If you’ve ever dealt with acne, chances are you’ve noticed those stubborn red marks that stick around long after the breakouts are gone. That redness is called PIE—Post-Inflammatory Erythema, and it’s different from scarring or pigmentation. PIE shows up as pink, red, or purplish spots where your skin was inflamed. It’s not textural like a scar, and it’s not brown like hyperpigmentation. It’s simply your body reacting to inflammation with blood vessel dilation—and for some, that response sticks around far too long.
PIE is especially common in:
- People with lighter skin tones (Fitzpatrick I–III)
- Those with sensitive skin or inflammatory acne
- Individuals who pick at pimples or use harsh skincare
The good news? You don’t have to wait years for the redness to fade. There are effective, science-backed treatments that can clear PIE safely and quickly.
How Is PIE Different From PIH?
It’s easy to mix up PIE and PIH. While both leave marks after acne, here’s the key difference:
- PIH (Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation) looks brown or dark, and it’s caused by melanin overproduction.
- PIE looks red or purple and is caused by damaged or dilated capillaries in the skin.
Knowing which one you have is essential—because the treatments are completely different.
Why Excel V Laser Is the Best for PIE
Treating PIE effectively means addressing those broken or enlarged blood vessels beneath your skin’s surface. That’s where the Excel V laser comes in. At Qazi Cosmetic Center, Excel V is our go-to solution for PIE—and here’s why it works:
How It Works:
Excel V uses targeted laser energy to penetrate the skin and shrink abnormal blood vessels, reducing redness from the inside out without harming the surrounding tissue.
Benefits:
- Targets red and vascular lesions without damaging healthy skin
- Quick treatment sessions (usually under 30 minutes)
- No downtime or extended recovery
- Safe for sensitive skin
Ideal Candidates:
- Patients with lingering redness from acne
- People with fair to medium skin tones
- Anyone frustrated with persistent pink or red marks that don’t respond to skincare
What to Expect:
- Slight warmth or tingling during treatment
- Some redness or minor swelling right after (this fades in hours)
- Results appear gradually over 2–4 weeks, with continued improvement
When Should You Treat PIE?
There’s a misconception that you have to wait for redness to fade naturally. That could take 6 months to over a year, and for many people, it never fully resolves. If your acne is under control but the redness remains, it’s time to take action.
You should consider treatment if:
- The redness has lingered for over 2 months
- Your skin feels even-toned in texture, but still looks blotchy
- You want a faster, more reliable solution than topical creams
Lifestyle Tips to Improve PIE Results
While Excel V is a powerful tool, you can also support your skin by avoiding triggers that make PIE worse:
- Skip harsh scrubs or exfoliants that irritate the skin
- Protect your skin from the sun (yes, even on cloudy days)
- Use calming ingredients like niacinamide and azelaic acid
- Avoid picking or squeezing breakouts—it damages blood vessels
What About Cost?
At Qazi Cosmetic Center, Excel V pricing depends on the number of treatment areas and sessions required. Most patients need 1–3 treatments spaced a few weeks apart. A personalized quote is provided during your consultation.
We offer flexible financing plans through:
- Cherry
- CareCredit
- Alpheon
- Affirm
We want great skin to be accessible—without financial stress.
Virtual Consultations and Out-of-State Patients
If you're not local to Orange County, we’ve made it easy to still get treated by Dr. Qazi. Many of our patients fly in just for this treatment and return home the same day.
- Book a virtual consultation here -Â no need to call.
- We’re located just 5 minutes from John Wayne Airport.
- Airport staff is familiar with our patients and ensures a smooth, easy experience.
This is skincare made efficient—and travel-friendly.
Why Qazi Cosmetic Center?
Patients choose Qazi Cosmetic Center not just because of our cutting-edge technology—but because we genuinely care. We specialize in custom, patient-centered plans that don’t involve guesswork.
Whether you’re dealing with acne scars, PIE, or other skin concerns, our team combines medical precision with an artistic eye, giving you results that feel natural and empowering.
Call us at (949)-336-7293 or click here to self-schedule a consultation to get started.
TLDR – Here’s What You Need To Know About PIE:
- PIE stands for Post-Inflammatory Erythema, a common red discoloration after acne
- It’s caused by damaged blood vessels, not pigment
- Excel V laser is the most effective, non-invasive treatment
- Virtual consultations and same-day travel are available for out-of-state patients
- Financing is available via Cherry, Affirm, CareCredit, and Alpheon
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to wait for your skin to “figure it out” on its own. PIE can be stubborn, frustrating, and incredibly common—but it’s very treatable with the right technology and expert guidance. At Qazi Cosmetic Center, we help patients get clear, even-toned skin safely and efficiently.
You’ve waited long enough for that redness to fade. Let us help you speed things up—with real solutions and real care. Click here to self-schedule a consultation.
Orange County, CA
Call: (949)-336-7293
doctorqazi.com
