Subcision Recovery Time: Everything You Need To Know
Subcision is a highly effective treatment for atrophic scars, but some have concerns about the recovery time. The procedure is minimally invasive, but proper care and patience are also important during the healing process. This article covers subcision recovery time, what to expect during the healing process, pain levels, and aftercare tips for your reference.
Subcision Recovery Time – What to Expect
The recovery time after subcision will depend on the severity of scars and individual healing factors. On average, most patients completely recover within 7 to 10 days while it can take several weeks to months and multiple sessions to take full effect.
Generally, what you can expect right after the treatment is mild swelling, bruising, and redness. In later stages, collagen production ramps up, which results in a better appearance for your skin. From there, long-term improvements in skin texture can take up to three months.
Subcision recovery time is not very long
Pain Level of Subcision
Pain levels may vary depending on the stages of subcision, so you should take notes of these tips to better manage the pain.
During the Procedure
You will be provided anesthesia during the procedure, so the pain is generally low to moderate. Most practitioners apply a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area. With that said, you may still feel discomfort during the treatment. Some patients describe a slight tugging or pressure sensation as the needle releases the fibrous bands.
Pain levels of subcision can vary from one person to another
After the Procedure
Post-treatment discomfort is mild and temporary. With that said, it is possible to experience soreness or tenderness in the treated area, similar to a bruise. Pain medications can help alleviate these symptoms, but make sure to talk to your doctors before taking any medicine.
Healing Process of Subcision Scars
Changes after subcision may not be clear immediately because early swelling and bruising can temporarily affect the appearance of the treated area. Gradual tissue remodelling may continue after the initial recovery period. TAEGA’s guide to how subcision treats atrophic scars explains which scar types may be assessed, how tethering bands are released and why treatment response can vary before outlining the expected healing stages.
Immediate Healing Phase (Days 1–7)
In the early stages, redness, swelling, and bruising may be quite common during the first week. These side effects are temporary and treatable with medication. It depends on your personal pain tolerance, but it is generally manageable. Make sure to keep the treated area clean and moisturized and avoid heavy makeup or skincare products to prevent irritation.
Intermediate Healing Phase (Weeks 2–4)
Swelling should diminish during this phase, though you may be going for additional sessions, and the skin begins to feel smoother. This is thanks to collagen production kicking in and slowly improving scar appearance. Pain should subside considerably in this phase, but if you are still feeling pain, you may consider scheduling an appointment with your doctor.
Other than that, you can continue using gentle skin products while avoiding sun exposure, considerable physical exertion, and unhealthy habits like smoking and drinking.
The healing process of subcision requires extra attention and care to your skin
Long-Term Healing Phase (1–3 Months)
Tissue remodelling may continue after the initial swelling and bruising have settled. Changes in scar appearance can develop gradually, and the timing varies according to scar structure, treatment extent and individual healing. TAEGA’s guide to Subcision result timeline and longevity explains the difference between session length, recovery time, result development and how long changes may be maintained. Continue with the skincare and aftercare instructions provided by your practitioner. Contact TAEGA if pain, swelling or another reaction persists beyond the recovery pattern discussed with you.
This phase requires you to maintain a consistent skincare routine to support long-term healing as well as avoiding smoking and alcohol to aid the recovery process. Pain during this stage should be very mild to non-existent, so seek consultation from your doctors if you feel pain.
Post-Subcision Care – Essential Steps
Proper aftercare is crucial for minimizing side effects and ensuring the best results. Fortunately, most clinics will provide you with all key instructions and tips for this process, so all you need to do is stick to those guidelines and ask questions whenever necessary. Some of the general tips include:
Cleaning and Moisturizing the Treated Area
Cleaning the area gently with a mild cleanser can play a role in preventing infection. Hygiene always goes a long way so you should always take extra good care of the treated skin area. Make sure to be careful with what cleansers you use and how they can affect your skin.
Moisturize and protect your skin from external damage to help it heals
Additionally, moisturizing is always a key part in any skincare routine, so even when you undergo a subcision treatment session, moisturizing is still needed. Applying a soothing moisturizer can keep the skin hydrated, improving its appearance and promoting healing.
Protecting Skin from External Damage
This goes without saying as UV rays from sunlights and other external elements can really worsen the damage on your skin. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily to protect the healing skin from UV damage and cover up well before going out, especially when your skin is recovering from subcision.
On top of that, avoid harsh exfoliants or active ingredients like retinol for at least two weeks. To be absolutely sure, bring your daily products to the beauty clinic and ask your treatment providers if they are usable post-treatment.
Do You Need Filler After Subcision?
In some cases, dermal fillers are used alongside subcision to enhance results. While the treatment releases the fibrous bands, fillers help restore lost volume, further smoothing the skin.
With that said, you may not need dermal fillers at all. It depends on the severity of your scars and your desired results, so they might be recommended to you. Consult your practitioner to determine if combining treatments is right for you, though it is entirely optional.
Dermal fillers may be recommended after subcision though it is optional
What Not to Do After Subcision
To ensure a smooth recovery and avoid complications, there are some things to avoid:
- Intense physical activity: Strenuous exercise can increase swelling and slow healing. This can include playing contact sports, long periods of exercising, lifting heavy objects, etc.
- Picking at the skin: Scabs or bruises can heal naturally, but they will take some time. Be patient and wait it out to prevent scarring.
- Using harsh skincare products: Avoid active ingredients for a certain period post-treatment. Other skincare products with milder ingredients are still usable, though with discretion.