Intralesional Steroid Injections
"Steroid injections are the best ‘quick-fix’ treatments for large, cystic acne spots"
Dr. Ophelia Veraitch, Consultant Dermatologist
Book your TreatmentIntralesional Steroid Injections
Quick Stats
Used to Treat
Acne, scarring and alopecia
Downtime
None. Return to activities immediately.
Anaesthetic
None
Results Last
Semi-permanent
Areas Treated
Any
Procedure Time
20-30mins
Why steroid injections?
Steroid injections can be used to treat a variety of skin conditions. At Dr Ophelia’s clinic steroid injections are administered to treat inflammation associated with cystic acne, keloid (thickened) scars and certain skin conditions and types of alopecia.
What are steroid injections and how do they work?
Steroid injections, also known as corticosteroid injections, are a medical treatment in which synthetic forms of corticosteroid hormones are injected directly into a specific area of the body. These injections are commonly used to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune response, to provide relief from various medical conditions, specifically skin conditions in this case.
Steroid injections are often used when oral or topical corticosteroid medications are not effective or have unwanted side effects.
For your skin concerns
- Severe and cystic acne
- Keloids and hypertrophic scarring
- Alopecia
What types of acne can steroid injections treat?
Steroid injections are most often used for the types of acne that cause painful lumps beneath the surface of the skin (nodules and cysts). These conditions can take weeks to resolve on their own. After steroid injections, the lumps flatten, and the skin can clear up within two to four days. Steroid injections are typically used as a temporary or occasional fix for stubborn cysts and nodules, as opposed to widespread acne because of the possible side effects and the need for frequent doctor visits.
Book your TreatmentYour Questions Answered
What happens during the treatment?
Before starting treatment, the area to be treated is cleaned thoroughly with an antiseptic to minimise the risk of infection. If necessary, a local anaesthetic might be applied to numb the area or you may be given a pain-relieving injection.
Next, using a fine needle, the corticosteroid medication is injected directly into the targeted areas. The injection delivers a concentrated dose of the medication, which helps to quickly reduce inflammation and promote healing.
When will I see results?
The time it takes to see results from steroid injections for skin conditions varies depending on the specific condition being treated, the severity of the condition, and how your body responds to the treatment.
For keloids and hypertrophic scars, steroid injections can help flatten and soften raised scars over time. You might start to see visible improvement in the appearance of the scar within several weeks to a few months after the injection.
In cases of alopecia, where steroid injections are used to stimulate hair regrowth in localised areas, you might start to see hair regrowth within a few weeks to a few months after the injections. Keep in mind that hair growth is a slow process, and it may take some time to achieve noticeable results.
For acne, in many cases, patients experience rapid relief from the pain and swelling associated with the inflamed acne lesion. Lumps can flatten and resolve within 2 to 4 days.
What is the downtime?
The downtime for treatment is minimal and you can return to normal activities immediately. As with any injection, you may experience some localised swelling, redness or discomfort, but it should resolve within 24 hours.
How many treatments will I need?
1-3 treatments are usually needed, depending on the condition being treated.
Why visit Dr. Ophelia for your steroid injections?
Dr. Ophelia Veraitch is an award-winning and highly respected Consultant Dermatologist. Specialising in a wide variety of hair and skin conditions, Dr. Veraitch works with every patient individually, working to truly understand the issue at hand, the products and regime a client utilises plus the mental and physical impact this condition has on their daily life. Following a detailed assessment, Dr. Veraitch expertly develops a personalised treatment plan which will help produce results, and ultimately change every one of her patient’s lives for the better.
What are my next steps?
Book an appointment for your treatment with Dr. Ophelia. Click the link below to start the process.
Book your TreatmentSteroid Injection Prices
1 Treatment
£TBC