Acne Injections: A Fast Solution for Stubborn Pimples
When dealing with a large, painful, and inflamed pimple that just won’t go away, you might feel frustrated. For this type of stubborn acne, a treatment known as an acne injection, or a cortisone shot, can offer a quick and effective solution. This procedure is designed to rapidly reduce inflammation, flatten the blemish, and minimize the risk of scarring.
Here’s everything you need to know about this dermatological treatment.
What Exactly Are Acne Injections?
An acne injection is a procedure where a diluted corticosteroid, most commonly triamcinolone, is injected directly into a large, severe acne lesion. It's important to understand that this is not a treatment for all types of acne. It is specifically reserved for highly inflamed blemishes like:
- Cystic Acne: Large, deep, painful, and pus-filled pimples under the skin.
- Nodular Acne: Hard, painful lumps deep within the skin.
The corticosteroid works due to its powerful anti-inflammatory properties. By injecting it directly into the pimple, it rapidly calms the inflammation, reducing the swelling, redness, and pain associated with these severe breakouts.
Who Is the Ideal Candidate?
This treatment is not a first-line defense against common acne. It is best suited for individuals who experience occasional, severe, and painful cystic or nodular acne. A dermatologist will recommend this procedure for pimples that are causing significant discomfort or have a high risk of leaving a permanent scar.
Acne injections are not suitable for treating:
- Blackheads
- Whiteheads
- Small, non-inflamed pimples (papules or pustules)
The Procedure: What Happens During the Appointment?
The process of getting an acne injection is quick, straightforward, and performed by a dermatologist in a clinical setting.
- Cleansing: The doctor will first clean the skin around the pimple with rubbing alcohol to disinfect the area.
- Injection: Using a very fine needle (a microneedle), the doctor will inject a tiny amount of the diluted corticosteroid solution directly into the center of the acne lesion.
- Completion: The entire process takes only a few seconds per pimple. Patients typically feel a quick pinch or a slight stinging sensation as the needle enters the skin.
Aftercare and Expected Results
One of the biggest advantages of acne injections is the speed of the results.
- Within 24 to 48 hours, you should notice a significant improvement. The pimple will begin to soften, flatten, and become much less red and painful.
- Within a week, the blemish should be mostly or completely healed.
After the procedure, it is crucial to avoid touching, squeezing, or picking at the treated area to allow it to heal properly and prevent scarring.
Understanding the Potential Risks and Side Effects
When performed by a qualified and experienced dermatologist, acne injections are generally very safe. However, like any medical procedure, there are potential side effects, although they are uncommon.
- Skin Pitting or Depression: A small indentation or divot can form at the injection site due to localized fat atrophy (a breakdown of fat cells). In most cases, this is temporary and the skin fills back in over several months. Using a highly diluted corticosteroid minimizes this risk.
- Hypopigmentation: The skin at the injection site may become lighter than the surrounding skin. This is more common in individuals with darker skin tones and can be temporary or, in rare cases, permanent.
- Pain and Bruising: Minor pain, redness, or bruising at the injection site can occur but usually resolves quickly.
Systemic side effects from the corticosteroid are extremely rare because the dosage used is very low and localized.
A Final Word of Advice
Acne injections are a highly effective "spot treatment" for severe, painful pimples, offering rapid relief and preventing potential scarring. However, it is a treatment for an individual symptom, not a cure for the underlying cause of acne.
If you struggle with persistent or severe acne, it is essential to consult a board-certified dermatologist. They can properly diagnose your skin condition and create a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses the root cause of your acne, which may include topical treatments, oral medications, and a suitable skincare routine.
