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Can Acne Corticosteroid Injections Cause Pitted Skin?

asked 3 years ago by amber1019 in Westchester, NY
Latest answer by Adam J. Mamelak, MD
Question viewed 12,833 times
Tags: acne, side effects

I received a corticosteroid injection in an acne cyst and now my skin is pitting in several areas around the injection site. Is this a common reaction? What steps can be taken to stop the pitting and correct the problem?

11 answers to Can Acne Corticosteroid Injections Cause Pitted Skin?

+2

Acne ScTreatment Treatment with Corticosteroid Shots

Acne cysts can be treated effectively with corticosteroid injections to reduce the inflammatory component of the cyst. This can reduce the inflammation and hasten resolution of the cyst. Triamcinolone injections can be injected in a variety of strengths. High concentration injections are often too aggressive and can not only cause resolution of the cyst but also atrophy of the surrounding tissue. Experience is key to successful management. By all means, always have a physician inject... more
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Treating Acne with Steroid Injections

Steroid injections are a common way of treating acne and acne cysts. One of the side effects of steroid injections is that they can leave a slight depression or pit in the skin. This depression is not usually permanent and typically resolves over time. However, this is a somewhat rare side effect especially with the typical dose of steroid used for acne treatments. It is much more common to get pitted scars from the acne itself, as opposed to the treatment.
Adam J. Mamelak, MD

Austin Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Treating Acne Lesions with Corticosteroid Injections

Corticosteroid injections into larger inflammatory acne lesions can be very helpful in reducing inflammation and allowing quicker resolution of the acne lesion. Corticosteroid injections can be done in different strengths; however, typically for acne lesions on the face, chest or back, we use the lowest strength, which is safe and still very effective. Occasionally, even when using the appropriate technique and strength, corticosteroid injections can leave a temporary slight... more
Channing R. Barnett, MD

New York Dermatologist
+1

Pitted acne scars

The most common reason for pitted acne scars is acne. However, one can see atrophy of skin after a steroid injection.
Gary Goldenberg, MD

New York Dermatologist
+1

Acne steroid injections infrequently may cause indentations on the skin

Acne steroid injections infrequently may cause indentations on the skin. I also agree with the other doctors that acne cysts themselves are the most common cause for an indentation on the skin, rather than the injection. If a depression does occur after a corticosteroid injection, they often resolve and fill in on their own with time. If a quicker resolution is desired, a hyaluronic acid filler may be injected in this area.
Leyda Elizabeth Bowes, MD

Miami Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Both acne cysts and steroid injections can cause depression in the skin

In your case it is not easy to say whether it was the acne cyst or injection that caused the depression. Deep, inflammed acne nodules that destroy underlying tissue commonly cause true scarring. Steroid injections sometimes cause atrophy or skin thinning/depression. Steroid atrophy is commonly accompained by skin lightening (hypopigmentation). If you see hypopigmentation, the cause is likely the injection. The good news is that steroid atrophy usually resolves in a matter of a few weeks to... more
Dina D. Strachan, MD

New York Dermatologist
+1

Yes, steroid injections can cause depressions

Coritcosteroid injections can cause depressions in the skin. This occurs due to what we call iatrogenic lipoatrophy, the fat cells are damaged by the steroid. Fortunately, fat cells do regenerate but this could take months, even 4-6 months. Patience is definitely a virtue here. It is said that message the area helps in the regeneration of fat cells. A filler or ft injection can be placed in the meantime while you are waiting for the area to return to normal. I recall a meeting... more
Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD

Virginia Beach Dermatologist
+1

Too much or too concentrated a solution of corticosteroid can cause atrophy

Too much or too concentrated a solution of corticosteroid can cause atrophy (pitting, scarring, depressions) in the skin or even the underlying fat or muscle if injected deeply. Often this will resolve on its own but may not. An injection of filler (Artefill may be perfect as it is permanent) may help fill in the pits if they do not improve on their own.
Lorrie Klein, MD

Laguna Niguel Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Corticosteroid injections can cause depressions and/or thinning of the skin

If a little too much corticosteroid is injected or if the skin is very sensitive, it can cause a depression and/or thinning of the skin. If these depressions appear, they usually improve anywhere between 3-6 months.
Usha Rajagopal, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Correctly-dosed Cortisone shots rarely cause problems. Acne cysts can and often do leave scars.

Acne cysts can leave a depression on their own when they finally resolve. The longer the cyst is there, then the greater the chance of a depression. Most dermatologists inject the cyst with a diluted cortisone such as kenalog 2.5mg/cc and inject just a drop which is all that is needed. It is rare for the cortisone to cause a depression or pit at that dose. The sooner you get a big cyst injected then the less chance you have of getting a pit. Fortunately, at least 80% of pits or... more
David Hansen, MD

Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Fat atrophy

Greetings Amber, While I can not speak directly to what you are experiencing without an examination, I can say that one side effect of certain steroid injections is atrophy or withering of the fat under the skin. This could result in apparent pitting of the skin. Generally though when steroids are used for acne scarring this is not much of a problem.
D.J. Verret, MD

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

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