In the 2026 subcision trial, blinded scar counts showed no lasting gain from adding suction, while patients reported faster early improvement. For rolling acne scars, wavy depressions up to about 5mm from tethered bands, suction looked quicker but not better at four months. Subcision releases those bands to lift skin and support remodeling. The split-face trial appeared in Dermatologic Surgery in October 2026 and tested suction to prevent redepression, according to Ovid/Wolters Kluwer in the October 2026 issue listing.
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
- What each side of the face received
- Why ratings split at one month
- How far can four-month data go?
- How to read the headline without overreading
What each side of the face received
The Northwestern protocol gave one subcision to both sides. Then one side received ten suction sessions. Photos at baseline, one month, and four months were scored with ASSS, ASIGS, modified QGSG, and subject preference, as reported by the Northwestern team in the Research Square preprint.
Both sides improved. The design tested whether suction kept released scars from reattaching. That makes the comparison about added benefit, not whether subcision works.
Why ratings split at one month
Blinded dermatologist raters found no difference between subcision alone and subcision with suction at one or four months, as reported by the Northwestern team on Research Square. Scar counts, grades, and severity scores moved together on both sides. Subjects scored the suction side 37% improved versus 24% for subcision alone at one month (p=0.04). At four months the gap was no longer significant (p=0.37).
They preferred combination 50% versus 21% at one month and 43% versus 21% at four months. The 2026 abstract reports both methods improved scars while physician- and patient-rated improvement scores favored suction (p=.002 and p=.026), according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine in the PubMed trial record. That suggests raters saw a global change missed by strict scar counting.
How far can four-month data go?
Follow-up was short and small. The protocol covered 28 treatment areas with 154 treatments tracked to four months, with no lasting blinded edge, as reported by the Northwestern team on Research Square. Four months cannot show whether suction changes retethering over years.
A separate rolling-scar pilot involved only five patients, and only half felt more satisfied with the treated side at week 36, according to a separate Research Square report. Small samples make early patient enthusiasm less stable. A temporary perception lead is not the same as durable correction.
How to read the headline without overreading
People seeking only longer-term reduction may choose subcision without burdensome suction, the authors state in the full-text report in the Research Square PDF. Suction meant ten extra sessions.
Headlines calling suction superior skip that trade-off. Use this check before booking: If longer-term reduction is the only goal, subcision alone avoids extra visits without losing measured benefit.
- Ask whether the goal is faster early appearance or lasting scar-score change.
- Weigh ten suction visits against a brief early perception gain.
- Judge results at four months, not one month, before calling one method superior.
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