If you have a raised, thick, itchy, or uncomfortable scar, you've probably come across cortisone injections as a treatment option. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons have used cortisone shots for decades to help improve certain types of scars, but they're not a miracle cure—and they don't work for every scar.
Understanding what cortisone injections can and cannot do can help you decide whether they're worth considering as part of your scar treatment journey.
What Are Cortisone Shots?
Cortisone is a type of corticosteroid medication that reduces inflammation and suppresses the body's healing response. When injected directly into a scar, it can help slow down the excessive collagen production that causes some scars to become thick and raised.
The most commonly used medication is triamcinolone acetonide, which is injected directly into the scar tissue by a healthcare professional.
Which Scars Respond Best to Cortisone Injections?
Cortisone shots are most effective for:
Hypertrophic Scars
These are raised scars that remain within the boundaries of the original wound. They often develop after surgery, burns, injuries, or acne.
Keloid Scars
Keloids are raised scars that grow beyond the original injury site. They can continue growing for months or even years after the skin has healed.
For both hypertrophic scars and keloids, cortisone injections can help flatten the scar, reduce redness, and decrease symptoms such as itching, tenderness, or discomfort.
How Effective Are They?
Research shows that cortisone injections can significantly improve many raised scars, particularly when treatment begins early.
Patients often notice:
- A reduction in scar height
- Softer scar tissue
- Less redness
- Reduced itching or pain
- Improved overall appearance
However, results vary widely depending on the age of the scar, its location, your genetics, and how aggressively the scar tissue is growing.
Most people require multiple treatments spaced several weeks apart. A single injection rarely produces optimal results.
What Cortisone Shots Can't Do
One of the biggest misconceptions about cortisone injections is that they can make a scar disappear completely.
In reality, cortisone shots cannot:
- Erase a scar
- Restore normal skin texture
- Replace lost pigment
- Correct significant discoloration
- Remove indentation or tissue loss
They are designed primarily to reduce excess scar tissue, not to make the skin look exactly as it did before the injury.
Are There Side Effects?
Like any medical treatment, cortisone injections come with potential risks.
Possible side effects include:
- Skin thinning (atrophy)
- Lightening of the skin
- Small visible blood vessels
- Indentations in the treated area
- Temporary discomfort during injection
These side effects are usually localized to the treatment area and become more likely when higher doses or repeated injections are used.
This is why treatment should always be performed by a qualified medical professional experienced in scar management.
What Other Scar Treatments Are Available?
Depending on the type of scar, your healthcare provider may recommend combining cortisone injections with other treatments.
Common options include:
- Silicone scar sheets or gels
- Laser therapy
- Microneedling
- Surgical scar revision
- Pressure therapy
- Cryotherapy (freezing treatment)
- Radiation therapy for severe keloids
- Scar camouflage tattooing
Many patients achieve the best results through a combination approach rather than relying on a single treatment.
What About Scar Camouflage?
Even when a scar has been successfully flattened with cortisone injections, it may still be noticeable due to colour differences between the scar and the surrounding skin.
This is where scar camouflage tattooing can help, but it has limitations.
Scar camouflage uses specialized pigments to blend a healed scar more closely with the surrounding skin tone. It does not remove the scar itself, but it can significantly reduce its visibility. However, note that skin color changes as the seasons change, and as we age. Skin camoflage tattoos may not match your skin tone all year round, or in a few years from now.
For many people, the ideal treatment sequence is to first address raised or active scar tissue through medical treatments such as cortisone injections, and then consider camouflage tattooing once the scar has fully matured and stabilized.
Should You Get Cortisone Shots for Your Scar?
Cortisone injections can be highly effective for raised scars and keloids, especially when treatment begins early. They can flatten scar tissue, improve comfort, and reduce redness, but they are not a complete solution for every scar concern.
If your scar is raised, itchy, painful, or continuing to grow, it's worth consulting a dermatologist or plastic surgeon to determine whether cortisone injections may help.
If your main concern is the colour or visibility of a mature scar, scar camouflage may be another option worth exploring.
The best treatment depends on your scar type, your goals, and what aspect of the scar bothers you most.
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