Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is an acquired hypermelanosis

occurring after cutaneous inflammation or injury that can arise in all skin types, but
more frequently affects skin-of-color patients, including African Americans,
Hispanics/Latinos, Asians, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and those of Middle
Eastern descent. It results from the overproduction of melanin or an irregular
dispersion of pigment after cutaneous inflammation (Davis & Callender, 2010).

Zawar, V.P., Agarwal, M., & Vasudevan, B. (2015) stated acne is probably the
most common cause of PIH in a skin of color. Management of long-lasting PIH due
to acne is a psychological and cosmetic morbidity and it remains a challenge,
especially in dark-skinned individuals. Although many treatment options are
available for PIH, it takes months for PIH to resolve, even with an adequate therapy.

Hyperpigmentation of the skin is a common problem in middle aged and elderly people. It is caused due to
overproduction of melanin pigment, which is responsible for the color of hair and skin in humans. The
overproduction of melanin may be due to the chronic exposure to sun, melasma, or other hyper pigmentation
diseases. Tyrosinase is the key enzyme in melanin production (Rauniyar et.al, 2014). Post inflammatory
hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a common sequela after acne especially in dark-skinned patients. Management of
long-lasting PIH due to acne is a psychological and cosmetic morbidity and it
remains a challenge. Many treatment options are available for PIH, however it takes
months for PIH to resolve, even with an adequate therapy (Zawar, Agarwal, &
Vasudevan, 2015).

The most common skin lightening and depigmentation agents available commercially are kojic acid,

arbutin, catechins, hydroquinone and azelaic acid. Some adverse effects of these synthetic compounds are

irreversible cutaneous damage, ochronosis etc. These adverse effects have led to the search for safer plant based skin

lightening ingredients. (Balakrishnan, 2011)