Acne Treatment: Q&A
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Can Acne Corticosteroid Injections Cause Pitted Skin?
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?
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13 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
amber1019
in Westchester, NY
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Corticosteroid Injections Helpful for Acne
Corticosteroids can be injected directly into acne lesions, in order to decrease the inflammation present in the acne. The result, in most cases, is that acne bumps flatten within 24-48 hours. Most dermatologists use a very dilute concentration of a corticosteroid medication called triamcinolone for this injection. In rare cases, particularly when higher concentrations of triamcinolone are used for the injections, this treatment can cause atrophy (pitting) of the skin....
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Acne and cortisone injections
Cortison injections are a common treatment for acne cysts. It is possible to develop a temporary depression in the area that fills in with time. If the cyst is not treated, it can cause a permanent depression so the injection is advisable.
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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.
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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...
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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...
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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.
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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...
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Pitted acne scars
The most common reason for pitted acne scars is acne. However, one can see atrophy of skin after a steroid injection.
New York Dermatologist
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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.
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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...
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