Cyst Injection for a Painful Acne Spot in Brighton
An intralesional cyst injection at Dr Selvi Clinic in Brighton is a doctor-administered injection of a very small, diluted dose of anti-inflammatory medicine directly into a single painful acne cyst or nodule. It costs £99 and typically settles the lesion within 24 to 72 hours, though individual response varies. The first step is a free consultation.
What an intralesional injection is
A deep acne cyst or nodule is an inflamed, fluid-filled pocket sitting below the skin's surface. It has no head to drain, it hurts when touched, and squeezing it makes the inflammation worse and the scar more likely.
An intralesional injection places a tiny volume of diluted anti-inflammatory steroid medicine directly into the lesion using a very fine needle. The medicine calms the inflammatory reaction from the inside, so the swelling, redness and pain subside far faster than they would on their own. It is a targeted procedure for one or a small number of lesions, not a treatment for the face as a whole.
Dr Selvi performs the injection himself after examining the lesion, because not every lump that looks like a cyst is one. An abscess, an inflamed epidermal cyst or an unrelated skin lesion each needs a different response, which is why the clinic insists on examination first.
What happens at the appointment
The appointment is short. After a brief history and examination, the skin is cleaned and the lesion is injected. There is a brief sting; numbing is not usually needed. Aftercare is simple: leave the area alone, avoid picking, keep make-up light for the rest of the day, and use sun protection.
If the appearance suggests something other than an acne cyst, he will explain what he thinks it is and what should happen instead, which occasionally means not injecting at all.
How fast it works
The inflammation typically begins to settle within 24 hours, and the lesion is usually noticeably flatter and less tender within 24 to 72 hours. Some lesions take longer, and a very large or long-standing nodule may need a second injection a few weeks later. Response is individual, and the clinic does not promise a particular result on a particular day.
The injection is often requested before a wedding, interview or photograph. That is reasonable with enough lead time and realistic expectations: the lump flattens, but any redness left by the inflammation fades over weeks.
Risks and side effects, stated plainly
This is a widely used procedure, but it has known side effects that should be understood before consenting:
Dimpling (atrophy). The most important risk. If too much medicine is used, or it spreads into the surrounding tissue, the skin can develop a small depression at the site. This usually recovers over several months but can occasionally persist. A heavily diluted dose and precise technique keep the risk low, which is why the clinic does not inject the same spot repeatedly at short intervals.
Hypopigmentation. A pale patch can appear at the injection site, more visible in darker skin tones. It generally fades over months.
Temporary flare. Occasionally the lesion becomes briefly more inflamed in the first 24 hours before settling.
Bruising, bleeding, infection. Uncommon, and reduced by leaving the area alone afterwards.
Dr Selvi will discuss these individually. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, who have an active skin infection at the site, or who have had a reaction to this class of medicine before should say so at consultation.
Who it suits, and who it does not
The injection suits:
an isolated, deep, painful cyst or nodule that has not come to a head;
a lesion that is likely to scar if left, particularly on the cheek or jawline;
someone whose acne is otherwise controlled but who gets an occasional deep flare;
an important date approaching, with enough time for the lesion to settle.
It is less appropriate for:
multiple lesions across the face, where the underlying acne is the problem;
superficial pustules and whiteheads, which respond to routine care;
lesions that are recurring in the same place month after month, which need a proper acne plan;
lumps that do not look like acne on examination.
Not a substitute for acne management
A cyst injection treats one lesion. It does nothing to prevent the next one. If deep, painful spots are appearing regularly, the honest answer is a structured acne programme, not repeated injections. The clinic's acne treatment guide explains how that programme is built, and the comparison of peels, microneedling and LED shows how the pieces fit together. For women with a jawline pattern that follows the menstrual cycle, the assessment described in adult acne in women is a better starting point.
Cyst injections are also included, where needed, within the Intensive Acne Programme (6 weeks, £449), so people already on a programme do not usually need to book them separately.
Availability, price and booking
The intralesional cyst injection is £99, as listed on the pricing page. The final price is confirmed at consultation. Because the procedure is short, the clinic tries to offer same-week appointments for painful lesions, subject to availability on the day of enquiry; this cannot be promised in advance. Anyone with a rapidly enlarging, hot or spreading lesion, fever, or a lesion near the eye should contact a GP or NHS 111 rather than wait for an aesthetic appointment.
Once the acne is settled, any marks or texture left behind can be assessed separately; see acne scar treatment in Brighton.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly does a cyst injection work on a spot?
Most cysts begin to flatten within 24 hours and are noticeably less swollen and tender within 24 to 72 hours. Response varies between people and lesions, and a large nodule may need a second injection a few weeks later.
Does a cortisone injection for acne leave a dent?
It can. Skin dimpling (atrophy) is the main recognised risk and is why a small, diluted dose and careful technique matter. When it occurs it usually improves over several months. Dr Selvi discusses this before injecting.
Can I have a cyst injection the day before an event?
It is possible, but 3 to 5 days of lead time gives a better chance of the lesion settling fully. Any redness left after the swelling goes takes longer to fade. Same-week appointments are offered where availability allows.
Does the injection hurt?
There is a brief sting as the needle enters the inflamed lesion, usually over in a few seconds, followed by a feeling of pressure. Numbing is not normally needed.
How much does an acne cyst injection cost in Brighton?
At Dr Selvi Clinic an intralesional cyst injection is £99 per lesion, with the final price confirmed at consultation. The consultation itself is free.
Can I have cyst injections regularly instead of acne treatment?
Not sensibly. The injection settles one lesion but does not stop new ones forming, and repeated injections in the same area raise the risk of skin thinning. Recurring cysts are a sign that an acne programme is needed.
Who will treat me
Dr Selvi, founder and medical director, ECFMG-registered doctor with over 10 years of medical and aesthetic experience.
Book a free consultation
Diagnosis comes before treatment: the lesion is examined, with dermatoscopy where its appearance is uncertain, before any injection is offered. Book a free, no-obligation consultation at 57B London Road, Brighton BN1 4JE, call +44 7570 099947, or use the contact page.
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