Procedure details
Intralesional Steroid Injection
An intralesional steroid injection delivers a small dose of corticosteroid directly into a lesion. It is used to flatten and soften certain raised or thickened skin conditions.\n\nCommon uses include keloid...
Category
Medical Treatments
Duration
10–20 minutes
Anesthesia
Local anaesthetic may be combined for sensitive sites
About this procedure
An intralesional steroid injection delivers a small dose of corticosteroid directly into a lesion. It is used to flatten and soften certain raised or thickened skin conditions.\n\nCommon uses include keloid and hypertrophic scars, and patches of hair loss such as alopecia areata. Several sessions may be needed.
Who it is suitable for
- ["Keloid and hypertrophic scars","Alopecia areata (patchy hair loss)","Nodular acne lesions","Certain thickened skin conditions (after review)"]
How the procedure is done
The lesion is cleaned and the steroid is injected directly into it with a fine needle. The dose is kept low to limit side effects. The procedure is quick.
Recovery & aftercare
Mild redness or soreness at the injection site settles within a day or two. Improvement in scar thickness or hair regrowth is gradual over weeks.
Important notes
- ["Repeated sessions are often needed for scars","Doses are kept low to minimise side effects","The site should be kept clean after the injection"]