- Sangha AM. Dermatological conditions in skin of color: Managing post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2021.
- Fabbrocini G, Annunziata MC, D Arco V, et al. Acne scars: Pathogenesis, classification and treatment. Dermatology Research and Practice. 2010.
- Zhao Z, et al. Efficacy and safety of laser interventions for acne scars: A systematic review and network meta analysis. Frontiers in Medicine. 2022.
- Li J, et al. Fractional picosecond laser for atrophic acne scars: A meta analysis. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2023.
- Zhou Y, et al. Fractional picosecond laser treatment: Histology and clinical applications. Lasers in Medical Science. 2023.
- Alexis AF, Sergay AB, Taylor SC. Common dermatologic disorders in skin of color: A comparative practice survey. Cutis. 2007.
- StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation
- Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, a review of epidemiology, clinical features and treatment options in skin of color
- European Society of Laser in Dermatology, position statement on laser treatment of hyperpigmented lesions