SUBCISION - ACNE SCAR RELEASE CARDIFF

About this treatment

Subcision is one of the most clinically effective treatments for acne scarring — specifically rolling scars and tethered boxcar scars — and one of the most underused. If your acne scars appear as indented pits, divots or shadows that do not smooth when you stretch the skin, subcision is very likely part of the solution. HOW IT WORKS When acne scars heal, the collagen produced is structurally different from normal skin collagen — and critically, fibrous bands of this scar collagen often extend downward from the base of the scar to the deeper tissue layers beneath, physically tethering the scar and pulling it down. This tethering creates the characteristic shadow and depression that makes rolling and boxcar scars so visible. Subcision releases these fibrous bands using a fine needle or cannula inserted beneath the scar — severing the tethering connections and allowing the scar to lift back toward the skin surface. The controlled trauma of the procedure also triggers a collagen induction response in the treated area, stimulating new, healthier collagen production that progressively fills and improves the scar over the following weeks and months. WHICH SCARS DOES SUBCISION TREAT? Subcision is specifically indicated for rolling scars and tethered boxcar scars — scars that appear indented and do not smooth when the skin is gently stretched. It is not suitable for ice pick scars, raised or keloid scars, red or pigmented post-acne marks, or stretched scars. RESULTS AND PROTOCOL Improvement is often visible within weeks of the first session. Final results develop over one to three months as the skin remodels, with continued improvement for up to a year following treatment. Most patients require two sessions, though some may benefit from additional sessions depending on scar depth and distribution. Subcision is almost always combined with other treatments for optimal results — including medical microneedling, chemical peels and PRP — as subcision addresses tethering while complementary treatments address surface texture, pigmentation and overall skin quality simultaneously. DOWNTIME Mild redness, sensitivity and occasional bruising for a few days following treatment. There is no significant downtime. Performed by NMC and GMC-registered medical professionals at Sebastian Rose, 39 Charles Street, Cardiff.