(713) 370 4433
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(713) 370 4433
Schedule a consultation

Acne Scar Subcision
in Houston, TX

At Premier Plastic Surgery in Houston, TX, acne scar subcision offers a minimally invasive solution to release depressed acne scars and restore smoother skin. Performed by award-winning surgeon Dr. Christopher Hankins, this precise technique targets the fibrous bands beneath the skin that pull scars downward – helping you rediscover confidence in your complexion.

What Is Acne Scar Subcision?

Subcision is a minimally invasive in-office procedure used to treat depressed acne scars – the rolling and some boxcar scars that create shadowy dips and an uneven surface across the cheeks, temples, or jawline. A fine needle or specialized instrument is inserted just beneath the skin to release the tough fibrous bands (called tethers) that anchor a scar to the deeper tissue.

Once these bands are released, the scar is no longer pulled downward, allowing the skin to lift and level naturally. The controlled micro-trauma also stimulates your body’s own healing response, encouraging fresh collagen to build beneath the treated area over the following weeks.

Understanding
Acne Scars

Roughly one in four people who experience acne (about 25%) develop some degree of scarring. Scars form when acne lesions penetrate deeply, damaging collagen and elastin, so the body repairs the wound with fibrous tissue that pulls the surface down. Understanding your scar type is essential to choosing the right treatment.

Types of Acne Scars 

  • Rolling scars – broad, shallow, wave-like depressions with sloping edges that give the skin an undulating look. These respond especially well to subcision because they are held down by fibrous tethers.
  • Boxcar scars – round or oval depressions with well-defined, angular edges and a flat bottom, similar to chickenpox scars. They can be shallow or deep.
  • Ice pick scars – narrow, deep, V-shaped pits that resemble small puncture marks extending into the dermis.

Because depressed scars are anchored beneath the surface, topical creams and serums simply cannot reach them – effective treatment often requires addressing the problem from below, which is exactly what subcision is designed to do.

How Subcision Works

The science of subcision is elegantly simple. Depressed acne scars persist because collagen bands pull the skin’s surface down toward deeper tissue. Subcision interrupts this mechanical tethering in two ways.

  •  Immediate release – a fine needle is inserted beneath the scar and manipulated in a fanning motion to break the fibrous bands, allowing the depressed skin to rise back toward its natural level.
  • Collagen stimulation –the space that opens fills with blood and forms a clot, triggering the body’s wound-healing cascade and the production of new collagen and elastin, which fills in beneath the scar for lasting support and continued improvement.
This dual action – mechanical release plus collagen stimulation – is what makes subcision so effective for rolling and tethered scars that other surface treatments struggle to address.

The Subcision
Procedure

Subcision is performed comfortably in our Pearland office as an outpatient treatment. Here is a general overview of the process.

Consultation and Assessment

Dr. Hankins examines your skin, assesses the type and severity of your scars, discusses your medical history and goals, and maps out a personalized plan. He may photograph the treatment area and explain whether subcision alone or a combination of therapies will best serve you.

Numbing the Area

The area is cleansed, and a local anesthetic is applied to keep you comfortable throughout the process.

Performing the Subcision

Dr. Hankins introduces a specialized needle through a tiny incision beside each targeted scar, using precise, sweeping movements to release the fibrous bands anchoring it.

Is the Procedure Painful?

During the session, you can expect to feel pressure or a slight tugging sensation as the tethers are released, but the numbing cream and local anesthetic keep discomfort to a minimum. The procedure typically takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on the number and extent of scars treated.
You may notice mild swelling and some bruising forming shortly afterward – a normal, expected sign that the healing response has been activated. Dr. Hankins and his team walk you through each step and remain available afterward should any questions arise.

Recovery and Aftercare

One of subcision’s biggest advantages is its short recovery. Because it is minimally invasive, most patients return to their usual routine within 24–48 hours.
  • Expect swelling, tenderness, and bruising that typically peak within the first day or two and then steadily resolve.
  • Apply cool compresses, sleep with your head slightly elevated, and avoid strenuous activity for a short period to minimize swelling.
  • Keep the area clean and follow the specific aftercare instructions provided by Dr. Hankins.
  • Avoid harsh products and protect your skin from sun exposure with a high-SPF sunscreen to prevent hyperpigmentation and support healing.
  • Bruising usually fades within one to two weeks; collagen remodeling and continued refinement occur over the following weeks to months.
Dr. Hankins may recommend follow-up treatments or complementary therapies to enhance your results.

Who Is a Candidate
for Acne Scar
Subcision?

Subcision is best suited to individuals bothered by depressed acne scars, particularly rolling scars and shallow to moderate boxcar scars. You may be a strong candidate if you:

  • Have rolling or tethered acne scars that shadow and dimple the skin
  • Are in generally good skin health with realistic expectations
  • Have finished active, inflammatory acne breakouts
  • Want to improve skin texture without extended downtime
  • Are not currently pregnant or nursing

Subcision is less effective for very narrow ice pick scars, which may benefit from complementary approaches. During your consultation, Dr. Hankins carefully evaluates the whole picture – your scar type, skin quality, and personal goals – and only recommends treatments that are genuinely in your best interest.

Benefits of Acne Scar Subcision

Subcision offers many advantages for patients frustrated by stubborn depressed scars that haven’t responded to creams, serums, or over-the-counter solutions.

By releasing the tethers that dimple the surface, depressed scars lift, and the skin’s overall terrain becomes more even. Where light once caught in the shadows of rolling scars, the surface reflects more uniformly, softening how noticeable the scarring is in everyday lighting. As collagen remodeling gradually progresses, the skin looks and feels softer, smoother, and more even over time.
Subcision is not just a temporary fix. Because it stimulates new collagen production, the improvements continue to develop and can be long-lasting. As freshly generated collagen matures beneath the treated scars, it helps maintain smoother contours. Some patients achieve their desired result in a single session, while deeper or more extensive scarring may benefit from a series of treatments. With proper skin care and sun protection, results can be enjoyed for years.
For patients who want meaningful scar improvement without the commitment of major surgery, subcision is an appealing middle ground. Performed in-office under local anesthesia with only small needle punctures and no large incisions, it involves far less downtime and reduced risk than surgical scar revision. This makes it an excellent choice for busy Houston-area patients.

Combining with
Other Treatments

Subcision often delivers its best results as part of a comprehensive scar-treatment plan. It may be paired with complementary treatments such as:
  • Microneedling with RF – combines radiofrequency energy with microneedling to improve texture, stimulate collagen, and address residual surface irregularities, fine lines, and enlarged pores after subcision lifts depressed scars.
  • Laser resurfacing – uses concentrated light energy to remove damaged outer skin layers and stimulate new collagen growth, improving overall skin tone and texture.
  • Chemical peels – apply a solution to exfoliate the top layers of skin, revealing smoother, more evenly toned skin underneath and addressing superficial imperfections.
Dr. Hankins designs each combination plan individually, ensuring the approach matches your specific scarring, skin type, and goals.

Cost of Acne Scar Subcision in Houston, TX

The cost of acne scar subcision in Houston typically ranges from $500 to $1,500 per session, depending on the size of the treated area, the number and severity of scars, whether the treatment is combined with other therapies, and the total number of recommended sessions.
We offer flexible financing options, including CareCredit and Cherry financing, to help make your procedure accessible. The best way to receive an accurate figure is a personalized evaluation – contact us to request your custom quote.
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Choose Premier Plastic
Surgery for Your Acne
Scar Subcision

When it comes to something as personal as your skin, experience and expertise matter.

Expert Care from an Award-Winning Surgeon

Dr. Christopher Hankins is an award-winning surgeon known for delivering natural-looking results with minimal downtime. His philosophy is rooted in evaluating each patient as a whole – not just the isolated concern – and recommending solutions truly in their best interests.

Personalized Treatment Plans

Every treatment plan is tailored to your unique scar types, skin concerns, and aesthetic goals, ensuring effective and satisfying results.

Advanced Techniques

We prioritize the latest innovations in aesthetic medicine to provide safe, efficient procedures with natural-looking results – backed by exceptional after-care.
Conveniently located in the Houston area, our office proudly serves patients from Pearland, Lake Jackson, Clear Lake, Friendswood, Manvel, and the surrounding communities of South Houston.
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Frequently Asked Questions

It varies. Some patients see excellent results after a single session, while deeper or more widespread scarring may benefit from a series of treatments spaced several weeks apart. Dr. Hankins will recommend a plan tailored to your scars during your consultation.
You may notice some immediate lifting, with smoother texture becoming apparent as swelling and bruising subside. Significant improvement develops over the following weeks to months as new collagen forms, with continued enhancement over time.
Yes, subcision is generally safe and effective for all skin types. Patients with darker skin tones may have a slightly higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which Dr. Hankins will discuss along with strategies to mitigate it.
Very little. Most patients return to normal activities quickly, though mild swelling and bruising may last one to two weeks.

Ready to Reveal
Smoother Skin?

Don’t let acne scars define how you feel about your reflection. Discover how acne scar subcision at Premier Plastic Surgery can help restore smooth, confident skin.
Call or text (713) 370-4433 today, or schedule your consultation online at pearlandpps.com/contact.

Appointments are required. Confirmation with your appointment date, time, and address will be sent by text from 713-370-4433.

(713) 370 4433
Schedule a consultation