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Subcision is a minor surgical procedure used to treat acne scarring, specifically depressed acne scars. Depressed acne scars are caused when fibrotic strands pull the skin downwards, creating the superficial indentations. It is also called subcutaneous incisional surgery.
Subcision is performed using a special hypodermic needle inserted through a puncture in the skin surface. The sharp edge of the needle is used to break fibrotic strands that are tethering the scar to the underlying tissue.
The release of the fibrotic strands and new collagen deposition caused by wound healing leads to cosmetic improvement of the scar. Subcision can be safely performed in the outpatient setting and is usually well tolerated.
The primary mode of treatment is to actually to free up the scar using subcision. Subcision itself gives permanent results.
The number of subcisions required to correct a depression will depend on the type, location, severity of depression, and intensity of treatment.
Subcision may hurt a little, but every effort is made to make sure the specific area is numb prior to the insertion of the needle. Most people do not feel anything except for the numbing procedure.
Subcision has very minimal side effects. After the procedure, you may experience bruising and soreness.
The most important aspect of treating acne scars is to identify the scar type.
Subcision may be used for the treatment of:
*excluding deep ice-pick scars