In the 2026 subcision trial, both objective scar measures and patient ratings improved, but suction-added sides scored higher with doctors and patients. The results cover 27 people with bilateral depressed atrophic scars, not people with raised scars. Subcision means a cannula releases tight bands under a depressed scar. Atrophic scars sit below the surrounding skin surface after acne heals.
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 the trial compared
- Why ratings and scar counts differed
- Who matches the studied group
- Who was left out and what to ask
What the trial compared
Each participant received both treatments, one on each side of the face. Both sides had cannula subcision first as the base procedure.
One randomly chosen side then received 10 suction sessions over 2 weeks. The other side received sham pressure, according to Wolters Kluwer/Dermatologic Surgery via Ovid in the Dermatologic Surgery journal page via Ovid. Each person therefore served as their own control.
Why ratings and scar counts differed
Doctors tracked scars at baseline, 1 month, and 4 months with Goodman and Baron qualitative grades, modified quantitative global grades, scar counts, and Acne Scar Improvement Grading Scale. Physician-rated and patient-rated improvement scores were significantly higher on the suction side, at p=.002 and p=.026, according to the U.S.
National Library of Medicine/PubMed in the PubMed trial listing. Both subcision alone and suction-assisted subcision improved scars. Subjective scores favored suction, suggesting visible texture, depth, or smoothness gains that scar counting alone did not fully capture.
Who matches the studied group
The direct comparison fits people with bilateral depressed atrophic scars on both cheeks or facial sides. Rolling scars with broad shallow dips and boxcar scars with sharper edges fit best.
The pattern is less relevant for other scar problems, according to the National Library of Medicine/PMC comprehensive review in the comprehensive acne-scar review. Use this quick check:.
- studied: matching depressed scars on both facial sides
- best fit: rolling and boxcar depressed types
- weaker fit: ice-pick scars, which improved least consistently
- not studied: raised hypertrophic scars and keloids
Who was left out and what to ask
The trial enrolled only 27 patients and followed them for 4 months. That size and period do not establish long-term durability or results across skin types.
Related subcision-suction trials excluded recent oral isotretinoin use and a history of hypertrophic scars or keloids. Bring a list of past acne drugs, scar treatments, keloid history, and whether scars sit on one side or both to a dermatology visit.
You Might Also Like
- Subcision With Suction for Acne Scars in a 2026 Split-Face Trial: 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
- The 160-Participant Acne Scar Combination Trial Published in 2026: Who Was Studied and Who Was Not for People With Atrophic Acne Scars