Advances in the research of clinical treatment of hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation after burns

Hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation are complications commonly seen in burn patients after wound healing, which may have seriously adverse impact on the appearances of the patients. The change of skin color in the exposed areas such as the face and hands may cause great psychological burden on the patients. While the occurrence and development mechanisms of hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation post burns are unclear, it is generally believed to be associated with excess or deficiency of melanin content in the epidermis. Therefore, the therapeutic strategies of hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation are as follows: the former focuses on inhibiting the synthesis of melanin and reducing the content of melanin in the skin, while the latter can restore the normal skin color by improving the function of melanocytes to promote the synthesis of melanin. In recent years, the therapeutic technologies for abnormal melanin metabolism after burns have developed rapidly. In this paper, treatment strategies commonly used in clinical practice are summarized in terms of photoelectric therapies, drugs, and operations, aiming to provide references for the treatment of patients who suffer abnormal pigmentation after burns.