Cortisone Acne Injections in Singapore: Quick Relief for Cystic Acne

Cortisone shots, by nature, reduce inflammation. This is why they only work on cystic acne and other inflammatory blemishes.

Cortisone shots can be used to treat cystic acne on the face and body.

Cortisone injections do not work on non-cystic acne such as pimples, papules, and comedones.

Cortisone reduces the inflammation of your acne but does not remove the pus. This is why the doctor may drain the pus from your acne before a cortisone acne injection.

Cortisone injections also cannot PREVENT new acne from forming. It is not meant as a regular acne treatment, but rather, should be used to shrink large zits fast in an “emergency”. To prevent further acne from forming, an effective acne prevention and treatment plan should be prescribed by the doctor during a consultation. This may include a combination of diet and lifestyle changes, topical retinoids, chemical peels, lasers, and even medications.

The ideal time to get a cortisone injection is as early as possible, preferably within the first three days of the deep cystic pimple forming. This helps prevent the pimple from growing larger due to inflammation, which significantly lowers the risk of permanent acne scarring.

Even if your cystic breakout has persisted for more than three days, an acne steroid shot remains highly effective. While older, established acne nodules may take slightly longer to shrink, a targeted cortisone injection will still calm the underlying inflammation, speed up skin recovery, and help smooth your complexion.

Unlike topical spot creams or oral antibiotics that can take weeks to work, you may see results in just hours with a cortisone acne injection. It rapidly softens swelling and flattens stubborn blind pimples within 12 to 24 hours, making it an ideal emergency solution before major social events.

In addition to rapid visible improvement, the steroid injection quickly constricts swollen blood vessels within the cyst wall, helping to relieve intense throbbing, pressure, and facial tenderness within hours. More importantly, by stopping deep-seated inflammation early, cortisone injections help protect underlying collagen and reduce the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and pitted acne scarring.

You are an ideal candidate for cortisone injections if you have a deep, painful, inflamed cystic pimple or blind bump beneath the skin. Treatment is most effective when done early, preferably within the first three days, as this helps reduce swelling more quickly and lowers the risk of permanent acne scarring.

Cortisone injections are not suitable for non-inflamed surface blemishes such as blackheads, whiteheads, or shallow pimples. Treating non-cystic lesions offers no benefit and may increase the risk of temporary skin indentation. Our doctor will assess your breakout during consultation to ensure the treatment is safe and appropriate for your condition.

Cortisone acne injections generally don’t cause scarring when done correctly by a trained doctor. In fact, they’re often used to help prevent scarring by quickly calming down inflamed cystic acne.

That said, if too much is injected or placed too superficially, there can be temporary side effects like slight skin thinning, dimpling, or lightening of the skin. These are usually uncommon and tend to improve over time.