Subcision is a minor surgical procedure, also known as subcutaneous incisional surgery, used to treat depressed cutaneous scars and wrinkles. It involves inserting a special hypodermic needle through a small puncture in the skin to release the underlying scar tissue.
Understanding Subcision in Detail
Here's a breakdown of what subcision entails:
How Subcision Works
- Needle Insertion: A hypodermic needle is carefully inserted just beneath the skin’s surface through a puncture.
- Breaking Scar Tissue: The needle is then used to break up the fibrous bands that are tethering the scar to the underlying tissue. These bands are what cause the skin to appear depressed, creating a scar or wrinkle.
- Releasing Tension: By releasing these fibrous bands, the skin is allowed to rise back to its normal position.
- New Collagen Production: This also triggers the body’s natural healing response, which stimulates the production of new collagen, further improving the skin's appearance over time.
Common Uses of Subcision
- Acne Scars: Subcision is effective in treating rolling and boxcar acne scars. These types of scars cause depressions in the skin.
- Wrinkles: Depressed wrinkles, often caused by scar tissue pulling down on the skin, can be effectively addressed with subcision.
- Other Depressed Scars: Any scar that appears sunken or tethered to the underlying tissue may be treated using subcision.
What to Expect During a Subcision Procedure
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Anesthesia | Usually local anesthesia is used to numb the treatment area. |
| Procedure Time | Typically, a subcision procedure takes between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the treatment area. |
| Recovery | Some bruising and swelling are common after the procedure and usually resolve within a week. |
| Results | Results develop gradually over weeks or months as collagen production is stimulated. |
Benefits of Subcision
- Minimally Invasive: It involves no major incisions, requiring only small needle punctures.
- Effective for Various Scars: It can treat different types of depressed scars and wrinkles.
- Long-Lasting Results: By stimulating new collagen growth, the improvements from subcision tend to be long-lasting.
Important Considerations
- Multiple Sessions: Sometimes, multiple subcision sessions may be needed for optimal results, especially with deeper or more complex scars.
- Professional Administration: It's important to have the procedure performed by a qualified dermatologist or plastic surgeon to minimize risks and optimize results.
In summary, subcision is a surgical technique that releases underlying scar tissue, improving the appearance of depressed scars and wrinkles by promoting natural healing.
