What Should You Know About Blunt Cannula Subcision?

Some rolling or depressed acne scars are held down by fibrous connections between the skin and deeper tissue. After the area is cleaned and numbed, a clinician makes a small entry point and guides a blunt cannula under the scar. Controlled movement separates selected tethering bands. The method is different from resurfacing, which changes the upper skin surface; it may be combined with other scar treatments when clinically suitable.

Before treatment, tell the clinician about medicines that affect bleeding, previous raised scars, active acne, cold sores and allergies to local anaesthetic. Expect temporary swelling, bruising, tenderness or firmness at treated sites. Follow the wound-care instructions, keep the entry point clean and avoid picking it. Scar improvement develops gradually, and more than one approach or session may be discussed after healing.

Contact the treating clinic if pain, swelling, warmth or redness is worsening instead of settling, or if drainage, fever or a wound opening develops. Get urgent help for facial swelling affecting breathing or swallowing, severe bleeding, sudden vision symptoms or rapidly spreading redness.

Ask whether your scars are tethered and whether a cannula or another subcision instrument suits their depth. Discuss entry points, expected bruising, aftercare, the possibility of uneven improvement and whether acne scar laser treatment should be staged after recovery.