Acne Scar Treatment: Subcision

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Subcision for acne scars is a minor surgical procedure to smooth out depressed acne scars.

Acne Scar Treatment: Subcision Overview - 774

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The Skinny


Average Recovery

1 weeks

Permanence

Permanent

Application

Minor Surgical Procedure

Surgical

No

Cost

$50 - $1790

The Specifics


What is subcision for the treatment of acne scars?

There are numerous treatment options for acne scarring. Subcision is a minor surgical plastic surgery procedure effective for reducing the appearance of depressed acne scars. In a subcision procedure, the fibrotic bands that pull the skin down to create depressed acne scars are cut to release the downward tension on the skin. A subcision plastic surgery procedure improves the appearance of depressed acne scars to smooth and even skin texture and complexion.

What cosmetic concerns does a subcision procedure treat?

  1. Acne Scars: Direct cutting of fibrous bands beneath the skin surface in a subcision procedure reduces the depressive tension on the skin to lessen the appearance of acne scarring.

Who is the ideal candidate for a subcision procedure to treat acne scars?

The ideal candidate for a subcision surgery is in generally good health with rolling scars or tethered acne scars. Subcision is not recommended for those with a history of hypertrophic or keloid scarring, those with active skin infections, or certain chronic medical conditions like blood clotting disorders.

What is the average recovery associated with a subcision procedure to treat acne scars?

Most patients experience seven to 10 days of recovery time following a subcision procedure. Swelling and bruising will resolve in this time and can be lessened with ice packs. Most candidates return to normal activities directly after the procedure.

What are the potential side effects of a subcision procedure to treat acne scars?

Possible side effects following a subcision for acne scarring surgery include pain, hematoma formation, infection, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, nerve injury, blood vessel damage, and hypertrophic scarring.

What can someone expect from the results of a subcision procedure to treat acne scars?

The results of subcision for acne scarring are immediate, permanent improvements to the appearance of depressed acne scars. Some individuals may require more than one treatment which will need to be spaced out over at least four weeks.

What is the average cost of a subcision procedure to treat acne scars procedure?

Subcision surgery can cost anywhere from $50 to $1,800. The actual cost of a subcision acne scar treatment is dependent upon location, board certified dermatologist, and length and involvement of the cosmetic procedure.

thumbs-upPros

  • Simple Procedure
  • Safe Procedure
  • Acne Scar Treatment
  • Acne Scars
  • Scar Treatment
  • Results After One Treatment
  • Quick Results

thumbs-downCons

  • Sub-optimal Results
  • Lack Of Improvement
  • Multiple Treatments

Invasiveness Score

1
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5
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7
8
9
10

Invasiveness is graded based on factors such as anesthesia practices, incisions, and recovery notes common to this procedure.

What to Expect


Subcision improves the appearance of depressed acne scars by releasing the fibrotic tissue that pulls down the skin and creates the indentation. Here is a quick guide for what to expect before, during, and after treatment with subcision.

The Takeaway


Subcision for acne scarring is a minor surgical procedure to reduce the appearance of depressed acne scars through release of scar tissue under the skin surface. The results are permanent improvements to skin texture, evenness, and complexion.

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Source List

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AEDIT uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Yanhan Wang, Tissa R. Hata Yun, Larry Tong, Christos C. Zouboulis, Richard L. Gallo, Chun-Ming Huang The Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Propionibacterium acnes CAMP Factor-Targeted Acne Vaccines ; 2018-11-11
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