For many of us, waking up to a red, inflamed pimple before a big date or work presentation is enough to make us want to crawl back into bed and hide. But for moderate to severe acne sufferers, the mental and physical toll can be downright devastating. The AviClear The laser is a game changer. Here’s everything you need to know about the treatment that’s been called the biggest acne breakthrough in years.
AviClear Vs. Tretinoin and other acne treatments
In recent years, dermatologists’ most effective treatment options for acne (after mishaps with OTC protocols and mild over-the-counter treatments) have been Accutane, which involves taking prescription drugs and can have serious side effects, and isotretinoin, which works to control sebum production while you use it, but returns when you stop,” says Boston dermatologist Jeffrey S. Dover, MD. “Tretinoin also only works for mild acne, but not for moderate to severe acne.” However, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most common skin condition in the United States. It affects up to 50 million Americans annually. And unfortunately, within the first year of an acne diagnosis, the risk of developing major depression is 63 percent larger.
Cutera has created an innovative game-changing solution. AviClear is the first energy device cleared by the FDA for the treatment of mild to severe acne. Dr. Dover calls it “a breakthrough technology that will revolutionize the way we treat acne.” The treatment uses a 1726-nanometer laser to shrink the sebaceous glands, which Dr. Dover says are actually the cause of acne in the first place. “That means there’s less oil production and fewer clogged pores,” he explains. “Other treatments don’t target sebum production, but other causes of acne. AviClear is one of the most exciting developments in dermatology in the last 40 years.”
A question we have received from some of our readers is, how does AviClear compare to the Accure laser? His launch Accure Laser System, manufactured by Quantas System, came in 2022 after AviClear. It is also FDA cleared and uses Energy of 1726 nanometers. Phoenix, AZ dermatologist Dr. Karan Lal, says, “Accure reportedly has a technology that precisely controls the depth of the thermal gradient, which can limit side effects.”
Technology
As a member of Cutera’s advisory board, Dr. Dover worked with the company to develop the technology, which Cutera has been working on for the past three years. “Thirty-seven years ago, something called a free-electron laser showed that it could selectively damage the sebaceous glands without damaging the rest of the skin,” he explains. “It basically took 30 years to use it and make it a device that could be commercially available.” The laser works on all skin types and tones, from the lightest to the darkest. It also works for acne vulgaris, which includes blackheads and whiteheads.
What happens during a treatment with AviClear
The current protocol recommended by doctors involves three 30-minute treatments, once a month. “Pimples are red after treatment for a few minutes, but there is no persistent redness, crusting, swelling or blistering,” says Dr. Dover. “The pain level is 3 out of 10, which means it hurts but it’s tolerable. There’s no anesthetic or needles.”
Exclusive AviCool sapphire skin cooling controls and sensory controls maintain skin temperature during treatment to make the experience as comfortable as possible. “When a patient comes in, we simply degrease the skin, apply some water to improve contact, and then wipe the area with the sapphire tip, just like we would a Fraxel treatment. We are dealing with the whole area very slowly. AviClear is also approved for body acne on the chest and back,” adds Dr. Dover.
Results to be expected
Clinical data shows that patients’ acne improves dramatically by three months and even better by six months after the last of three treatments. “This suggests that there is also a resilient response,” says Dr. Dover. “It is one of two unique treatments [Accutane being the other] with results that continue to improve even after stopping treatment. In the clinical study, 80 percent of patients saw at least half of their acne clear after three treatments. Their results got even better after six months – up to 88 percent.’ In addition, any flare-ups experienced by patients after treatment were reported to be smaller, less severe and less frequent.
Dr. Dover compares the results of AviClear to those of Accutane, but without the side effects. “Accutane is one of the only treatments in medicine—it cures 60 percent of acne patients with lifelong results—but it’s been linked to depression, liver inflammation, dry eyes and skin, birth defects, and more, and the government is making it almost impossible for dermatologists to prescribe now because so many women got pregnant with it when they shouldn’t have. AviClear is the first thing that has ever come close to the results of Accutane.”
AviClear Laser Reviews: What Patients Are Saying
According to Cutera data, 9 out of 10 patients were satisfied or very satisfied with their results. One reviewer says, “My skin has never felt clearer and looked better after my three sessions! After three failed months [isotretinoin] and other oral and topical treatments, the AviClear laser was the solution!” Another: “I used to get cystic acne on my chin and forehead and occasionally on my cheeks. Six months after my last AviClear treatment, I no longer have cystic acne anywhere on my face. My skin is completely clear.”
AviClear laser cost
Dr. Dover says AviClear is not currently covered by insurance and costs about $1,000 per treatment. “It takes three treatments, but will we need maintenance treatments? We don’t know yet,” says Dr. Dover. “In clinical studies, we know it works for at least six months, which is longer than most other options, so I have a feeling we’ll see a durable response over time. And then there will be a mass movement of people coming in saying, “What’s this new light-based acne treatment I’m hearing about?”
