Where Can You Have Subcision Safely in Ho Chi Minh City? Cost and Recovery
Subcision releases the fibrous bands that tether rolling scars to the tissue beneath. Who it suits, the reference price per session, how long bruising lasts, how it differs from CO2 laser and microneedling, and how to book at BonBoz (District 3).
Subcision is an invasive procedure under the skin, so the question of "where is it safe to have it done" is first of all a question about the licence and the person holding the needle. In Ho Chi Minh City, BonBoz Clinic (66–68 Võ Văn Tần, Xuân Hòa Ward, formerly District 3) is a Dermatology Specialty Clinic with licence 11113/HCM-GPHĐ issued by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health. A dermatologist performs the subcision personally, and Dr. Bùi Thị Kim Kha, Specialist Level I physician, personally conducts the examination. The clinic publishes a reference price: 2–5 million VND per session.
What does subcision do, and which scars is it suited to?
Rolling scars are depressed because fibrous bands underneath tether the scar base to the deeper tissue. The doctor inserts a specialised needle through a small entry point and sweeps it along the plane beneath the scar to cut those fibrous bands. The blood clot and the local healing response form new tissue that fills the space and holds the scar base at a higher level. DermNet describes the same mechanism: a needle is inserted through a puncture in the skin, and its sharp edge cuts the fibrous bands that tether the scar. The procedure is done as an outpatient and is usually well tolerated. The AAD calls it a form of minor scar surgery performed under local anaesthesia, which can be combined afterwards with laser resurfacing or platelet-rich plasma.
Suitable for: rolling scars (DermNet describes them as broad scars with sloping edges that flatten out when the skin is stretched), deep boxcar scars with fibrous bands, and long scar furrows from acne or chickenpox. Not suitable for: ice pick scars without fibrous bands (these need TCA spot treatment), keloid scars, and inflamed skin. Read more in the article what subcision is and when it needs to be combined.
Criteria for choosing a safe place for subcision
| Criterion | How to check yourself | Information at BonBoz |
|---|---|---|
| Licence for medical examination and treatment in dermatology | Look up the licence number at tracuu.medinet.org.vn | 11113/HCM-GPHĐ (Dermatology), 10036/HCM-GPHĐ (Aesthetics), issued by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health |
| A doctor performs it, not delegated to a technician | Ask directly: who holds the subcision needle? | A dermatologist performs it personally |
| Skin-stretch examination to determine whether the scar has fibrous bands | Notice whether the doctor classifies the scars before quoting a price | Skin is stretched and the scar areas are marked before the procedure |
| Asks about anticoagulants, keloid history, herpes | Whether staff ask about your history before the session | Asked at the examination; medication adjusted through the prescribing doctor |
| A combination plan and follow-up schedule | Ask what comes after subcision and when the follow-up is | Laser or microneedling and a follow-up are scheduled after 4–6 weeks |
The doctor who examines patients at BonBoz is Dr. Bùi Thị Kim Kha, Specialist Level I physician, Specialist Level I in Dermatology, practising certificate 009784/ĐL-CCHN issued by the Đắk Lắk Department of Health, with more than 8 years of practice.
Subcision prices at BonBoz
- Fractional CO2 laser / subcision: 2–5 million VND per session.
- Multi-session scar combo (techniques combined according to scar severity): 3.9–25 million VND per course.
- Microneedling: 1–3 million VND per session.
Reference prices published in November 2026; an exact quote is given after the examination, before you decide.
The question "how much is subcision with CO2" actually combines two techniques. Subcision uses a needle, while fractional CO2 laser is a step that evens out the surface; they are two different techniques, often placed in the same treatment plan. Subcision is not required for everyone; the doctor recommends it only when a scar has fibrous bands pulling its base down.
What makes the total cost differ: the area of scarring, the number of sessions in the plan, and whether laser, TCA spot treatment or microneedling is combined. Each session includes anaesthesia, the procedure and immediate aftercare; restorative topical medication is charged separately by prescription. Details are on the page the cost of pitted acne scar treatment per session and combo.
How a subcision session works at BonBoz
- 1Examination: the doctor stretches the skin to determine whether the scar has fibrous bands, and marks the scar areas.
- 2Disinfection and local anaesthesia by injection.
- 3Subcision: the doctor inserts a sterile specialised needle through a small entry point and sweeps beneath the scar base along the plane to cut the fibrous bands. You feel pressure and tightness, not sharp pain; it takes about 20–40 minutes.
- 4Light compression bandage for a few hours, with aftercare instructions.
- 5Scheduling of combined laser or microneedling and the follow-up.
Before the session: talk to the doctor who prescribes your anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication so it can be adjusted (do not stop it on your own); avoid alcohol for 24 hours beforehand to reduce bruising; get inflamed acne under control first; tell the doctor about any history of keloid scars, herpes or bleeding disorders. A full description is on the page subcision.
How do CO2 laser, microneedling and subcision differ?
| Technique | Effect | Suited to | Usual recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subcision | Cuts the fibrous bands under the skin, releasing the scar base | Rolling scars, deep boxcar scars with fibrous bands | Bruising and swelling for 5–10 days |
| Fractional CO2 laser | Creates micro-points of injury so the skin rebuilds collagen from the surface | Boxcar scars, mild to moderate rolling scars | Redness and mild peeling for about 5–7 days |
| Microneedling | Micro-injury channels stimulate collagen, minimally invasive | Shallow scars, rough skin surface | Quick; deep scars are usually not enough if treated with this alone |
| TCA spot treatment | High-concentration acid applied right to the base of each scar | Ice pick scars, deep and narrow boxcar scars | Treated spots form a brown crust for 5–7 days |
Most faces have several types of scars mixed together, so the doctor often combines techniques: subcision to release the scar base, then laser or microneedling to even out the surface. The way to know which suits you is to let the doctor stretch your skin and classify each scar area. The article 5 criteria for choosing where to treat pitted acne scars has more points to check when comparing.
How long is recovery, and what restrictions apply
- Obvious bruising and swelling for 5–10 days, up to 2 weeks in some people. This is a sign the subcision was thorough. DermNet also notes that a small haematoma after subcision is normal.
- Apply a cold compress for the first 48 hours; do not massage hard.
- Mild aching for 2–3 days; the needle entry points heal within a few days.
- Avoid heavy exercise and steam rooms for 1 week.
- Protect from the sun; when outdoors, reapply sunscreen every 2 hours (per the AAD).
- The scar base is lifted once the bruising clears, and stabilises after 4–8 weeks. Usually 1–3 sessions 4–6 weeks apart are needed for one area, because the fibrous bands may partly reattach.
Risks to know: haematoma, and temporary hard lumps under the skin for a few weeks; infection if aftercare is wrong (rare); injury to small vessels or nerves if the wrong layer is entered, which is why the doctor must understand anatomy; partial reattachment that requires repeat subcision; prolonged bruising in thin skin with many blood vessels.
Who should not have it, and when to postpone
- Ice pick scars are the main problem (there are no fibrous bands to cut).
- Bleeding disorders, or taking anticoagulants that have not been adjusted.
- A tendency to keloid scarring, or to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
- Inflamed acne or a skin infection in the treatment area: get the acne under control first.
- Pregnancy: wait until after delivery. If you are breastfeeding, tell the doctor at the examination so the timing can be considered.
- Skin in the treatment area that is very thin or atrophic.
- Currently taking, or having stopped within the last 12 months, oral retinoid acne medication. DermNet lists this as a situation where it may not be suitable; tell the doctor at the examination.
Living in another district: should you come to BonBoz in District 3?
People in Thủ Đức or Gò Vấp often ask whether to go somewhere near home or travel farther. For a procedure that uses a needle under the skin, distance is a secondary matter. What is worth asking is whether the place has a dermatology licence, who personally holds the needle, and whether your type of scar truly needs subcision. The plan involves 1–3 subcision sessions 4–6 weeks apart plus combined sessions, so you need to stay on top of your follow-up schedule. Even if you are a foreigner staying only briefly, allow an extra 1–2 weeks of bruising after each session.
Book a pitted acne scar consultation at BonBoz
- Address: BonBoz Clinic, 66–68 Võ Văn Tần, Xuân Hòa Ward (formerly District 3), Ho Chi Minh City.
- Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 08:00–20:00.
- Phone: 0869 612 310.
- Licences: 11113/HCM-GPHĐ (Dermatology) and 10036/HCM-GPHĐ (Aesthetics), issued by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, searchable at tracuu.medinet.org.vn.
- Doctor: Dr. Bùi Thị Kim Kha, Specialist Level I physician, Specialist Level I in Dermatology, practising certificate 009784/ĐL-CCHN, holds a certificate in lasers and light in dermatology.
- The initial examination and skin analysis are free. See other services on the page dermatology treatment at BonBoz.
References
- DermNet — Subcision. <https://dermnetnz.org/topics/subcision>
- American Academy of Dermatology — Acne scars: Consultation and treatment. <https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/derm-treat/scars/treatment>
- DermNet — Acne scarring. <https://dermnetnz.org/topics/acne-scarring>
- American Academy of Dermatology — How to apply sunscreen. <https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/how-to-apply-sunscreen>
Sources accessed on 11/11/2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is subcision safe in Saigon?
Choose a clinic with a dermatology licence and a doctor who personally holds the needle, because this is an invasive procedure under the skin. BonBoz Clinic at 66–68 Võ Văn Tần (formerly District 3) has licence 11113/HCM-GPHĐ, and subcision is performed by a dermatologist. You can look up the licence number at tracuu.medinet.org.vn.
How much does subcision cost per session?
At BonBoz, fractional CO2 laser / subcision has a reference price of 2–5 million VND per session; the multi-session scar combo is 3.9–25 million VND per course. Reference prices published in November 2026; an exact quote is given after the examination, before you decide. Subcision uses a needle, not a CO2 laser; the two techniques are often in the same treatment plan.
How do CO2 laser, microneedling and subcision differ? How do I know which suits me?
Subcision deals with the fibrous bands under the skin; CO2 laser and microneedling renew the surface from the top down. Rolling scars with fibrous bands need subcision, while shallow scars may need only microneedling or laser. The way to know is to let the doctor stretch your skin and classify each scar area during the examination.
Is subcision painful?
Local anaesthesia is used, so during the procedure you mostly feel pressure and tightness. Afterwards there is mild aching for 2–3 days. Bruising is normal.
How long does bruising after subcision last?
Usually 5–10 days, up to 2 weeks in some people depending on the individual. A cold compress for the first 48 hours helps reduce bruising, and you should not massage hard. Schedule the session so that it avoids important events during this period.
Is one subcision session enough?
Many scars need 2–3 sessions because the fibrous bands may partly reattach. The doctor reassesses after 4–6 weeks. Results stabilise after 4–8 weeks as new tissue forms.
Subcision doctor in Gò Vấp, Thủ Đức or District 3: how do I choose?
Choose by specialty and by who actually does the work, not by district. At BonBoz, a dermatologist performs subcision personally, not a technician; Dr. Bùi Thị Kim Kha, Specialist Level I physician (practising certificate 009784/ĐL-CCHN), personally conducts the examination. The clinic is open Monday to Sunday, 08:00–20:00.
Can I have it done while taking anticoagulants?
You need to talk to the prescribing doctor so the medication can be adjusted a few days beforehand, which reduces bruising and haematoma. Do not stop the medication on your own. People with a bleeding disorder need to be assessed by a doctor before deciding.
Content prepared by the BonBoz Clinic professional team.
This article is for reference only and does not replace an in-person examination or a doctor's diagnosis. Actual results vary by individual condition.