Acne Scar Subcision

Acne scar subcision is a procedure used for depressed scars.

In the simple terms, the deep portions of the scar are released and the surface elevates with the wound repair process.The skin is numbed and the needle inserted under the depressed scar. Then, using a fanning motion in the horizontal direction, the fibrous bands are severed.
The scar improve immediately. A few drops of your own blood, which contains collagen and elastic fibers, rushes into the depression and replaces some of the lost collage.

The idea behind acne scar subcision is that when a scar forms the healing of the collagen becomes short in places between the outer epidermis level of the skin and the inner dermis level of the skin. The doctor just cuts the short collagen fibers and they hopefully will be replaced by fresh collagen that has longer fibers attaching the lower dermis to the upper epidermis. When the length of the collagen fibers between the upper epidermis and the lower dermis level of the skin are elongated the scar disappears from the surface of the skin. Flawless skin is the result.

Acne scar subcision will not work on all scars because some scars are only in the upper epidermis level of the skin, and can only be removed by removing the upper layer of the skin several times over and over in order to reach a lower level where the skin evens out. This treatment is great for large, nondistensible scars and for deep ice-pick scars.

Subcision repeated monthly may be effective as a monotherapy for some acne scars. Subcision is always performed immediately prior to filler or fat injection. It can also be highly effective for nasal scars.
This procedure causes bruising which fades after about 1 week.

To assess the efficacy of subcision in the treatment of rolling acne scars,a standard technique was developed for acne scar subcision. This was then applied to the treatment of rolling scars in patients, 40 of whom completed treatment and the prescribed follow-up. Six-month follow-up data were obtained from both patients and investigators.
RESULTS. Subcision is associated with patient and investigator reports of approximately 50% improvement. Ninety percent of treated patients reported that subcision improved their appearance. The side effects of swelling, bruising, and pain are transient, but patients may have persistent firm bumps at the treatment site.
CONCLUSIONS. Subcision appears to be a safe technique that may provide significant long-term improvement in the rolling scars of selected patients. When complete resolution of such scars does not occur, combining subcision with other scar revision procedures or repeat subcision may be beneficial.(...)Revue / Journal Title Dermatologic surgery ISSN 1076-0512 Source / Source 2005, vol. 31, no3, pp. 310-317 [8 page(s) (article)] (16 ref.)

The risks of subcision include the formation of subcutaneous nodules. Nodules can be treated with injection of corticosteroids into the nodule. This treatment followed by Fraxel Laser has had great results for acne scar patients; also treatments such as C02 Laser resurfacing, Microdermabrasion , Chemical Peel , filler injection can be used to smooth out the scarred tissue.

Remember: this is is a difficult procedure performed by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon, by which they carry out under local anesthesia; it is a expensive treatment costing up to $1000. You have to find a doctor who really knows how to do this procedure, and has done it on many patients before you, because it takes great skill to do it right.

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