POSTED UNDER Subcision Reviews
Subcision with Filler
UPDATED FROM Thoughtful4583
Update after 1 year
$3,000
Unfortunately, the subcision did not give me the long lasting results I had hoped for. Also, I learned that the fillers were absorbed and broken down by my body MUCH quicker than usual and they never lasted more than 6-8 months. Essentially, my scars looked just barely improved compared (I don’t have updated pictures from this exact time frame).
So, the more permanent solution was fat grafting. I had two done and am decently happy with the results. I will post a separate review for that.
So, the more permanent solution was fat grafting. I had two done and am decently happy with the results. I will post a separate review for that.
ORIGINAL POST
Subcision with Filler
After spending years (and wasting money) on lasers, I finally learned about subcision through Dr. Davin Lim (THANK YOU!). If your scars are similar to mine, I would urge you to explore subcision before jumping onto lasers.
I went to several providers in FL, MA and DC but was always presented with lasers as treatment choices. No one suggested subcision.
I found an experienced provider, Waseem Garbia, in Northern Virginia. Here is a synopsis of my treatments:
Jan 2019: subcision, by itself-helped a lot but atrophic scars were still visible (my before pictures were taken after a week after this treatment)
April 2019: subcision, with PRP-improved scars, but atrophic scars became visible once PRP dissipated.
August 2019: subcision, with filler-this showcased the most improvement (after pictures).
So far, I’m really happy with the results. I do wonder if I am now bound to fillers forever? It’s hard to predict. The fillers keep the scar from re-tethering. Perhaps, this will give collagen a chance to be built up in the newly created space.
Now that the scars are fully raised, surface treatments like RF microneedling seem more logical. It’s been a long and expensive process, so I think I will wait before doing anything else. If anyone has suggestions/wants to share their experience, I’m all ears :)
I went to several providers in FL, MA and DC but was always presented with lasers as treatment choices. No one suggested subcision.
I found an experienced provider, Waseem Garbia, in Northern Virginia. Here is a synopsis of my treatments:
Jan 2019: subcision, by itself-helped a lot but atrophic scars were still visible (my before pictures were taken after a week after this treatment)
April 2019: subcision, with PRP-improved scars, but atrophic scars became visible once PRP dissipated.
August 2019: subcision, with filler-this showcased the most improvement (after pictures).
So far, I’m really happy with the results. I do wonder if I am now bound to fillers forever? It’s hard to predict. The fillers keep the scar from re-tethering. Perhaps, this will give collagen a chance to be built up in the newly created space.
Now that the scars are fully raised, surface treatments like RF microneedling seem more logical. It’s been a long and expensive process, so I think I will wait before doing anything else. If anyone has suggestions/wants to share their experience, I’m all ears :)
Replies (5)
how much improvement did you have with each session and im currently post 1 month on my first subcision this past august the 1st. I still see no results, albeit i had 2 laser co2 sessions this summer. when did you see results after the 1st subcision?
Btw I think you have improved about 50-60 percent , I would wait (like you are doing) and then go in for another subcision (avoid laser for now) in about 3-6 months , about 2-3 more subcisions and some co2 laser sessions would make you look amazing. Very happy for you!
Like you, the first subcision didn't yield much improvement. And I waited a few months before getting the second one. The second gave me a 20-30% improvement from baseline. The final version gave me about a 50-60% improvement from baseline. These were done with a canula. I'm curious if the next subcision being done with a Nokor needle will make more of a difference. But I will wait.
Thank you for the suggestions!
mine were also done with a cannula . nokor is a bigger and more effective on DEEP -really deep scars, I think it would help you. are your deep scars all the way elevated at this point or no?
I feel like they are, although it could be because of the filler that they look elevated?
You can read my journey by clicking on my username. I went through a lot since I was 22 and at that time, there were no state of the art lasers, fillers, etc. I had to wait till in my late 30s to get treated properly. The journey with acne scarring never ends, I am sorry to report, as when to start to age, the scars resurface (but not as bad as before the treatments/procedures you have had).
So, frequent microneedling with RF or not, is the key for maintenance. I would say after the 6x of microneedlings with PRP (3) and then later with RF (3), after the 2x subcisions, they helped. The tethered scars retethered somewhat after the subcisions and I found that the microneedlings as mentioned helped the overall texture. Fillers are temporary but do help with shallower and smoother edged scars (rolling scars). It is very difficult to inject all scars perfectly as the scars are three dimensional. So, what did I do? I opted for Sculptra and I have had three vials so far, six weeks apart. They help volumenize the cheek area (where most of my scars are). If you stretch your skin and the scars "disappear" you are a good candidate for Sculptra as a volumenizer flattening out the scars. Then I just asked for Juvederm Voluma (done yesterday) which is a thicker filler to help the volume further. Meanwhile, the Sculptra I have had, are still doing its thing as we speak, for the overall volume and Voluma just gives it that final finish. When we scar like that, we lose collagen at that area and hence, the scars look deeper due to this reason and the tethering as well. Others may get the more permanent Bellafill but I personally have opted to stay away from this as the PMMA glass beads will shift downward as the face ages. Who knows what will happen when one ages?? You have heard and read of the horror stories here on RS. I will consider fat transfer later but due to some health issues, I cannot go for surgery now. It is overall cheaper than the fillers, if you add all the costs up. But again, go for the fillers first to see whether these will help smooth out your scars further with the volumnization. Then one can see whether a more invasive procedure like the fat transfer will work.
Thank you so much for your feedback, I really appreciate your insights. You've made tremendous progress :)
I agree with you that staying away from
Bellafill is for the best. I have tried Sculptra in the past and it didn't really do much for me, unfortunately. I suppose the RF microneedling after subcision to maintain the results is my best bet.
This experience has made me more introspective. It's a constant struggle to find perfection, and then a let down when I see my scars. But honestly, people have told me that they are not as prominent as I see them. At some point, I wonder if we just have to step back and accept ourselves.
Agree- it is so hard to accept though and all he damage done by this disease called acne. It is so depressing nd those that hve prfect skin cannot relate to the pain.
Your decision to go with subcision is the best for cystic acne scars. It may not appear to be so at first as we all want miracles but as time passes, you will see improvements. The RF microneedling is a step beyond the traditional microneedling and is well worth the investment. As I am Asian, I really should not have had the laser treatments but 20 years ago, I had no other options. Once your scars can stretch out without leaving a "pucker' still, then go for the volumnization either with Voluma or a fat transfer. Go research your best nurse injector and/or plastic surgeon. I find that society judges women more than men. I feel that you are able to get away with what you have now but if you want some more, go ahead. Your life, your choice. BTW, I am 6 days into the Voluma, and it has made more improvement at the malar hollows. (when our faces sag, it creates a hollow under the cheekbones) Not perfect but more improved. Just a tad more here and there of the filler.
Thank you so much for your feedback. Congrats on your improvement! From the review you posted, it looks a lot better now.
I agree with you, lasers really don't have much of an effect. Subcision with filler is the only thing that has made a significant improvement on my scarring and facial indentations.
Thank you. The journey was long and arduous. But again, today's medical technology and offerings are so much more than 30+ years ago. Curious to know which type of filler was used on you? Can you please share?
Sorry, just seeing this! It was Voluma
have any of you heard or tried suction after subcision ? i had subcision with filler done years ago by dr davin lim and was a waste of time ! in my eyes hes a fraud ! anyways , im going to give subcision another go and im going to use a suction devise afterwards . from what ive read , the suctioning prevents the scars from re-tethering
how many subcsions did you have though?
I had one done. Which is what he recommended. I guess my scars aren't too bad. Either way I feel Dr lim is a fraud.
why do you feel he is a fraud?
Has he treated you?
What!? Dr Lim is supposed to be the best
I have not tried suction after subcison. Please let us know if this is helpful if you get a chance to try it.
That's what I thought also. I can only speak of my own experience and I wouldn't recommend him to my worst enemy!
did the scars get worse? and how old are you? im scared to make my scars worse with subcision
Replies (1)