Acne Injection

What is an acne injection treatment and how does it work?

An acne injection is a quick, in-clinic treatment for painful cystic breakouts. It uses a small dose of Kenalog (a corticosteroid) injected directly into the blemish to calm inflammation, reduce swelling, and speed up healing - often within 24 to 48 hours.

What types of acne can this treat?

This treatment works best for the big, deep, and painful breakouts - think cysts and nodules that sit under the skin and never “come to a head.” It’s perfect for those emergency, swollen pimples that hurt to the touch or threaten to leave a mark. Smaller whiteheads, blackheads, or run‑of‑the‑mill pustules usually respond better to topical care, instead of an injection.

Where on the body can I get an injection?

We can treat deep, painful cysts on both the face and the body. If you have multiple cysts, let your provider know so we can plan the safest approach.

How quickly can I expect to see results?

You can expect the redness, swelling, and tenderness start to calm within 24 hours, with the bump flattening out over the next 48–72 hours. Full healing (and fading of any residual discoloration) can take a week or more, but the “wow, that’s so much better” moment typically arrives in just a day or two.

Which providers deliver this care?

Tia uses specialty trained licensed advanced practice clinicians (NPs & PAs) to deliver this care, who will take your whole health into account when considering results.

Who isn’t a good fit for this appointment?

To ensure your safety, we don’t recommend this injection to patients who:

• Have infected or broken skin at the injection site
• Are currently taking strong immune‑suppressing meds or have serious infections
• Are allergic or hypersensitive to steroids
• Have uncontrolled medical conditions that may be worsened by steroids (e.g., diabetes, severe hypertension, heart failure, bleeding/ulcer issues)
• Have slow‑healing skin, for example, if you have circulation problems that causes cuts to take a long time to heal
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding (without the green light from your OB or pediatrician)
• Have had a previous steroid injection at the same site within the past 2 weeks
• Have had a previous steroid injection at the same site with significant side effects

What can I expect?

Your Acne Injection visit will last about 15 minutes. Your provider begins by reviewing your goals, health history, allergies, and desired treatment area – to ensure this treatment is right for you. If so, the provider will start by cleansing the area. Next, using a very thin needle, they will deliver a tiny dose of medication (a low‑dose anti‑inflammatory steroid called Kenalog) directly into the bump; you’ll feel a brief pinch.

Before you head out, you’ll get after‑care instructions (skip makeup on the spot for a few hours, avoid picking, and keep the skin clean). Most people notice redness and tenderness start to fade within 24 hours, and the puffy bump flattens over the next 48–72 hours.

I’m not exactly sure what I need. How will my Care Plan be formulated?

How you address your skin care goals is a deeply personal choice. Your Tia provider is here to thoroughly understand your objectives and preferences, and take your whole health into account when considering results. At the start of every visit, you and your provider will align on your goals and your treatment plan, with you always in the driver’s seat

What is the cost of the treatment?

We offer clear, competitive pricing to make getting an acne injection at Tia simple and straightforward.