Cortisone Injection
A cortisone injection delivers a diluted corticosteroid directly into an inflamed lesion — typically an acne cyst, nodule or hypertrophic scar — to rapidly reduce swelling and redness. Available at IVI Medical Clinic Singapore from MOH-licensed doctors.
How it calms a lesion.
A cortisone injection delivers a diluted corticosteroid directly into an inflamed lesion, suppressing the local prostaglandins and cytokines that drive swelling, redness and pain. It acts only where it’s placed — at the small doses used it doesn’t affect the rest of the body.
It’s used for cystic acne and nodules (which often flatten within 24–72 hours — far faster than oral or topical options), raised hypertrophic scars, and other localised inflammatory skin conditions. Raised scars usually need repeated sessions for progressive flattening.
What to expect in a session.
The area is cleaned and a small volume of diluted corticosteroid is injected into the lesion with a fine needle. It takes about five to ten minutes with minimal discomfort, and no numbing cream is usually needed for small lesions.
Your doctor selects the concentration to match each lesion, keeping the dose precise.
Cortisone Injection FAQ
How quickly does a cortisone injection work for acne?
For acute acne cysts and nodules, a cortisone injection typically produces visible flattening within 24 to 72 hours. The inflamed lesion reduces in size and redness noticeably faster than with topical or oral treatments alone. This makes it useful as an acute intervention when a stubborn lesion needs rapid resolution.
Is a cortisone injection the same as a steroid injection?
Cortisone is a type of corticosteroid, so yes — a cortisone injection is a type of steroid injection. However, the term "steroid injection" in a sports medicine context usually refers to higher-dose injections into joints or tendons. Intralesional cortisone injections for skin conditions use a much smaller volume and concentration targeted locally at a specific lesion.
How many cortisone injections do I need?
For a single acute acne cyst, typically one injection is sufficient. For hypertrophic scars, two to three sessions spaced four to six weeks apart may be needed for progressive flattening. For alopecia areata, a course of sessions is usually recommended. Your doctor will assess your response after each session.
Are there any side effects of cortisone injections?
The main localised side effects are temporary skin thinning (atrophy) and skin lightening (hypopigmentation) at the injection site, which are more likely with too high a concentration or too superficial an injection. When administered correctly by an experienced doctor, these risks are low. Both effects are usually temporary and resolve over months.
Can I get a cortisone injection for a keloid scar?
Yes. Cortisone injections are a first-line treatment for keloid scars, though keloids require a different approach from simple hypertrophic scars — typically a series of intralesional injections spaced four to six weeks apart. See our dedicated Keloid Injection page for more information on the specific treatment approach.
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