Cortisol is a steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal glands - which sit on top of your kidneys. Cortisol helps regulate such events as exercise, blood sugar imbalances, and acute stress including inflammation.
Injectable cortisone is a synthetic product, but closely mimics your body's natural cortisol. Dermatologists and health care practitioners may use cortisone injections as an anti-inflammatory to provide fast acting relief of the swelling and pain associated with nodular and cystic acne. Cortisone is injected directly into the cyst(s) or nodule(s).
PROS : Reduces inflammation and speeds the healing process.
CONS: Pain, tissue atrophy and hypopigmentation. Injections may be painful, but a topical numbing agent can help alleviate the pain. The tissue at the site of injection can atrophy (breakdown) and leave a depression mark in the skin. Over the course of a few months, the skin may return to its normal, healthy state. The skin may hypopigment (discolor/turn white) at the injection sites (see above photo). Hypopigmentation is permanent and can occur in both dark and light skin.
To learn more about our Acne Program, or to schedule an Acne Treatment Consultation, please contact 916SKIN - Acne Clinic at (530) 680.2027.
