There is nothing quite like waking to the sight of volcanic-looking zit on your face. It’s bulging; it’s red; and it stings at the slightest touch. Nasty. Sure, there is a lack of big parties and events to go to, but the temptation to squeeze this giant sucker is still real because no one wants to head outside with such a spot. Of course, we know better than to poke and prod it in fear of scarring — but what other options are there? An extreme answer arrives in the form of acne cortisone injections – miracle shots that can, surprisingly, bring down a zit in a matter of hours. The lowdown, below.

What is a cortisone injection?
The shot consists of a diluted steroid that helps to reduce the inflammation of pimples — especially cystic ones within a day or two. It is known to reduce the likelihood of scarring as well. Many celebrities in Hollywood are known to receive this treatment days or hours prior to a large-scale event such as the Met Gala or an awards ceremony.

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Sign me up. What should I do before getting a shot?
An extensive background check on your dermatologist of choice is key — the procedure is simple and quick, but you do want to be taken care of by a doctor with significant amounts of experience to keep bruising to the minimum. Speaking of, do avoid consuming alcohol and pain medication leading up to the appointment as these tend to increase the possibility of bruising. But that’s about all, really.

Does the injection hurt?
Great news: The needle used for the jab is really small compared to the vaccines we’ve gotten this past year, so there’s no need to worry. Also, the process is very fast — 30 minutes is all it takes, and it’s back to work or home. After a few hours, the zit should mellow out and hurt lesser than before. Within 24 to 48 hours, it should be as good as gone.

Is there any post-injection care to know of?
Another plus-point to an acne cortisone jab would be the lack of maintenance. As long as you keep your paws off your face and avoid applying skincare products with volatile and irritable ingredients — think retinol and salicylic acid — over the injection area, it’s pretty much guaranteed that the pimple will disappear like magic.

However, there are some potential side effects that you should know about before getting a cortisone jab. Firstly, the zit may leave an indentation in the skin a few days after receiving the jab. This is due to the atrophy of the skin’s naturally produced collagen. It is said that this will go away after some time — six months to a year to be more precise.

Secondly, those with darker skin tones might experience a skin-lightening effect around the injection zone. This will fade away over time and there’s no risk of permanent damage. Last but not least, an acne cortisone injection is not a solution for acne in the long-run. Unfortunately, it is merely a quick fix for singular zits or a small patch of acne.

What are some clinics that offer this treatment?
Edwin Lim Medical Aesthetic Clinic

With two locations in the East and in Orchard, Dr Lim is experienced with injectables and treating acne, hyperpigmentation, and scarring.

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Shiro Aesthetic Clinic

As the head aesthetician of this clinic, Dr Zhang specialises in acne treatments using injections and laser technology.

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