Guide · Rolling acne scars
Rolling scars treatment in Singapore: release the tethering first, then rebuild the surface
Rolling scars are broad, soft dips pulled down by fibrous bands under the skin, so treatment usually starts by releasing those bands with subcision, then rebuilds collagen with fractional CO2 laser or RF microneedling. At SkinRev Lab, CityLink Mall, Dr Sin Yong maps each scar and plans this as a course over several months, priced at consultation.
Written & medically reviewed by Dr Sin Yong · 31 October 2026
Quick answer
- Rolling scars are atrophic acne scars with sloping edges that give the cheek a wavy look in side light. They soften or flatten when you stretch the skin, because the dip comes from tethering bands rather than a hole.
- Subcision, passing a fine needle or blunt cannula under the scar to cut the bands, is usually the first step. A study of 40 patients reported about 50% improvement at six months.
- Most plans then add fractional CO2 laser or RF microneedling, and sometimes a filler or collagen stimulator under the scar. Expect one to three subcision sessions, then energy sessions, spread over months; results are softening, not erasure.
- At SkinRev Lab and IN Eternity Clinic, Dr Sin Yong performs subcision within 4D Scar Reconstruction, S3 Resurfacing and RF microneedling, priced at consultation.
Key facts
Rolling scars at a glance
- What they are: broad, shallow-to-moderate dips, usually over 4 to 5 mm wide, with soft sloping edges.
- Cause of the dip: fibrous bands tying the skin down to deeper tissue.
- First step: subcision to release the bands, done by a doctor.
- Typical course: one to three subcision sessions, then laser or RF microneedling sessions, over several months.
- Usual downtime: bruising for one to two weeks after subcision.
- Who treats them at SkinRev Lab: Dr Sin Yong, priced at consultation.
How to recognise them
What rolling scars are, and how to tell
Atrophic acne scars are grouped into ice pick, boxcar and rolling scars, because each shape responds to a different procedure. Rolling scars are the broad, undulating ones: the skin surface is fairly intact, but it is pulled down from underneath.
Two simple checks help before a consultation. Hold a phone torch at the side of your face in a dim room: rolling scars cast soft, wave-like shadows. Then gently stretch the skin between two fingers: rolling scars soften or flatten, while boxcar and ice pick scars mostly stay. Flat brown or red marks that are level to the touch are marks, not scars.
Most faces have more than one scar type, and rolling scars often look deeper with age as the face loses volume. That is why the plan comes from a scar map, scar by scar, rather than one device for the whole face.
Matching treatment
Rolling scar treatments compared
Typical patterns, not promises. The order matters: tethered scars are released before resurfacing, and active acne is controlled before any of it.
| Method | What it does for rolling scars | Typical downtime | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subcision | Cuts the fibrous bands so the skin can rise; new connective tissue forms underneath | Bruising and swelling for one to two weeks | Usually first; one to three sessions |
| Filler or collagen stimulator under the scar | Supports the released area and may reduce re-tethering | Swelling or bruising for a few days | Sometimes added at or after subcision |
| Fractional CO2 laser (S3 Resurfacing) | Resurfaces and remodels collagen across the scarred zone | About five to seven days of swelling and fine crusts | After release, for texture and edges |
| RF microneedling | Heats the dermis through fine needles to remodel collagen | Redness and mild swelling for one to three days | Often chosen for skin that darkens easily |
| 4D Scar Reconstruction | Combines subcision, TCA CROSS, fractional CO2 and, where needed, an injectable | Depends on the steps | Mixed scarring across the face |
Subcision first
Why subcision comes first for rolling scars
Because rolling scars are tied down from below, treatments that only work on the surface tend to disappoint until the bands are released. In subcision, a doctor passes a fine needle or blunt cannula through a tiny entry point and moves it in a fan under the scar, parallel to the skin.
In a study of 40 patients with rolling scars, patients and investigators reported about 50% improvement at six months, and 90% of patients felt their appearance had improved. Swelling, bruising and pain were temporary, though some people had firm bumps at the treated site for longer. A review of 16 clinical trial reports found needle and cannula techniques gave comparable results, and that subcision is often combined with other treatments.
After release, collagen keeps remodelling for three to six months, so sessions are spaced and progress is reviewed before more is added. Swelling in the first days can make scars look better than they will settle, so compare photos taken in the same light a few months apart.
Who should wait
Who this is not suitable for
Scar treatment is usually postponed, or planned differently, in these situations. A dermatologist or plastic surgeon may be the right next step for very severe or surgical scars.
- Active acne that is not yet controlled.
- Pregnancy, an active skin infection or cold sores in the area.
- A bleeding disorder or blood thinners, which raise the risk of heavy bruising after subcision.
- A strong tendency to keloid or raised scars, because needling and laser can provoke them.
- A fresh tan or sunburn: in Asian skin this raises the risk of post-inflammatory darkening.
- Recent isotretinoin: the timing of procedures is decided with your doctor.
- Expecting complete removal in one session: rolling scars soften over a course; they are not erased.
At SkinRev Lab
Rolling scar treatment with Dr Sin Yong
Rolling scars are assessed and treated by Dr Sin Yong, MBBS (Singapore), MRCS (Edinburgh), MSc Practical Dermatology (Cardiff), at SkinRev Lab, #B1-28 CityLink Mall, 1 Raffles Link, linked underground to City Hall and Esplanade MRT, open daily 11am to 8pm, and at IN Eternity Clinic, Pacific Plaza. He examines your scars under angled light, maps each one by type and depth, and checks your skin type, acne control and pigment history.
He then explains which methods each area needs, in what order, the expected downtime and the realistic improvement. Options include subcision within 4D Scar Reconstruction, S3 Resurfacing with the DEKA Tetra Pro fractional CO2 laser, and RF microneedling. Treatment is priced at consultation, because it depends on the number of scars, the methods and the sessions needed.
Expect cautious settings and strict sun protection, because post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is the commonest setback in Asian skin. WhatsApp +65 8266 9585 to book an assessment.
Sources
References & sources
- Jacob CI, Dover JS, Kaminer MS. Acne scarring: a classification system and review of treatment options. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2001;45(1):109-117. doi:10.1067/mjd.2001.113451
- Alam M, Omura N, Kaminer MS. Subcision for acne scarring: technique and outcomes in 40 patients. Dermatol Surg. 2005;31(3):310-317. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2005.31080
- Ahramiyanpour N, Rastaghi F, Parvar SY, et al. Subcision in acne scarring: a review of clinical trials. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023;22(3):744-751. doi:10.1111/jocd.15480
Common questions
Your questions,
answered
What is the treatment for rolling scars?
Usually subcision to release the bands that tie the scar down, followed by fractional CO2 laser or RF microneedling, sometimes with a filler or collagen stimulator under the scar. The plan depends on your scar map.
How many sessions do rolling scars need?
Often one to three subcision sessions, then several energy-based sessions spaced weeks to months apart. The exact number is decided at review, not promised in advance.
Can rolling scars be removed completely?
Usually not. Realistic results are shallower, softer scars and smoother texture.
Does subcision hurt?
The area is numbed first. Most people feel pressure and sometimes a faint snapping as bands release. Bruising for one to two weeks is the main downtime.
Do rolling scars come back after subcision?
Released scars can re-attach, which is why subcision is often repeated or combined with a filler, collagen stimulator or resurfacing.
Can a facial treat rolling scars?
No. Facials work on the surface; rolling scars are tied down beneath the skin and need a doctor's procedure.
How much does rolling scar treatment cost in Singapore?
It depends on how many scars there are, which methods suit them and how many sessions are needed. At SkinRev Lab it is priced at consultation.
Who treats rolling scars at SkinRev Lab?
Dr Sin Yong, at SkinRev Lab, CityLink Mall, and at IN Eternity Clinic, Pacific Plaza, after a consultation.