The 2026 split-face trial showed higher physician- and patient-rated scores on the suction side than with subcision alone, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine PubMed record PubMed summary.
For people with rolling scars, longer follow-up must show those gains last past four months in blinded ratings specific to rolling scars. Subcision slides a needle or cannula under the skin to release tight bands that pull scars down. Rolling scars fit this method because fibrous bands tether the surface into shallow, wavy depressions.
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 2026 trial found
- Why rolling scars are the key group
- Why an early lead can fade
- What longer follow-up must prove
- How to talk with your dermatologist
What the 2026 trial found
The report titled Subcision Versus Subcision With Suction for the Treatment of Atrophic Acne Scars appears in Dermatologic Surgery, October 2026, volume 52 issue 10, pages 989-993, according to Wolters Kluwer Ovid Current Issue October 2026. Both sides improved after treatment in that atrophic-scar trial.
The suction side earned higher Acne Scar Improvement Grading Scale scores from physicians and patients. Physician ratings favored suction with p=.002 and patient ratings with p=.026.
Why rolling scars are the key group
Rolling scars form depressions up to 5 mm with hills-and-valleys. Fibrous bands fix the epidermis to deeper tissue and create that uneven look.
Subcision directly cuts those bands and frees the surface to rise. This match between cause and action makes rolling scars the clearest test for added suction.
Why an early lead can fade
An earlier Northwestern split-face, evaluator-blinded trial tested one subcision per side plus 10 suction sessions to one side, according to the Research Square preprint preprint details. It tracked 28 treatment areas and 154 treatments with photos at baseline, 1 and 4 months.
Blinded dermatologist raters found no difference between sides at 1 or 4 months. Patients reported 37% versus 24% improvement at 1 month, then no significant gap at 4 months.
What longer follow-up must prove
Durability is the central question because patient preference for combination care did not match blinded scores over time. Follow-up needs blinded grading tied to rolling scars alone, not mixed scar types.
It also needs standard photos past 4 months, session counts, and safety notes. Adjunctive suction aims to limit early redepression by lifting scars and stimulating fibroblast activity, according to the NIH review in PMC comprehensive review. That review describes suction starting on day 3 after subcision, at least every other day for 2 weeks.
How to talk with your dermatologist
Ask whether most of your scars roll rather than icepick or boxcar. Ask how many suction visits the plan needs and how daily life fits them.
- Confirm your scar mix and treatment goal for each cheek or zone
- Ask for the suction schedule, aftercare, and photo checks at 1, 4, and 6-plus months
- Ask how progress will be judged and when to pause if irritation, bruising, or pigmentation change appears
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