Since its invention in 1961, intralesional injection-the percutaneous direct administration of drugs into skin lesions-has played a significant role in dermatologic therapy. Intralesional injections are simple to administer, beneficial for a variety of conditions, and generally risk-free.
The goal of intralesional therapy is to treat local tissues with a minimum number of systemic side effects by delivering a medicine directly into a specific skin lesion. Additionally, the skin acts as a reservoir, allowing drugs injected into the dermis to be released gradually over time. This allows for sustained therapy without or with fewer side effects than systemic therapy.
Cosmetic use of injected substances include:
- Dermal fillers and augmentation procedures using collagen, hyaluronic acid, medical-grade silicone, autologous fat, and other agents
- Deoxycholic acid to reduce submental fat
- Botulinum toxin to reduce wrinkles.
- Mesotherapy – injections of vitamins, enzymes, hormones, and plant extracts to rejuvenate and tighten skin
An intralesional injection is a simple office-based and relatively safe procedure with proven benefits in specific skin conditions.
