Subcision for Acne Scars
At DRS Skincare Hamilton, ON
| Treatment | Subcision for Acne Scars |
| Indications | Scarring |
| Treatment Recovery | 1-5 days |
| # Of Treatments Required | Varies |
| Best Results Seen | 1-4 weeks after last session |
*estimate of sessions to be determined in consultation
Smooth Your Skin & Say Goodbye to Acne Scars for Good
Acne breakouts can leave more than just emotional scars—they can leave physical reminders long after the breakouts have healed. If you’re struggling with acne scars, subcision treatment at DRS Skincare in Hamilton, Ontario, could be the solution you need.
This minimally invasive procedure is effective in treating depressed (atrophic) acne scars, including rolling scars and boxcar scars, especially when combined with other procedures. By breaking the fibrous bands that pull the skin downward, the subcision allows the skin to smooth out naturally.
What is Subcision?
Subcision is a simple in-office procedure that treats depressed scars caused by:
- Acne
- Chickenpox
- Surgical procedures
- Skin trauma
The term “subcision” comes from “sub-” (underneath) and “cision” (cutting). Using a fine needle or cannula, our dermatology team gently releases the fibrous bands anchoring the scarred skin, allowing it to lift and regenerate naturally.
Am I a Good Candidate for Subcision Treatment?
Subcision works best for depressed acne scars, including:
- Rolling scars (wide, shallow scars with soft edges)
- Boxcar scars (defined edges and sharp depressions)
At present, it is not as useful for ice-pick scars. As a stand-alone treatment, the results can be modest. When combined with other therapies, subcision can lead to better results.
At DRS Skincare, we customize acne scar treatment by combining subcision with other advanced techniques, such as:
- TCA Cross – A precise chemical peel to improve deep scars
- Collagen-stimulating fillers (e.g., hyperdilute Radiesse, Sculptra) to enhance skin volume
- Radiofrequency microneedling (Morpheus8) (learn more)
- Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing (discover CO2 laser benefits)
During your personalized consultation, our experts will assess your scars and determine the best approach for your skin type and concerns.
Does Subcision for Acne Scars Hurt?
Discomfort is minimal since we use numbing techniques before the procedure. Most patients report only mild soreness afterward.
What is the Recovery Time After Subcision?
Healing is quick and easy, but you may experience:
- Mild swelling and bruising (lasting up to one week)
- In cases where significant subcision is performed, bruising can be dramatic and should be considered when planning downtime.
- Cold compresses or vascular lasers can reduce bruising
- Minimal downtime in most cases – Most patients return to work immediately
- Safe to use makeup (avoiding punctured areas)
We provide customized post-treatment skincare recommendations to promote healing and enhance results.
How Many Subcision Treatments Do I Need?
Results vary depending on the presentation. Most patients need at least four sessions spaced six weeks apart for optimal results. As the skin heals and produces new collagen and elastin, scars become less noticeable. Results are long-lasting, provided the fibrous bands do not re-anchor.
Schedule Your Acne Scar Treatment in Hamilton, ON
Ready to take the next step toward smoother, scar-free skin? Contact DRS Skincare at (905) 524-1712 to book your acne scar consultation in Hamilton, Ontario.
Location: dDRS Skincare, Hamilton, ON
Appointments: Call (905) 524-1712
Let us help you reclaim your confidence with subcision acne scar treatment!
Treating acne scarring is challenging, especially when you’re dealing with ice pick scars, as in this case. We use a multi modal approach to treat these and did quite well over time. This approach consisted of TCA CROSS, which works fairly well for ice pick scars, followed by subcision, fractional CO2 laser, RF microneedling, and PRP, all done in one session. We did four sessions separated by one to two months. Collagen-stimulating fillers such as hyperdilute Radiesse or Sculptra could have been added to further enhance results if the patient desired. Importantly, results vary widely. There is no perfect treatment at the moment. Patience is critical. It does take time to see results. Customization is also key. We will create plans specific to our patients’ skin concerns to get the best possible results.
This is subcision, a treatment we do when managing acne scars to help release bound-down scar tissue. Often it’s followed by collagen stimulator, in this case hyperdilute Radiesse to help build further collagen. The white material you’re seeing on the cheeks is TCA cross to help with ice pick scars. Often we follow this with lasers and microneedling to get the best results. Consultation is key to customize your treatment plan.
Hi guys. Here’s an example of an acne scar patient we treated recently with TCA Cross to help with ice pick and boxcar scars, followed by subcision to help release scar tissue from underneath, and finally, fractional CO2 with PRP to further enhance scar reduction. Keep in mind, this was all done in one session, and the before and afters are taken one month apart, and we expect better results with more treatment and more time. Keep in mind the following principles if you are going to undergo an acne scar reduction journey. Number one, multimodal therapies tend to give you a better result with a strategy than just doing one type of treatment alone. Number two, patience is required. Time is needed to see the best results, and multiple sessions. And number three, responses vary between individuals.
Meet Subcision, a technique we use to help improve acne scars. Typically, when you have an acne scar, there’s a fibrotic band pulling down on your skin, giving your skin a depressed appearance. With Subcision, we help break apart that scar tissue, lifting your skin back up to normal. In this procedure, we enter the skin via needle, break apart the scar tissue, giving you that lift. Often, we’ll combine it with lasers, radiofrequency microneedling, and filler products such as Radiesse or Sculptra to give you even better results.
