Subcision (Rolling Scars)

Service Description

WHAT IT IS Subcision uses a fine needle or blunt cannula passed beneath a rolling scar to cut the fibrous bands tethering the skin down to the deeper tissue. Once released, the skin lifts to its natural level, and the healing response lays down collagen in the space created. WHY PEOPLE CHOOSE IT Rolling scars look like broad, shallow depressions with sloping edges, and no amount of surface treatment corrects them — because the problem is not the surface at all, it is a band pulling the skin down from underneath. Releasing that band is the only thing that addresses the actual cause. WHAT WE AIM FOR Released tethering with the skin lifting to a more level position, and progressive improvement as collagen forms in the released space. WHO IT SUITS · Broad, shallow rolling scars with sloping edges · Scars that flatten when the skin is stretched · Scarring unimproved by microneedling or peels · Tethered scars anywhere on the face · As part of a combined scar plan TREATMENT DETAILS Appointment: 45–60 minutes Discomfort: Local anaesthetic used Downtime: Significant bruising and swelling for 7–14 days First results: Once bruising settles; builds over months Sessions: 1–3, four to eight weeks apart Note: Plan around two weeks of visible bruising FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How do I know if my scars are the rolling type? A useful indicator: stretch the skin gently at the scar. If the depression largely disappears, it is likely tethered and subcision is appropriate. If it stays, it is more likely a boxcar or ice-pick scar. Dr Selvi will assess this properly at consultation. How bad is the bruising really? Substantial — this is the treatment on this list with the most visible recovery. Expect significant bruising for one to two weeks. Book it when you have a quiet fortnight, not before an event. Can the tethering come back? Sometimes the bands partially re-form, which is why more than one session is often needed and why combining with filler in the released space can hold the improvement better. What result can I realistically expect? Improvement, not erasure. No treatment removes acne scarring completely, and any clinic telling you otherwise is misleading you. A realistic outcome from a well-planned course is typically a 40 to 70 per cent improvement — the difference between scarring that is the first thing someone notices and scarring you have to look for. Why do I need more than one type of treatment? Because acne scars are not all the same. Ice-pick, boxcar and rolling scars have different structures and respond to different techniques. Applying one treatment to every scar type is the single most common reason scar treatment underdelivers. Do I need my acne under control first? Yes, absolutely. Treating scars while new ones are still forming wastes your money. Dr Selvi will get the active acne controlled before starting scar work — and will say so even if it delays the treatment you came in for. Is scar treatment suitable for darker skin? Yes, with appropriate technique and settings. The main consideration is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which is more likely in richly pigmented skin. Dr Selvi may prime your skin, adjust the approach, or space sessions further apart. How important is sun protection? Critical. Daily broad-spectrum SPF 50 throughout the course and for months afterwards. Freshly treated skin pigments readily, and sun exposure is the most common cause of a disappointing scar treatment result. Who will treat me? All treatments at Dr Selvi Clinic are carried out by a doctor, following a face-to-face consultation and an assessment of your suitability. BOOKING Book online, or start with the free 15-minute initial consultation if you are unsure which treatment is right for you. Prices are a guide and may vary according to your personalised treatment plan.