By: RS Abdi Waluyo

Overview

What Are Acne Injections?

Acne Injections are a minimally invasive dermatological treatment used to reduce inflammation and accelerate the healing of certain types of acne lesions. The treatment typically involves injecting a small amount of corticosteroid medication directly into an inflamed acne lesion, particularly large, painful, deep, or cystic lesions.

By delivering medication directly into the affected area, acne injections can help reduce inflammation, swelling, and discomfort more rapidly than topical treatments alone.

At RS Abdi Waluyo, Acne Injections are performed by experienced dermatologists following an assessment of the acne type, severity, and individual skin condition. The treatment is generally used for selected lesions and may be combined with other acne therapies as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Why Are Acne Injections Performed?

Your dermatologist may recommend an Acne Injection for selected acne lesions, particularly:

Large, inflamed acne cysts
Painful nodules
Deep inflammatory acne
Acne lesions that are slow to resolve
Inflamed lesions at risk of causing significant scarring
A single or limited number of particularly troublesome acne lesions

Acne injections are not usually intended to treat widespread acne. They are most useful for reducing inflammation in specific, severe lesions.

Early treatment of certain large inflammatory lesions may help reduce the duration of inflammation and potentially minimize the risk of permanent acne scarring.

Details of the Treatment

Acne Injection is a quick outpatient procedure and generally does not require hospitalization.

The treatment generally involves:

Assessment of the acne lesion
Cleansing of the skin
Injection of a small amount of medication directly into the lesion
Gentle cleaning of the area after treatment
Post-treatment skincare instructions

Because only a small amount of medication is injected directly into the targeted lesion, systemic exposure is generally limited.

What Happens During the Treatment?

Your treatment begins with an assessment by a dermatologist.

During the procedure:

The acne lesion is examined to determine whether an injection is appropriate.
The treatment area is cleansed.
A very fine needle is used to deliver a small amount of medication into the inflamed lesion.
The medication is carefully administered within the targeted lesion.
The area is cleaned after the injection.
Your dermatologist provides appropriate aftercare instructions.

The procedure generally takes only a few minutes.

You may feel a brief pinching or mild stinging during the injection.

What Should I Expect After the Treatment?

One of the main advantages of an Acne Injection is that the targeted lesion may improve relatively quickly.

Over the following days, you may notice:

Reduced swelling
Decreased redness
Less tenderness or pain
A reduction in the size of the acne lesion
Faster resolution of inflammation

The response varies depending on the size and severity of the lesion and your individual response to treatment.

Not every acne lesion requires an injection, and your dermatologist will determine which lesions are most appropriate for this approach.

What Are the Risks?

Acne Injections are generally well tolerated when performed by a qualified dermatologist using an appropriate technique. However, potential side effects include:

Temporary pain or tenderness
Redness
Minor swelling
Bruising
Skin thinning at the injection site
Temporary lightening or darkening of the skin
A small indentation or depression in the skin in rare cases

The risk of skin thinning or indentation may increase if corticosteroids are injected too deeply, at excessive concentrations, or too frequently.

For this reason, Acne Injections should only be performed by an appropriately trained medical professional.

When Will I See the Results?

Improvement may begin within 24–48 hours, with further reduction in inflammation over the following days.

The response depends on:

The size of the acne lesion
The degree of inflammation
The type and amount of medication used
The location of the lesion
Your individual response to treatment

Your dermatologist will assess the lesion and determine whether additional treatment is necessary.

Can Acne Injections Prevent Acne Scars?

Acne Injections may help reduce the duration and severity of inflammation in selected large inflammatory lesions. This may help reduce prolonged inflammation that can contribute to acne scarring.

However, Acne Injections cannot guarantee that scarring will be prevented.

The most effective approach to reducing acne scarring is comprehensive acne management, including early treatment of active acne and appropriate long-term skincare.

What Should I Do Before the Treatment?

Before your appointment:

Inform your dermatologist about medications and supplements you are taking.
Tell your doctor about any known allergies.
Inform your doctor about previous acne treatments.
Avoid squeezing, picking, or attempting to drain the acne lesion.
Follow any skincare instructions provided by your dermatologist.

Avoid attempting to inject or drain deep acne lesions yourself, as this can increase the risk of infection, inflammation, and scarring.

What Should I Do After the Treatment?

After an Acne Injection, you may be advised to:

Keep the treated area clean.
Avoid touching, squeezing, or picking the lesion.
Use gentle skincare products.
Apply sunscreen during the day.
Continue prescribed acne medications as directed.
Avoid irritating treatments on the injection site unless approved by your dermatologist.

Do not apply additional medication or perform aggressive exfoliation without professional advice.

Results and Follow-Up

Your dermatologist may recommend follow-up depending on the severity of your acne and your overall treatment plan.

During follow-up, your dermatologist may assess:

Response of the treated lesion
Development of new inflammatory lesions
Acne severity
Risk of scarring
Skin pigmentation changes
The need for additional acne treatment

Acne Injections are usually only one component of acne management. Depending on your condition, your dermatologist may recommend topical medications, oral medications, chemical peels, laser or light-based treatments, or other appropriate therapies.

When Should I Contact My Doctor?

Contact your dermatologist if you develop:

Increasing pain or swelling
Significant redness or warmth
Pus or other signs of infection
Significant skin discoloration
A noticeable indentation at the injection site
Persistent skin changes
Any unexpected or worsening reaction

Prompt evaluation can help manage potential complications appropriately.

Why Choose RS Abdi Waluyo for Acne Injections?

At RS Abdi Waluyo, acne treatment is guided by dermatological expertise and an individualized approach based on the type and severity of your acne.

Our Acne Injection service offers:

Experienced dermatologists trained in the assessment and treatment of inflammatory acne.
Individualized treatment based on the characteristics of each lesion.
Precise injection techniques for selected acne lesions.
Medical-grade facilities and appropriate safety protocols.
Comprehensive acne management, including treatment options for active acne and acne scarring.
Personalized follow-up and skincare guidance.

If you have a large, painful, or deep acne lesion that is not responding to your usual treatment, a consultation with a dermatologist can help determine whether an Acne Injection is appropriate. At RS Abdi Waluyo, our dermatology team can develop a treatment plan tailored to your skin condition and long-term skin health.