Maribel C Sanchez Meza
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is a common sequela of second-degree burns and may result in persistent discoloration after complete wound healing. This case report describes a 65-year-old woman who developed persistent hyperpigmentation of the abdominal skin following a friction-induced second-degree burn associated with prolonged use of a compression garment. Despite complete wound healing and subsequent abdominoplasty, residual hyperpigmentation persisted. A more specific classification of the original burn as superficial or deep partial-thickness was not documented at the time of injury. Clinical examination revealed hyperchromia and uneven pigmentation localized to the previously injured area, clinically consistent with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The diagnosis was based on the clinical history and examination; no dermoscopy, Wood's lamp examination, biopsy, or other confirmatory diagnostic assessment was performed. The patient was treated using the NewMelan depigmentation protocol, a multimodal approach intended to target pathways involved in melanogenesis and epidermal turnover. At approximately one month of follow-up, a visually apparent reduction in pigmentation intensity and improvement in skin tone uniformity were observed on clinical examination and serial photographs. No objective pigmentation measurement or validated scar assessment scale was used, and the photographs were not obtained using a fully standardized photographic protocol. No treatment-related adverse effects or complications were reported during the documented one-month observation period. This case describes clinical improvement in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation observed following the use of a multimodal depigmentation protocol. Because this is a single uncontrolled case with subjective outcome assessment and short-term follow-up, treatment efficacy, causality, and long-term safety cannot be established. Further studies using objective pigmentation measurements, standardized photographic assessment, comparator groups, and longer follow-up are needed.