How Much Does a Subcision Cost?


Written by:  Howmuchisit.org Staff

A subcision is a cosmetic procedure that correct deep scars caused by acne or other skin conditions.

To understand why a subcision would work, we have to first understand the anatomy of an acne scar.

Rolling acne scars and boxcar acne scars are depressed scars, which means the scars are below the surface of the skin.  The reason why they are depressed is that there are fibrous bands underneath the skin that are pulling down the surface of the skin.

The goal with a subcision is by inserting a needle through the surface of the skin and cutting out the fibrous scar tissue pulling down the surface skin.  This, in turn, allows the skin to be lifted since it isn’t “anchored” anymore.

How much does a subcision for acne scars cost?

On average, be prepared to pay $150 to $300 per treatment without insurance.  Since more than one treatment is needed, it is best to assume that you will need a minimum of three sessions, which can bring the total to more than $450 to $900.  The number of sessions will depend on your condition, the number of scars being treated and doctor’s recommendations.

At Lakeview Dermatology, the cost of a subcision is anywhere from $150 to $400 per treatment depending on the number of scars treated.

On this forum thread at Acne.org, members paid an average of $175 per session.

Subcision overview

A subcision is usually performed by a dermatologist inside their office, but it may also be available at many local plastic surgery offices.  It’s best performed multiple times, often weeks apart and can take months to see desirable results.

During the procedure, a small needle punctures the skin, cutting through the scar tissue, allowing the needle to pull down the surface area of the skin.  This allows the scar to be released and heal over time.

The length of treatment takes around 15 to 30 minutes.  Afterward, the patient is able to go home immediately.

What are the extra costs?

A local anesthesia may be charged separately from the estimates mentioned above.  This could be an additional $100 to $200.

Most doctors claim it takes upwards of three to six sessions before noticeable results are noticed.  As mentioned, be prepared to go in for more than one session.

In some circumstances, a subcision can be combined with fillers, such as Restylane or Volbella, and/or resurfacing lasers, adding hundreds to the total cost.

Tips to know:

Even when a local anesthetic is used, patients still experience a mild to moderate pain during the procedure.

It is important to note that a subcision is a safe and simple procedure, but it is not completely free of risk.  You could experience bruising, pain, rough scars, and/or redness in the treatment area for a few days right after the treatment.

A subcision often eliminates scars completely, but there are instances where a scar can’t be removed.  This is due to the severity of each patient’s scars.

According to Dr. Harold Kaplan, MD on RealSelf.com, a subcision works best for an acne scar where the depression is wider than 1/4 of an inch.

The recovery time, for most patients, is very minimal.  In fact, after the procedure is complete, women can apply makeup to cover any noticeable bruises.

How can I save money?

Since there’s a good chance you will need more than one treatment, see if you can buy sessions in bulk to save.

Many offices are more than happy to provide a cash discount if you pay in full.

Even if you’re loyal to one office, compare rates with two to three other offices in your area.  Many offices will either list their prices on their website or offer a ballpark quote over the phone.


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