Acne is one of the most common skin disease affecting millions of people across the globe.
It is characterized by frequent outbreaks of pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, and inflammations marked by scarring and redness of the affected area.
Today, a lot of new ways and treatments have been developed to do away with these scars completely.
This article tends to discuss the effectiveness of the method of Subcision in doing away with the rolling scars.
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What is Subcision?
Subcision, also otherwise known as subcutaneous incision-less surgery, is a simple and safe surgery for the treatment of depressed rolling scars.
It uses a tri-beveled hypodermic needle which is inserted through a puncture in the skin surface to make incisions and cuts by moving it back and forth.
It works on the principle of detaching the epidermal layer of the skin from the fibrotic strands found in the scars.
According to a survey, subcision has resulted in an immediate 50% improvement in scars whereas 90% of the treated patients confirmed that it had a positive effect on their appearance.
How does Subcision treat Acne Scars
Subcision is used for the treatment of rolling scars primarily and tends to break up the fibrous bands that cause the rolling scars.
The procedure is performed usually under the effect of local anesthesia and requires inserting a hypodermic needle parallel to the scar which is moved in an in and out motion.
The mechanism of action works in two steps.
First is cutting the subcutaneous fibrous septa which are attached to the scar thereby releasing the tension exerted on the skin and the second is the formation of new connective tissues.
The damage caused due to the cutting out of the fibrous septa causes a natural healing process which facilitates in the formation of new connective tissues.
The continuous movement also releases the overlying skin and decreases the depth of scar depression. The treatment may be followed by suction to achieve better results.
The treatment can be accompanied by others like laser treatment for scar or cryosurgery. This will induce new skin growth and stimulate collagen.
What kind of Scars Does Subcision Treat?
Subcision is usually performed for the treatment of rolling ‘depressed’ scars. It is characterized by rolling, wave-like appearance of the skin.
It occurs when the fibrous bands of tissue appear between the skin and subcutaneous tissue thereby pulling the epidermis which makes these scars looks depressed.
Cost of Subcision treatment
The cost of treatment can range anywhere from 50$ to 750$ per session depending upon the kind of dermatologist you go to.
The dermatologist can charge according to the scar or according to per session.
It often requires more than one session.
Benefits of undergoing Subcision treatment
Subcision exhibits many relative benefits as opposed to other kinds of scar treatments. Some of them are mentioned below:
- It requires no downtime.
- It has a very high safety value with minimal risks.
- It is the most effective way of dealing with ‘depressed’ rolling acne scars.
- It is often a complement to other treatment modalities.
Possible Issues
The side effects associated with subcision are minor and extremely rare. They are as follows:
- You may experience bruising and soreness after the procedure.
- There may be a hemtoma formation under the skin. It is simply the collection of blood under the skin and is temporary.
- There might be a risk of bacterial or viral infection, though extremely rare.
- One may experience prolonged pain after the procedure. This again is a rare case.
Precautions with Subcision
The following precautions must be maintained before and after undergoing this treatment by the doctor as well as the patient:
- The scars should be punctured separately at a different site.
- Preauricular, temporal and mandibular areas should be strictly avoided from being punctured so that injury to facial nerve and major vessels under the skin can be avoided.
- The repeated sessions, if required at all, should take place only after a 3-week interval.
- The patient should be informed about hematoma and bluish discoloration beforehand.
- Patients with active acne should not be treated for acne scarring.
- Dark skinned patients may be at higher risks of hyperpigmentation and must be informed about it.
Customer reviews of Subcision Treatment
We did an online analysis of reviews by consumers who had undergone this treatment to heal their acne scars.
Here is a summary of what they liked or disliked about it from their experience:
What they liked about it
Inexpensive: Most consumers felt that it is a relatively cheap option for them when it comes to healing acne scars. Other treatments like the co2 or Er.YAG laser treatments are relatively expensive.
Effective: It is believed to be the most effective method when it comes to treating depressed acne scars. Also, it has a very low rate of side effect dangers as compared to other treatment option which might cause severe adverse impacts. A lot of consumers found it extremely effective
Painless: Many consumers felt that it was a relatively painless treatment and did not hurt much. Mostly because it is performed under the administration of local anesthesia.
What they did not like about it
Swelling: A few consumers complained that it caused swelling and bruising. Though these might occur in some cases after the procedure, it is temporary and will get back to normal after some days.
Combination: It has often been suggested that it gives you the best result when followed by or used in combination with treatments like the laser treatment which will stimulate collagen formation. Something which this treatment alone cannot induce.
Summary
Subcision has been one of the most and sometimes the only effective treatment for healing depressed scars.
The risks of side effects are extremely minimal as it is one of the safest treatments.
It is also, relatively inexpensive and will not be a burden on your pockets even if your insurance is not willing to cover the costs.
Furthermore, you will have to spend absolutely no time underground after the treatment and can resume with your life as before.