Post-Inflammatory Erythema: The Red Marks Acne Leaves Behind
26 May 2026 10 min read 254 views 0
PIE is flat vascular redness left after inflammation, distinct from pigment-based PIH, and needs calming, not brightening, treatment.
Key takeaways
- PIE is caused by dilated surface blood vessels, not excess pigment like PIH.
- The blanch test — pressing a mark to see if it pales — helps tell PIE and PIH apart at home.
- Pigment-fading products do little for PIE; calming, barrier-focused care works better.
- Stubborn PIE responds best to professional vascular laser treatment like pulsed dye laser.
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