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Subcision is a minor, minimally invasive procedure where a fine needle or cannula is inserted beneath depressed acne scars to release the fibrous bands pulling the skin down, allowing it to lift and stimulating new collagen. It works best for rolling scars, not ice-pick scars. In Malaysia, a session typically costs RM600–1,500, with bruising settling in about a week.
Clinic Cleo®
Subcision
Deep Acne Scar Treatment
Rolling acne scars can leave skin looking wavy and pulled-in, and surface treatments often can’t fix what’s holding it down. Subcision treats the cause: a fine needle releases the fibrous bands tethering the scar, so skin can lift and rebuild collagen. At CLEO Clinic, LCP-certified doctors first confirm your scar type, then recommend a suitable plan.
Subcision (short for subcutaneous incisionless surgery) is a doctor-performed technique for treating depressed, tethered acne scars. Instead of working on the skin’s surface like a peel or laser, it treats the problem underneath: the fibrous strands of scar tissue that anchor the skin to deeper layers.
A helpful way to picture it is a tent pulled down by a tight rope. No amount of surface treatment fixes the dip while the rope is still pulling. Subcision cuts the rope, so the skin above can rise back toward the level of the surrounding skin.
A single subcision session in Malaysia typically costs RM600 to RM1,500, though some clinics quote lower for small areas and higher for full-cheek treatment.
| Factor | Effect on Price |
|---|---|
| Area treated | A few individual scars costs less than both full cheeks |
| Technique | Cannula-based subcision can cost more than needle-based, due to specialised equipment |
| Number of sessions | Many people need more than one; packages lower the per-session cost |
| Combination plan | Adding laser, filler, or a skin booster raises the total |
| Clinic and doctor | Experience and location affect pricing |
Budget for the plan, not just one session, since subcision is frequently paired with other treatments. Book a consultation for a quote based on your specific scars.
Your doctor examines your scars, confirms they’re the tethered type, and checks your medical history. Two things matter most: your acne should be under control, and you should tell your doctor about any blood-thinning medication. If you’re still breaking out, it’s usually better to settle that first, our guide on when to start scar treatment after active breakouts explains why.
The area is cleaned and numbed with local anaesthetic. The doctor then passes the needle or cannula beneath each scar in a fanning motion to release the bands. Most people feel pressure and mild discomfort rather than sharp pain. A session usually takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on how much area is treated.
Expect some redness and swelling straight away. Some doctors follow with a soothing product or combine subcision with another treatment in the same visit.
Subcision is minimally invasive, but it is a small procedure beneath the skin, so a short recovery period is normal:
Aftercare basics: avoid pressing or picking at treated areas, skip strenuous exercise for a few days, use sunscreen, and follow your doctor’s instructions on cleansing and medication. Sleeping position can matter after facial procedures, see our guide on how to sleep properly during acne scar treatment recovery. To protect your results, also read how to prevent new acne during scar treatment.
Honest expectations matter here, because results vary considerably from person to person. The Scars, Burns & Healing review above found improvement after subcision ranging widely, from 10% to 100% across the studies it examined, which reflects real differences in scar type, technique, and patient. In a small clinical study of 15 patients with rolling acne scars, most patients and independent observers rated improvement at 40 to 70%, with only pain, swelling, and bruising reported, and one case of pigmentation at the treated sites.
What that means in practice:
A small pilot study of cannula-based subcision reported good to very good improvement in most of its 8 patients, using a single entry point per side to limit pain and scarring risk, though a study that small can’t settle the question of which technique is best.
| Treatment | What It Targets | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Subcision | Fibrous bands pulling scars down | Rolling and tethered boxcar scars |
| Fractional laser | Surface texture and collagen remodelling | Boxcar scars, overall texture |
| Microneedling | Collagen induction across the skin | Mild to moderate scarring, texture |
| Rejuran S | Skin repair and collagen within scars | Shallow to moderate depressed scars |
| Dermal filler | Adds volume under a depression | Temporary lift of individual scars |
| TCA CROSS | Focal acid on the scar | Ice-pick scars |
Subcision addresses the cause of the tethering; the others improve texture or add volume. That’s why they’re usually combined rather than treated as competitors.
Because subcision releases the scar but doesn’t resurface skin or replace lost collagen by itself, doctors commonly pair it with:
Sequencing matters, since stacking treatments too close together raises irritation risk. For the bigger picture of what your plan might look like, see our overview of the best acne scar treatments in Kuala Lumpur.
Subcision is generally considered safe when done by a trained doctor, but it isn’t risk-free:
Choosing an LCP-certified doctor in a MOH-registered clinic reduces the chance of complications, since technique and depth control matter a great deal with this procedure.
Subcision is generally not suitable if you have:
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Every patient’s scar type, skin condition, and goals are different, which is why subcision starts with a proper in-person assessment. Our medical team will examine your scars and recommend a plan suited specifically to you.
Book a consultation with CLEO Clinic today to find out if subcision is right for you.
A minor procedure where a fine needle or cannula is used beneath depressed scars to break the fibrous bands pulling the skin down, letting the skin rise and encouraging new collagen to form.
Local anaesthetic is used, so most people feel pressure and mild discomfort rather than sharp pain. Tenderness afterwards is usually mild.
Typically RM600 to RM1,500 per session, depending on area treated, technique, and clinic. Some clinics quote less for very small areas.
It varies with scar depth and extent. Many people need more than one session, spaced a few weeks apart, and it's often combined with other treatments. Your doctor will estimate this at consultation.
Some lift can be seen immediately, but swelling and bruising hide it for about a week. Collagen remodelling then builds gradually over weeks to a few months.
Swelling and redness usually settle in a few days, and bruising typically fades in about a week. Most people return to normal activities quickly.
Generally not well. Ice-pick scars are narrow and deep rather than tethered from below, so they usually need other methods such as TCA CROSS.
The improvement can be long-lasting, but not guaranteed permanent: some scars may re-tether over time, which is one reason subcision is often paired with collagen-stimulating treatments.
It can, if done on the wrong scar type or with poor technique, for example causing pigmentation change or nodules. That's why proper scar assessment and an experienced doctor matter.
It's usually best to get active acne under control first, since inflamed skin raises the risk of complications and new scarring.
