What Is A Cortisone Injection And How It Can Change Your Life

Dealing with cystic acne or alopecia? You might have tried over-the-counter medications, but nothing seems to be working. Thankfully, there are treatments available to provide relief for these conditions. A treatment that’s been rising in popularity is cortisone injections. Generally used to provide pain relief for medical inflammatory conditions and arthritis, cortisone shots are also effective at managing cosmetic issues too.

Whether a lifestyle change, taking pills or exercise work for you or not, cortisone injections could be the answer you’ve been looking for. We want to help you make the right choice and be informed about whether cortisone injections are something you want to consider.

What is Cortisone?

Cortisone injections are shots of cortisone, which is a type of corticosteroid. Corticosteroids are a type of steroid hormone naturally produced by the adrenal gland in the human body that helps to regulate various bodily functions.

Corticosteroid medicines include cortisone, hydrocortisone and prednisone are a synthetic form of the hormone and are useful in treating keloid scarring, alopecia areata and a variety of other conditions.

What is a Cortisone Injection?

Like with most injections, the cortisone injection administers medication directly to the area that needs relief.

Going straight to the source of the condition, the cortisone shot is a combination of synthetic cortisone and local anaesthetic that packs a punch when it comes to pain relief of discomfort. Usually given at a doctor’s office, GP or health clinic, the injection takes only a few minutes to carry out.

With the cortisone injection treatment, the treatment is a quick and easy process that’ll have you in and out of the doctor’s office in no time at all. So whether you’re suffering from arthritis or any other inflammation, a cortisone shot is a useful treatment for pain management and relief.

How Can a Cortisone Shot Help With Different Conditions?

Potentially life-changing, cortisone shots can be a fast, effective and easy solution for many skin conditions — reduce the pain of cystic acne, and manage psoriasis and eczema with cortisone.

Alopecia Areata

If you’re suffering from alopecia areata, you’ll know how stressful it is to manage sudden hair loss. Alopecia is an autoimmune disorder where hair loss occurs in patches and takes place unpredictably. There’s no clear cause as to why it happens but researchers say the cause is generally genetic and environmental. Sadly, there’s no cure. However, a series of cortisone shots injected into the scalp stops the immune system from attacking the hair follicles.

Cystic Acne

When it comes to cystic acne, the inflammation lies under the skin and is often painful. The cortisone injection contains triamcinolone which leads to a rapid resolution of the acne. The powerful anti-inflammatory is injected directly into the cyst or nodule allowing it to reduce swelling and redness within a few days.

Keloid Scarring

Keloids are raised, red nodules that appear after an injury to the skin. When a wound is healed, skin cells and connective tissue cells continue to multiply afterwards. This leads to the formation of mounds and bumpy scar tissue forming anywhere on the body. Keloids cosmetically unsightly and considered to be benign tumors — the good news is that they never become cancerous.

With several injections of cortisone, keloids can become smaller and flatten down within 3-6 months.

Cortisone shots are a great way to handle manage different types of cosmetic problems so it’s worth looking into them if you’re suffering from any of the above or anything else that’s treatable with cortisone.

What to Expect During a Cortisone Injection

If you’re seriously considering the cortisone injection, it’s important for you to know how it works and what’s involved. Below, we’ve outlined a step-by-step process of what you can expect if you decide to go through with the shot.

1.   Preparation

Prior to the injection, you’ll be met with the doctor who will clean up the area with some antiseptic to meet health and safety standards. A local anaesthetic might also be used to numb the area and make the shot more comfortable for you. You’ll be asked to relax for a short while to make sure you don’t experience any side effects from the anaesthetic.

2.   The Procedure

Once you’re ready, the injection will be inserted into the affected area. You may experience a pinching sensation or a sharp scratch. The injection will be removed and the area of insertion will be cleaned and bandaged.

3.   Aftercare

After the injection, you’ll be asked to move around to spread the cortisone. We also ask you to wait for 30 minutes to check if there are any immediate side effects or allergic reactions.

The process of getting a cortisone injection is pretty straightforward and you’ll be able to resume your activities as soon as possible.

Glow Up With Cortisone

Cortisone shots are proven to be a safe and responsive treatment option for a range of cosmetic concerns including cystic acne, keloid scarring, alopecia areata and more. Keep in mind that these injections should only be performed by a licensed medical professional and under the supervision of a board-certified doctor.

Consulting with a doctor before receiving any cosmetic treatment is absolutely essential to ensuring if it’s right for you — cortisone treatment also requires a doctor’s approval before you can proceed. This allows your doctor to guide you through the potential side effects of the treatment and provide follow-up aftercare and recovery to ensure your needs are delivered.

If you are considering cortisone injections for cosmetic purposes, the Glow Aesthetic Center in Encino is the perfect place to receive treatment. With expert medical staff and state-of-the-art facilities, you’ll receive the best care possible. We’ll work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your unique needs and goals. Book an appointment with our Encino office for more information or to get started with cortisone injection treatment.