Reviews
3.4
61 Reviews
Good or Excellent Response
20%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Moderate Response
80%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
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.
Read All About Subcision
Compare To Other Treatments
5
25.8%
4
24.2%
3
22.6%
2
14.5%
1
12.9%

Used Subcision? Rate It:

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December 13, 2017
Sharing my view
I have really great experience with this treatment and not any fear in my mind now.
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December 19, 2007

Pros:

Improves shallow, rolling scars a lot, esp paired with a laser treatment soon after.

Cons:

The marks left from it take a while to fade (at least on asian skin).
They look like acne in the beginning and then take as long as acne to fade. (hyperpigmentation)

Overall, a good treatment. Just expect to look like you have acne again for a while afterwards.
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December 26, 2006

Pros:

cheap and affective

Cons:

takes time and bruising

I have been doing subcision on myself for a few months. It actually doesnt really hurt as the scar tissue has no nerves. One neednt go so deep either. This and rose hip seed oil. DMSO for the bruising and weekly saline injections. There has been a 50% improvement and it seems to get better on its own. People have commented on the improvement. Rose hip seed oil gives a nice tan like cover which is more natural than the sunless tanning I have used. I grind down a X-acto blade to 1/8" and use a fresh one each time.
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October 30, 2006

Pros:

very cheap cheap

Cons:

painfull risk of infection so take keflex or other antibiotic for staf ect

start with piston motion n go to sweaping motion when resistens lessons. dont go to wide or donut/pin coushon could form. free neddles for junkies at chem/hospital in oz dont know about yours. clean area well first and wipe with swobs that come with needles. havent tried it myself but that is how it is done. im a seeing a derm/ps in 2 months keep u all posted.
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January 18, 2025
Really bad experience
I have acne scars for years, of course it always makes me a bit sad but nothing that stopped me from being well and enjoy doing my things. I did this treatment 7 months ago and i am deeply depressed now. I can't enjoy my life anymore. The scars looks 2 times worse and i have some feelings underneath the skin and disconfort. I just wish i could go back in time.
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December 3, 2018
My horrible subcision experience with Dr. Sadove in Gainesville FL

I had been searching for a viable remedy for rolling acne scars and through recommendation on this website i landed on dr sadove in Gainesville fl. I contacted him and sent him photos for a virtual consultation. He concluded that subcision with fat grafting would be the best option at a price of 4000. He said I was a perfect candidate and believed that I would see a huge improvement. Feeling excited by his confidence I made the appointment. Day of procedure everything was fine. I came out looking incredibly smooth but like a chipmunk as anticipated. Saw dr. Sadove the morning after. He was very happy how it looked and said "you're looking like a 90% improvement". Looking back now I'm thinking how could you have possibly known the results fresh off a fat transfer and a ton of swelling. I mentioned a dent on my left cheek that I never had before, where it looked like the fat didn't go. I asked him about that and he tried to massage it into place. 6 months after the procedure I am looking very uneven on each side. Right side looks okay, tolerable. Left side is larger and uneven, looks wavy and lumpy in spots. Dent is still there from day after treatment. Both sides considerably larger in size than they used to be. Feeling very displeased with my results, I make an appt to see him to address my overfilled face. Couple days before I call to confirm the appointment. They're like what?! You're coming in tomorrow? I said yeah I made the appointment like 2 months ago. Receptionist looks through her files about 10 mins and comes back and says, oh we don't have you on the schedule we must have got you mixed up with our other patient who has the same name. I'm like well I made the appointment, took off work, and am driving down 4 hours away. She says okay we'll make it work. I'm thinking to myself, wow your whole filing system crashes if you've got a duplicate first name.wtf. Before I hang up I confirm again everything at the appointment will be complimentary since I am coming back to fix what I was unhappy with. She assures me absolutely. I also expressed my discontent to the doctor and he assured me everything would be complimentary. Anyways I show up two days later right on time. Doctor is nowhere to be found. Receptionist/nurse is running around and making calls trying to find him. 45 mins later he walks through the door with a new keurig. Finally brings me in his office. I begin illustrating to him how upset I am about how my face looks.....still puffy, very uneven, dent on my left side, and overall way larger than I used to be. He begins shuffling through my before and afters, and kind of chuckles, "I think I see a big improvement". Again I articulate why I am upset and the lumpy spots I don't like. He kind of laughs and says, "you know how many girls pay a lot of money for that fullness." I just looked down feeling depressed and broken. I said, "well I'm not a girl and I don't want that fullness, what can be done to reduce the fat and remedy the unevenness?" His response was unhelpful and rushed. Basically told me no, just give it more time, maybe it will go down. I pressed him a little more and he decided to inject a bit of cortisone in my cheeks to dissolve some of the fat. All in all he basically laughed at me the whole time, didn't take my concerns seriously, and gave me an attitude when I told him I wasn't happy. He said oh we can inject a little juvederm in that dent on the left side to help that. I say okay I guess. He takes me to the back room and goes okay this syringe will be 650. I'm like wtf I thought you told me it was complimentary. He says oh it's not free but I'll give it to you at cost. I said no and we left. My wife said that was the worst experience she's ever had with a doctor, you are not going back there ever.....Now 14 months later no improvement, still uneven, lumpy, and unhappy with my results. It's completely wrecked my self esteem and confidence. I've been seeing a couple surgeons locally trying to find a remedy. Would post pictures but I'm too embarrassed. Stay away from this doctor. Horrible experience.

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October 29, 2019

Sorry to hear about your experience. how is your face now?

June 2, 2020

Hey any improvements?

June 3, 2020

That’s awful! What a jerk!

October 23, 2021
Kat

I had subcision, dermapen and TCA cross under dr anil in london - I had 3-4 sessions over a year and it was the best choice I ever made. He?s a great doctor, not ridiculously overpriced and he isnt just after your money. I wanted botox but he said it wasnt the right time yet. I really trust him and I?m really grateful for the improvement in my acne scars. Happy to answer any questions, I have added a before and after. So difficult to replicate the lighting but I believe the after photo is obvious! Its realistic to expect perfection but I?m so happy with the results I have and happy to answer any questions

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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.

Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.