How often should Subcision be performed?

Our office has many different treatments for acne scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Acne scars require a combination approach using our HIDEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of acne scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic acne scars and indented acne scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be been improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional laser such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture. Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone.

Subcision works well alone and in combination with other laser and RF platforms, including fillers and air subcision. TCA Cross can be combined with subcision. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your acne scarring.

Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian

Hi K.  It depends on how the procedure is being done.  If the practitioner is only trying to release scar tissue by using a needle to release hard bands underneath the acne scars, then 4 weeks in between treatments may be enough.  If the practitioner is also using Restylane or another dermal filler to provide volume underneath the scars, then you may want to wait 4-6 months in between.  Click on the link below to see an example of subcision with Restylane.

This will depend on the scar. There is no one single treatment that gives improvement in acne scarring and multiple sessions are typically needed. Scarring can be improved with a combination of lasers, microneedling/prp, fillers along with subcision. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a scarring expert. Best, Dr. Emer