Subcision

Subcision is most effective for atrophic, tethered scars that are sunken into the skin. It’s particularly beneficial for:

Such scars develop a rippled feel at the surface because of bands of fibrous tissue that lie below the surface. Subcision is done to deactivate these bands so that the skin becomes smooth over time. To achieve more distinguishable improvement, some of the patients combine their subcision procedures with PRP therapy for acne scar healing. The platelet-rich plasma contributes to faster healing and encourages even deeper skin remodelling.

Boxcar scars appear as broad, angular depressions with well-defined edges. Because they are often tethered to underlying tissue, subcision is one of the most effective methods to lift and smooth them. These scars may also benefit from post-treatment skin tone improvement using chemical peels for post-acne marks, especially if discoloration is also present around the scarred area.

At Nexus Clinic, your comfort and safety are our priorities. After evaluating your skin, a topical numbing cream or local anaesthesia is applied. The procedure is performed with a specialized needle (often called a Nokor needle) that allows precise undermining of scar tissue. The physical process to sever the bands brings on controlled trauma, which triggers the body to repair the region using new collagen fibers.

After the procedure, there will be slight bruising and swelling, which will only be temporary. You might not be allowed to engage in hard exercises or facial massage in those few days. We also suggest that we should make follow-ups after the care to gauge the progress and whether further care is necessary.

If pigmentation or redness remains after your scars begin to heal, many patients see excellent results by adding pigmentation laser for acne scars to their treatment plan. This laser technology targets melanin clusters to even out the skin tone and reduce residual marks from previous breakouts.

The results of subcision are not instant, as collagen rebuilding takes time. After several weeks of use, most patients will start to report a visible change in skin texture; however, constant improvements can be observed after 23 months. The recommended treatment is usually 1 to 3 sessions, depending on the magnitude and cardinality of scars.

You will experience slow improvement in the form of a reduction in the severity of the acne scars and general smoothing of the skin. Although the effect is permanent, there are follow-up therapies that could be recommended after the procedure of clearing the acne or pigmentation.

Subcision is best used in those patients with depressed, fibrotic scars, usually rolling or boxcar patterns, that have failed to improve with gels or peels. Raised scars and keloid scars are not normally treated using it, and have other methods of treatment.

In case the skin you currently have is not completely acne-free, it is necessary to resolve the acne first so that there will be no subsequent complications. When this happens, our experts can prescribe initial treatment of the oral medication for acne as a stabilizing step, to provide a clear base upon which further scar treatment, such as subcision, can be negotiated.