Patchy Hair Loss & Keloid Scars: How Intralesional Injections Help
Some skin and scalp conditions do not respond well to creams or topical treatments. The reason is simple. The problem is too deep for anything applied on the surface to reach effectively.
Intralesional injections solve this by delivering medication directly into the affected area, bypassing the surface entirely and targeting the condition exactly where it exists.
At Skindays Clinic, this treatment is used for two specific conditions: alopecia areata and keloid scars.
What Are Intralesional Injections?
Intralesional injections deliver medication, most commonly a corticosteroid, directly into a skin lesion or a hair loss patch. The medication acts locally, suppressing inflammation or stimulating a biological response at precisely the site where it is needed.
Because the drug is delivered directly into the target area rather than through the bloodstream, the effect is concentrated and far more efficient than oral medication or topical creams for these specific conditions.
For Patchy Hair Loss: Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, causing hair to fall out in distinct, often circular patches. It can affect the scalp, eyebrows, beard, and other areas of the body.
It is not caused by stress alone, though stress can trigger or worsen it. It is not related to hygiene. And it is not always permanent. Many people recover with the right treatment.
Intralesional corticosteroid injections are one of the most effective and widely used treatments for alopecia areata. The medication is injected directly into the hair loss patches, suppressing the localised immune response that is attacking the follicles and creating the conditions for regrowth.
Results are typically visible within 4 to 8 weeks of treatment, with sessions repeated every 4 to 6 weeks depending on response.
For Keloid Scars
A keloid is an overgrowth of scar tissue that forms at the site of a skin injury. Unlike a normal scar, a keloid does not stop growing when the wound has healed. It continues to expand beyond the original injury site, becoming raised, firm, and often darker than the surrounding skin.
Keloids are significantly more common in people with darker skin tones, including Indian skin, and can form after acne, piercings, surgery, burns, or even minor cuts. They are not just cosmetic. They can be itchy, tender, and uncomfortable.
Intralesional corticosteroid injections reduce keloid size by suppressing the excess collagen production that drives their growth. Over a course of sessions, the keloid typically flattens, softens, and reduces in size. Discomfort and itching also decrease as the tissue responds to treatment.
Results are gradual. Multiple sessions are usually required, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart.
What to Expect During the Treatment
Each session is straightforward and completed in 15 to 20 minutes. A fine needle is used to inject medication directly into the patch or scar. Discomfort is mild and brief, localised to the injection point.
There is no downtime. Most people return to their normal routine immediately after.
Pre and Post-Care: What to Keep in Mind
Before treatment:
Avoid applying any topical products or irritants to the area on the day of your session
Come in with the area clean
After treatment:
Do not apply active skincare products to the treated area for 24 hours
Avoid scratching or applying pressure to the treated site
Who Is This Treatment For?
Intralesional injections are suitable for:
People with one or more patches of alopecia areata on the scalp, brows, or beard
People with active or longstanding keloid scars
Patients whose keloids have not responded to topical treatments
Anyone who wants a targeted, non-surgical approach to either condition
A clinical assessment is essential before treatment to confirm the diagnosis and ensure this approach is appropriate for your specific case.
How Skindays Approaches Intralesional Injections
At Skindays Clinic, we begin with a proper assessment of your condition before recommending treatment. For alopecia areata, we evaluate the extent and activity of the patches and your overall hair health. For keloids, we assess the size, age, and location of the scar and your skin type.
Treatment is planned around your specific condition and response, not a standard number of sessions applied to everyone.
If you are dealing with patchy hair loss or a keloid scar that has not responded to other treatments, book a consultation at Skindays Clinic and find out whether intralesional injections are the right step for you.
