Subcision

Compare To Other Treatments

What Is It?

Subcision is a procedure in which a doctor uses a needle to probe under an acne scar, releasing the binding connections of the deeper tissues. This causes a controlled trauma underneath the scar that will lead to wound healing and the formation of new collagen, helping to even the sunken scar with the skin’s surface.

This procedure is normally repeated 1-3 times in 2-week intervals, and you should see gradual results with each session. And after your last session, your skin should continue to improve.

Results

Results
Strength of Evidence: Weak
20% of patients achieved a good (>50%) or excellent (>75%) improvement in scarring after 2 sessions
Expand for result statistics
Good or Excellent Response
20% of patients achieved a good (>50%) or excellent (>75%) improvement in scarring after 2 sessions
Moderate Response
80% of patients achieved at least a moderate (>25%) improvement in scarring after 2 sessions
▸ Based on These Clinical Studies & Trials
▾ Based on These Clinical Studies & Trials
  1. Abdelwahab, A. A., Omar, G. A. B. & Hamdino, M. A combined subcision approach with either fractional CO2 laser (10,600 nm) or cross-linked hyaluronic acid versus subcision alone in atrophic post-acne scar treatment. Lasers Med Sci 38, 20 (2022).
  2. Kaur, M., Sharma, V. K., Sethuraman, G., Arava, S. & Gupta, S. A split-face randomized controlled study comparing the efficacy and safety of intralesional radiofrequency-assisted subcision vs conventional subcision in postacne scars. J Cosmet Dermatol 19, 1086–1092 (2020).
  3. Dhamale, S. A study to evaluate various upcoming therapies for acne scars: head on comparison. Clinical Dermatology Review 4, 128–135 (2020).
  4. Deshmukh, N. S. & Belgaumkar, V. A. Platelet-rich plasma augments subcision in atrophic acne scars: a split-face comparative study. Dermatol Surg 45, 90–98 (2019).
  5. Khedr, N. A. E.-A. A., Hussein, T. M. & El-Fatah, A. M. E.-S. A. Comparing the role of subcision suction method with and without the injection of platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of depressed scars. Journal of Surgical Dermatology 2, 88–97 (2017).
  6. Barikbin, B., Akbari, Z., Yousefi, M. & Dowlati, Y. Blunt blade subcision: an evolution in the treatment of atrophic acne scars. Dermatol Surg 43 Suppl 1, S57–S63 (2017).
  7. Al-Dhalimi, M. A. & Arnoos, A. A. Subcision for treatment of rolling acne scars in Iraqi patients: a clinical study. J Cosmet Dermatol 11, 144–150 (2012).
  8. Ramadan, S. A. E.-R., El-Komy, M. H. M., Bassiouny, D. A. & El-Tobshy, S. A. Subcision versus 100% trichloroacetic acid in the treatment of rolling acne scars. Dermatol Surg 37, 626–633 (2011).
  9. Balighi, K., Robati, R. M., Moslehi, H. & Robati, A. M. Subcision in acne scar with and without subdermal implant: a clinical trial. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 22, 707–711 (2008).
  10. Alam, M., Omura, N. & Kaminer, M. S. Subcision for acne scarring: technique and outcomes in 40 patients. Dermatol Surg 31, 310–317; discussion 317 (2005).

Side Effects

Side Effects
Medium side effects and adverse reactions

Reviews

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3.4
62 Reviews

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