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My list of acne preventatives and treatments includes topical salicylic acid in the morning, retinol at night, and at-home glycolic peels to reduce breakouts. I also get Isolaz treatments, which work by vacuum-cleaning pores and zapping acne-causing bacteria with an antibacterial light about every nine months. And I don't eat dairy because it's been proven to exacerbate acne. You might think I've attained a seamless, springy, Kardashian complexion by now, but my skin is far from perfect. I still wake up with pimples—please see ELLE.com's Snapchat—and I visit my skin doctor the way that some people get their bangs trimmed.
What do I do when an especially robust zit erupts on my face? Emergency cortisone injections.
The one-shot treatment has the power to flatten a pimple in 24 to 48 hours by reducing inflammation, redness, and size. And unlike most cosmetic injectables, cortisone shots are often covered by insurance. They don't even hurt. In fact, I love cortisone shots so much that I hope my acne never goes away. Above, watch Jennifer MacGregor, MD, of Union Square Laser Dermatology, inject my face with pimp juice and see how easy it is.
