Reviews
Good or Excellent Response
20%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Moderate Response
80%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Side Effects
Medium
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist or plastic surgeon? Make an appointment to get this procedure done. Don't have a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find a dermatologist or the American Society of Plastic Surgeons to find a plastic surgeon.
Used Subcision? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
September 22, 2009
Cons:
It hurt a little bit. I was mentally prepared, having read a lot about it and wanting the procedure done badly enough, but I could see a teenage-me having trouble with it.
I have wanted to have my scars removed since I was 13 and waited until now (23) till my acne mostly went away. I had a variety of ice-pick, boxcar, and rolling scars as well as enlarged pores. I did a lot of research and found the right doctor for me online - his website is [link removed]. He predicted a 45-75% increase and was very honest about what I could expect. I tried not to get my hopes too high, but after the first subcision/fraxel/tca cross I was delighted. I've had 1 TCA Cross, 2 Subcision, and 3 Fraxel. I have been done with subcision now for about two months and have 1 Fraxel treatment left. The price I listed as what I paid is just for one subcision treatment.
April 20, 2016
Jacqui, can you please provide the name of your doctor? thanks
September 16, 2009
Pros:
made one of my rolling scars better, and made general area smoother
Cons:
next to my larger rolling scar i have a line-like depression that was not there before
So subcision did help my skin but I have a line-like depression scar that was not there before...It has been 3 months since procedure and skin is maybe 30 % better...but the new line scar pretty much makes me think that cancels out the improvement.
Doctor did say it would take a few times to get maximum results and mentioned lasering down the area afterwards but we didn't do it first time. So i have to go for another round of subcision or geta dermal graft to correct line. The doctor was skilled but I don't think itw as completely his fault that the line happened to I can't hate on the procedure. Just get your expectations down up front.
June 13, 2009
Pros:
It definitely helped one scar a lot (so far--assuming it doesn't go down ;-). But the other scars have been more stubborn. But I am optimistic.
Cons:
Requires having it done more than once; Is expensive ($700 each time); So far (knock on wood), I don't think this has worsened any of my scars.
I just had my 3rd round of subcision performed today. I see more scars than my derms seem to (want to) see (or treat!), and I do wish they would treat all of my scars, not just the most glaringly obvious. But the derm said to me today, "I can't treat something I can't see." I understand that, but it does depend on the lighting, and the uniform florescent doctors' offices' lights don't hit the face at that awful angle that brings out all the scars on the sides of the face.
So, if you can find a caring, experienced, patient dermatologist who is willing to spend time on and with you, who doesn't think you're being nit-picky when in fact you are the patient who is paying hundreds of dollars for the treatment, then I would recommend seeing that doctor. I have been to supposedly the "best", but since one gentleman pushed injections and the other treated all of my scars in less than 2 minutes flat, I think it's hard to know who to go to. I am making the rounds.
April 28, 2009
Pros:
was cheap, but probably will cost more to fix
Cons:
caused atrophy to the area treated, and purple marks has been 4 months since my treatment
I have rolling acne scars and what looks like tiny white heads that wont pop just on my chin area- i went to DR Rullan after reading about him here and other sites- he injected a small amount of cortisone to a pimple and subsized- two sides of my chin also put acid in a large pore on my nose (sorry i cant think of correct terms for procedures) he burned some of the white head type things with a hot needle thing and then lasered the whole area- for a few weeks i was hopefully and it seemed like the acid worked, but then i developed a scar nodule where subscison was done- he injected that with saline along with more of the white head type bumps which seemed to work for a week- its now 4 months later and it looks worse then when i originally went in- purple marks more white bumps, hard lump on one side where subscision was done sunken in where cortisone was injected- also sinking at the top and bottom of the subscision area- looks like a dog bite now not sure what to do next
April 13, 2009
Pros:
my scars are practically gone.
Cons:
I paid $850 for the treatment. I believe this can be done a lot cheaper. Doctor said it would be about 4 days downtime. I believe you need at least 6-7 days.
Thur I had first subcision followed by fraxel laser. After reading the internet for 3 weeks straight, I decided to do the procedure. I was a little nervous, because I have literally tried everything. When I say everything, I have really tried it all...microdermabrasion (about 12-25), pixel laser (about 7-8), Yag laser (had about 10-15 shots in my face), the palomar laser (about 5-6). I have tried it all and spent a lot of money doing it. I remember one dermatologist telling me as long as it took you to get these scars, it will probably take that long to remove them. Well, he was right and wrong. Everyone who is trying to get rid of acne scars, please believe me when I tell you that no laser will work unless you raise the scar. Unless you have very superficial scarring, laser will be a WASTE of money. Day 4, I have on makeup, because of the fraxel procedure. I can already see an improvement. I may opt for another round of both, but I am leaning towards palomar laser on
November 3, 2016
you didn't mention anything about subcision
April 7, 2009
Pros:
Works well with an experience physician and multiple treatments. Meant to be used on individual scars as first step before fillers or laser/dermabrasion.
Cons:
Bruising & swelling, but can mostly be covered with makeup.
It's worth trying to improve your larger/more noticable scars.
March 17, 2009
Pros:
Very cost-effective and little down time expected. Subcision appears to make the most sense to me for the rolling scars that I have. The doctor goes right to the source of the problem and fixes it. TCA appears to be ideal for ice pick scars.
Cons:
Like most acne scar treatments, one treatment probably will not suffice.
I had subcision and the TCA Cross Method performed on my rolling and ice pick scars today by my dermatologist. After doing a lot of research on the internet, I decided that these two treatments were the best ones for my type of scarring. I found a terrific dermatologist five minutes from my home who was very gracious and understanding and explained everything very thoroughly to me.
July 28, 2008
Pros:
Immediate improvement
Cons:
! week minimum downtime.
A very effective option if you have depressed scars oversmall areas. The only discomfort was the injections used to numb the areas that were to be 'subscisioned',and possibly the sound of the connecting tissues being cut, since you know its your own face but can't see or feel a thing!
I'm very fair, so the blue marks on my face looked as if I'd been bashed in a street fight, but it took just 3 days to subside. I didn't need any of the painkillers that the doc gave me. The swelling took atleast 4 days to reduce. Now its been 9 days since the surgeru, and only the injection/needle puncture marks are very slightly visible, which infact look like old acne scars. The ice pick scars have gone totally, and I heard that the whole treated area looks even better after a month.
Definetely worth it, if you have a good doctor.
April 20, 2016
What is the name of your doctor? thanks
March 27, 2008
Pros:
healed fairly quickly, no downtime.
Cons:
some discomfort during the injections to numb your face before the procedure. Cost.
I have only had one so far and am due to go back for the second treatment next week. My doctor thought I would need 3-4. It looked much smoother right away but now that it has healed from the first treatment I only see a slight improvement. I would like to combine these with a laser resurfacing, but on reading the laser treatment reviews on another page I am more confused than ever. I had been reading about Fraxel and how it was currently considered the most effective treatment for acne scars, it shocked me to read so many bad reviews.
March 21, 2008
Pros:
actually works
Cons:
bloody
I went ahead and purchased 100 nokor needles and have been doing my own subcision. This is serious stuff. Dificult positions and bloody etc. I can tell it works but I think best left to a surgeon.
Pros:
I had fantastic results from the subcision combined with the fraxel laser treatment.