Atrophy after cortisone injection - Are there any options? (photo)

Question

I had a cortisone injection for a large acne cyst at the end of June and developed atrophy essentially between my eyebrows. I am absolutely devastated as I have my wedding coming up in a few weeks. I had one consult for filler however they said this area was too risky for filler. Are there any options? Or am I just stuck with waiting and praying this fills in

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

Although the glabella region is considered a potential danger zone for the injection, it certainly can and is treated routinely with fillers by experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologists and other core aesthetic physicians. I personally have been injecting this area with fillers for more than three decades going back to the days of the original collagen filler, Zyderm I. So, it certainly can and is still routinely performed. That being said, a typical first line treatment for post steroid injection atrophy is to use saline injections of the region +/- the use of subcision to mechanically promote new collagen and new elastic fiber synthesis in the region. (It must be understood that a prolonged inflamed cyst in any region will destroy the natural supportive collagen and elastic fiber, so that when the steroid shot is given and suppresses the inflammation, the area can sink--not necessarily because of the injection itself, but because the supportive tissue was already damaged and thinned out by the preceding inflammatory process.)  Hope this helps and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.

Sonam Yadav, MBBS, MSc - Account Suspended · Answer

Please see a doctor for prescription of topicals to help the atrophy and resurfacing along with a superficial small dose of dermal filler into the area. Make up will have to do, if filler cannot be done.

Atrophy after cortisone injection - Are there any options? (photo)

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Atrophy after cortisone injection - Are there any options? (photo)

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