Acne Scar Subcision in Newport Beach
Acne scars that are tethered to the underlying tissue — the kind that create depressions, pull the skin down, and resist every surface treatment — cannot be improved from the outside. Subcision releases them from beneath.
Subcision is a minimally invasive procedure that breaks the fibrous bands anchoring depressed acne scars to the deeper tissue below. Once released, the scar can rise to the level of the surrounding skin — and the body’s healing response fills the space with new collagen. It is one of the most effective treatments available for atrophic acne scars, and one of the most underperformed.
At Plump Medical Spa in Newport Beach, Dr. Amir Mortazavi, MD performs subcision regularly and has built a reputation for acne scar treatment that draws patients from across Southern California. He uses cannula subcision — a more advanced technique than standard needle subcision — and approaches every case with a comprehensive combination protocol that addresses the scar from multiple angles simultaneously.
Subcision is technically demanding and infrequently offered well. Most practices that list it perform needle subcision as an occasional add-on. Dr. Mortazavi treats it as a primary specialty — using cannula technique, combining it with volume support and laser resurfacing, and building individualized protocols based on each patient’s scar type, distribution, and skin quality. Patients come from Los Angeles, San Diego, and across the region specifically for this approach.
Understanding acne scar types
Not all acne scars respond to subcision. The technique is specifically effective for scars that are tethered — held down by fibrous bands beneath the skin surface. Understanding which scar types benefit from subcision versus other approaches is the first step in building an effective treatment plan.
If you have ice pick scars primarily, subcision is not the right treatment. Dr. Mortazavi assesses scar types at consultation and recommends the appropriate approach for each — which may include TCA cross, laser, or a combination. He will not perform subcision on scars that will not benefit from it.
Cannula subcision — why technique matters
Standard subcision uses a beveled needle inserted through the skin to cut fibrous bands beneath the scar. It is effective but carries a higher risk of bruising, uneven tissue disruption, and discomfort.
Dr. Mortazavi uses cannula subcision — a blunt-tipped cannula inserted through a single entry point that can be moved beneath the skin to release multiple scars through one opening. Cannula subcision produces more even tissue disruption, significantly less bruising, and allows Dr. Mortazavi to release a broader area of tethering in a single pass. It requires more skill to perform effectively but produces a superior result with less trauma.
The combination protocol
Subcision alone releases the fibrous tethering — but it does not fill the void left beneath the scar or improve the skin surface above it. For comprehensive acne scar improvement, Dr. Mortazavi builds a multi-modality protocol that addresses every layer of the scar simultaneously.
Cannula subcision — release the tethering
The foundational step. Fibrous bands anchoring the scar to underlying tissue are released using a blunt cannula. This allows the scar floor to rise and creates space for collagen formation and volume support beneath the scar. Without this step, surface treatments are limited in what they can achieve on tethered scars.
Sculptra or filler — fill the void and support collagen
Once the fibrous bands are released, the space beneath the scar needs volume support to prevent re-tethering and to elevate the scar floor. Sculptra stimulates the patient’s own collagen in the subcised space for long-term structural support. HA filler provides immediate volume where precise lifting is needed. The choice between them — or a combination of both — is made based on scar depth and distribution.
CO2 laser or RF microneedling — resurface and remodel
Once the structural component is addressed, the skin surface is treated with laser or RF microneedling to improve texture, reduce residual surface irregularities, and stimulate additional collagen in the upper dermis. CO2 laser is selected for patients with more significant surface scarring. RF microneedling is used for patients wanting less downtime or for darker skin types where CO2 carries more pigmentation risk.
Red light therapy — accelerate healing
Red light therapy is applied at the conclusion of the session to reduce inflammation, accelerate tissue healing, and support the collagen synthesis triggered by the preceding steps. It adds minimal time to the appointment and meaningfully improves the recovery experience and early healing quality.
What to expect
Consultation
Dr. Mortazavi examines the scar types present, assesses skin quality and tone, reviews prior treatments, and builds an individualized protocol. Not every patient needs every component — some benefit most from subcision plus Sculptra, others from subcision plus laser. The consultation determines the specific combination and sequence that will produce the best result for that patient’s scars.
Treatment day
Topical numbing is applied before treatment. Subcision is performed first, followed by volume support, laser or RF, and red light therapy in sequence. The full combination session takes 60 to 90 minutes. The skin will be red and swollen after treatment — this is expected and resolves over the following days.
Recovery
Subcision alone produces significant bruising for 7 to 10 days — cannula technique reduces but does not eliminate this. When combined with laser, recovery time reflects the laser used: RF microneedling adds 24 to 48 hours; CO2 laser adds 5 to 14 days depending on intensity. Patients should plan their social calendar accordingly. The results over the following weeks and months justify the recovery.
Results timeline and sessions
Improvement is visible once bruising and swelling resolve — typically at 2 to 3 weeks. Collagen remodeling from the full protocol continues for 3 to 6 months. Most patients need 2 to 4 sessions spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart for significant improvement. Results are cumulative and progressive — each session builds on the last.
Acne scar treatment is one of Dr. Mortazavi’s primary specialties — patients travel from Los Angeles, San Diego, and across Southern California specifically for his combination protocol. Subcision is rarely offered well because it requires technical skill, an understanding of scar type selection, and the knowledge to combine it with volume support and surface resurfacing in a coordinated protocol. Dr. Mortazavi has built his approach around doing all of it correctly, in the right sequence, for the right patient. All treatments performed personally.
Frequently asked questions
What is subcision for acne scars?
Subcision is a minimally invasive procedure that releases the fibrous bands tethering depressed acne scars to the underlying tissue. By breaking these bands, the scar floor is freed to rise toward the surface, and the body fills the released space with new collagen. It is most effective for rolling and boxcar scars — the types that are held down by tethering rather than simply representing tissue loss.
What is cannula subcision and why is it better than needle subcision?
Standard needle subcision uses a beveled needle to cut fibrous bands beneath the scar. Cannula subcision uses a blunt-tipped cannula inserted through a single entry point that can release multiple scars and a broader area of tethering through one opening. Cannula technique produces more even tissue disruption, significantly less bruising, and is generally more comfortable — but requires more skill to perform effectively. Dr. Mortazavi uses cannula subcision as his standard approach.
Will subcision work for my acne scars?
Subcision is most effective for rolling scars and moderate boxcar scars — types caused by fibrous tethering beneath the skin. Ice pick scars are not tethered and do not respond to subcision; they are better addressed with TCA cross or laser. Dr. Mortazavi assesses scar types at consultation and will tell you directly which of your scars will benefit from subcision and which require a different approach. He will not perform subcision on scars that will not benefit from it.
Why is subcision combined with filler or Sculptra?
Subcision releases the fibrous tethering but does not fill the void left beneath the scar. Without volume support, the released scar can re-tether as the tissue heals. Adding Sculptra stimulates collagen in the released space for long-term structural support. HA filler provides immediate volume for precise lifting. Together, they convert the subcision result from a temporary release into a sustained structural improvement.
How many subcision sessions do I need?
Most patients need 2 to 4 sessions spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart for significant improvement. Acne scar correction is cumulative — each session releases additional tethering, adds more collagen support, and refines the surface. The number of sessions depends on scar severity, distribution, and how the skin responds to each treatment.
How much bruising should I expect after subcision?
Bruising is common and expected after subcision — 7 to 10 days is typical even with cannula technique. The bruising is a sign that the fibrous bands have been disrupted, which is exactly what needs to happen. Patients should plan for significant visible bruising for 1 to 2 weeks after treatment. This is especially true when subcision is combined with laser in the same session.
Do you treat patients who have tried other acne scar treatments without success?
Yes — and this describes many of Dr. Mortazavi’s subcision patients. Patients who have had laser alone, microneedling, peels, or other surface treatments without satisfying improvement often have tethered scars that require subcision as the primary intervention. Surface treatments cannot improve a scar that is anchored to the tissue beneath it. A consultation will determine whether tethering is the limiting factor in your prior treatment results.
Related treatments
Subcision is most effective as part of a comprehensive acne scar protocol.
Schedule a consultation
Acne scar subcision is available at Plump Medical Spa in Newport Beach. Patients travel from Los Angeles, San Diego, and across Southern California for Dr. Mortazavi’s combination scar protocol.
4667 MacArthur Blvd, Suite 310 — Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 568-7544 — info@plumpmedicalspa.com
Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 6pm — By Appointment Only