The 2026 split-face trial studied adults with bilateral atrophic acne scars, meaning depressed scars eligible for subcision on both cheeks. It did not include people with recent oral isotretinoin use or a history of hypertrophic scarring or keloids. Subcision is a procedure that cuts tight fibers pulling depressed scars downward. Suction was added afterward to help keep the released tissue from reattaching during healing.
Medical information disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician or other qualified health professional about symptoms, medications, tests, or treatment decisions.
Table of Contents
- How did the split-face design work?
- Who matched the study group?
- Who was not studied?
- What did the results show and what are the limits?
How did the split-face design work?
Each participant served as their own control. Both cheeks received subcision, then only one randomized side received 10 suction sessions, according to the ResearchSquare preprint by Shi et al.
described in the preprint record. That design makes comparison direct. Any difference between cheeks reflects the added suction, not differences in age, skin type, or healing.
Who matched the study group?
The study enrolled adults with matching depressed scars on both sides of the face. The full-text protocol describes people with atrophic scars suitable for cheek subcision, summarized in the trial full text.
In practice, subcision fits rolling or tethered scars that look worse when skin is stretched. Those scars have fibrous bands that a needle can release.
Who was not studied?
People who had used oral isotretinoin within 6 months before enrollment were excluded. People with hypertrophic scarring or keloid formation were also excluded. Ask about these points before booking a consult: The last point reflects current clinical guidance from Revelus Dermatology, explained on the subcision procedure page.
- depressed scars on both cheeks that a dermatologist judges suitable for subcision
- no oral isotretinoin in the past 6 months
- no personal history of raised scars or keloids
- no active breakouts, bleeding disorder, or raised scar type needing medical review
What did the results show and what are the limits?
Both sides improved. Physician- and patient-rated improvement scores were significantly higher on the suction-treated side, with p=.002 and p=.026 respectively, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine PubMed abstract in the PubMed trial abstract.
The tradeoff is size and follow-up. The protocol powered for at least 18 subjects to detect moderate-to-mild change, and blinded ratings showed no difference at 1 and 4 months in the preprint phase. Ask your dermatologist how many suction visits, what downtime to expect, and whether your scar mix matches the rolling, tethered type tested.
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- The 160-Participant Acne Scar Combination Trial Published in 2026: Who Was Studied and Who Was Not for People With Atrophic Acne Scars
- Objective vs Patient-Rated Results in the 2026 Subcision Trial: How People With Atrophic Acne Scars Can Avoid Overreading the Headline