wrinkling at sides of cortizone shot

[dogann]

Dear Dr. Rockoff,



My name is Sarah and I wrote in the other week regarding a cortizone shot that was done in the right side of my chin. I have wrinkling of the skin to the right of where the shot was - it is kind of a lot on the side of my chin. This is almost like the cortizone leaked out and 'infected' the skin around it. Please tell me that the skin will go back to normal (taut and firm like it used to be). I am so afraid it won't. I used to have clear skin and I feel that my derm. office ruined my chin. What time frame is normal for the wrinkling to go away and how exactly does the process happen (how does the skin go back to normal)? Also if I sleep on it funny or stretch it will it prevent the skin from filling in normal?



Thank you,



Sarah

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

The skin will go back to normal.  Cortisone can cause the skin to shrink--temporarily.  Then the effects wear off and the skin grows again.  It takes 6-12 months in most cases.  Lying on it or stretching it won't have an effect one way or another.  If you wait it out, you should be fine.



If the skin hasn't gone back to normal by a year from the injection, that's when you should show it to someone.  But I bet you won't have to.



Best.



Dr. Rockoff