Peels, facials and skin procedures
Subcision for acne scars at Chamak Clinic, Chennai
A doctor-performed procedure that releases scars pulled down by bands.
From ₹3,500. The doctor gives your exact price for the area and number of sessions after the skin assessment, before anything is done.
Subcision for Acne Scars at a glance
- Sessions
- 1 to 3, four to six weeks apart
- Session time
- 30 to 60 minutes
- Downtime
- Bruising and swelling for about a week
- Results last
- Lasting improvement is common; top-up work is often advised
- Starting price
- From ₹3,500
- What is it?
- A small procedure under local anaesthetic in which a fine needle releases the fibrous bands that tether a depressed scar to the tissue below.
- How many sessions?
- Usually 1 to 3, four to six weeks apart, often combined with microneedling or a laser.
- How long does it last?
- Improvement can last for a long time, but scars can pull back in part, so the doctor often adds other treatments to keep the lift.
- Is it safe for Indian skin?
- Yes, when done by a doctor. It uses no heat, but bruising can leave a temporary mark, so sun care matters.
What is Subcision for Acne Scars?
Some acne scars look depressed because fibrous bands under the skin hold them down. Subcision is a minor procedure in which a doctor passes a fine needle just under the scar, in the plane beneath the skin, and cuts these bands so the scar can rise.
The space left under the scar fills with a small amount of blood and the body then lays down new tissue, which supports the scar. Subcision suits rolling scars and some broad boxcar scars. It is usually part of a plan with microneedling, peels, a laser or a filler.
Used for
What it can help with
- Targets the cause
Releases the bands that hold depressed scars down.
- Quick procedure
Usually under an hour, with no stitches.
- No heat
Gentler on pigment-prone skin than some lasers.
- Pairs with other treatments
Works well with microneedling, lasers or fillers.
- Long-lasting effect
New tissue under the scar helps hold the lift.
How does it work?
- Release
The needle cuts the fibrous bands that tether the scar to the deeper tissue.
- Lift
With the bands released, the depressed scar can rise toward the surface.
- Bleeding
A small amount of bleeding under the skin forms a clot that fills the space.
- New tissue
Over the next weeks the body lays down new collagen, which supports the lifted scar.
- Surface work
Microneedling, peels or a laser are often added afterwards to smooth the surface.
What happens during a session?
- Assessment
The doctor examines your scars, checks your medicines and marks the areas to treat.
- Numbing
Local anaesthetic is injected into and around the scars.
- Release
A needle is passed under each scar in a fan-like motion to cut the bands.
- Pressure
Pressure and a cold pack are applied to limit bruising.
- Aftercare
You get instructions and a plan for the next visit, often with microneedling.
Who is a good candidate?
- Rolling acne scars
- Broad, depressed boxcar scars that are tethered
- Scars that look worse when the skin is stretched
- People who want to combine release with microneedling or a laser
- Scars that have not improved enough with surface treatments alone
Is subcision for acne scars safe for Indian skin?
Subcision works under the skin and uses no heat, so it carries a low risk of the pigment changes seen with some lasers. The main issue for Indian skin is bruising, which can leave a brownish mark for some weeks. The doctor advises sun protection, avoids the procedure on active acne, and watches for any keloid tendency.
Who should delay or avoid it?
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Isotretinoin (acne tablets) in the last six months
- Blood thinners or a bleeding disorder (tell the doctor)
- Active acne on the area
- A tendency to form keloids or thick scars
- An active infection, cold sore or open wound on the area
- A tendency to bruise easily or heal poorly
The doctor checks your medicines and health before any procedure and may advise waiting or a different treatment.
Which treatment suits which acne scar
| Scar type | What it looks like | Treatments often used |
|---|---|---|
| Ice-pick | Narrow, deep, pit-like holes | TCA spot treatment (a controlled acid applied into each scar), punch techniques, a laser |
| Boxcar | Wide scars with sharp edges, shallow or deep | Microneedling, fractional laser, subcision for broad ones, fillers in selected scars |
| Rolling | Wave-like dips, with bands holding the skin down | Subcision first, then microneedling or a laser; fillers in selected scars |
| Mixed | A combination of the above | A planned course of two or three of the above |
Side effects and risks
Common and short-lived
- Bruising and swelling for about a week
- Tenderness and a feeling of tightness in the area
- Small lumps under the skin that soften over weeks
Uncommon
- Infection at a needle site
- Dark patches after bruising, mainly if the skin is not protected from sun
- Scar tissue that forms a lump or pulls the scar down again
- Nerve irritation or numbness for some weeks
Call the clinic on +91 90434 09465 if anything worries you after a session.
Results: what to expect
Swelling and bruising settle over about a week. The lift becomes visible over the following weeks, as the space under the scar fills with new tissue. Rolling and broad scars often look shallower; ice-pick scars change little with this procedure. The doctor usually plans a second step with microneedling or a laser to smooth the surface and to keep the scar from pulling back down.
Does it hurt?
The skin is numbed, so you feel the injections first and then pressure or a pulling sensation as the bands are released. The area is sore afterwards, like a bruise, for several days.
Subcision for Acne Scars cost in Chennai
The cost depends on your skin and your plan. What decides it:
- The number of scars and the area to be released.
- The number of sessions in your plan.
- Whether microneedling, a laser, PRP or a filler is combined.
At Chamak Clinic, Kandigai
From ₹3,500
Starting price; yours depends on the plan
- Consultation ₹500, paid at the clinic
- Your full price and number of sessions are told to you before treatment
- Treatments are billed at the clinic
Who does it
Dr Rohini K
How to prepare
- Stop blood-thinning medicines and supplements only if the doctor advises.
- Avoid alcohol for 2 days before.
- Avoid sun exposure and tanning for 2 weeks before.
- Do not schedule it near an important event, because of bruising.
- Tell the doctor about allergies to local anaesthetic.
Aftercare
- Use cold packs for the first day to limit swelling.
- Avoid painkillers that thin the blood unless the doctor says so.
- Sunscreen (SPF 50) every morning, reapplied outdoors.
- Do not massage or pick at the area unless the doctor tells you to.
- Sleep with your head slightly raised for the first night.
Home care: Scars & stretch marks on Chamak
Subcision for Acne Scars: questions
Will subcision work on all acne scars?
No. It suits rolling and broad tethered scars. Ice-pick scars need other methods. The doctor identifies your scar types at the first visit.
Is it painful?
The area is numbed, so the procedure is not painful, but the injections sting and the area is sore for days. A cold pack and a simple painkiller approved by the doctor help.
Will I have bruising?
Yes, it is expected and may last up to a week or two. Plan sessions with this in mind.
Can I have subcision and microneedling together?
Yes, they are often combined. Many doctors do subcision first and add microneedling a few weeks later after bruising settles.
Can scars come back down after subcision?
Some scars can partly pull back as the bands re-form. Follow-up treatments help hold the lift, which is why a plan is made rather than a single session.
Can I have it if I have active acne?
No. The doctor first controls the acne, because new pimples and scars can complicate the result.
How soon will I see a change?
Swelling goes down in a week or two. The full effect shows over about 4 to 8 weeks as new tissue forms.
Can I go to work the next day?
Most people can, but bruising may show. You can cover it with mineral make-up after the first day if the doctor allows.
Is subcision safe for the face?
Yes, when performed by a trained doctor. The doctor avoids areas near large vessels and nerves, and uses sterile technique.
Does subcision work for stretch marks or other scars?
It is used for some depressed scars from surgery or injury. For stretch marks, other treatments are usually preferred.
Do I need a consultation before a treatment?
Yes. Every treatment starts with a consultation. The doctor examines you and advises a procedure only if it suits you; many can be done the same day.
Related treatments
All treatments- MicroneedlingFine needles for acne scars, open pores and texture; with PRP where advised.
- Fractional CO2 laserLaser resurfacing for pitted acne scars, chickenpox scars and rough texture.
- Dermal fillersRestore volume in cheeks, lips, chin and under the eyes.
- Chemical peelMedical-grade peels for acne, marks, uneven tone and dull skin.
Not sure if subcision for acne scars is right for you?
A consultation comes first: Dr Rohini K examines you, explains the options that suit you, and tells you the plan and the price before anything is done.
Far from Chennai? Consult a skin doctor online: photos and a chat, and a prescription when one is right.