Can Acne Corticosteroid Injections Cause Pitted Skin?

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.