AviClear is a laser treatment that targets the oil glands in your skin to reduce acne at its source. It uses a specific wavelength of light (1726 nm) that’s absorbed by the fatty tissue in sebaceous glands, selectively heating and shrinking them to lower oil production. The FDA cleared it in June 2023 for long-term treatment of mild to severe inflammatory acne.
How the Laser Targets Oil Glands
Acne starts with excess oil. Your sebaceous glands produce sebum, which can clog pores and feed the bacteria that cause inflammation. Most acne treatments work indirectly, either killing bacteria, unclogging pores, or reducing oil through systemic medication. AviClear takes a more direct route: it uses laser energy tuned to a wavelength that sebaceous gland tissue absorbs more readily than surrounding skin.
The 1726 nm wavelength heats the oil glands enough to suppress their activity and shrink them over time, without damaging the skin around them. Think of it like a radio frequency tuned to one specific signal. The surrounding tissue largely ignores the energy, while the sebaceous glands absorb it. This selectivity is why the treatment doesn’t require downtime or cause significant skin damage. The device also includes a sapphire cooling system that keeps the skin’s surface temperature controlled during the procedure, which helps manage discomfort.
Beyond oil reduction, the laser energy stimulates collagen production in the treated areas. This can gradually improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of existing acne scars, though the primary goal is clearing active breakouts.
What a Treatment Course Looks Like
A standard AviClear course involves at least three sessions, each lasting 30 to 60 minutes, spaced about three to four weeks apart. The spacing gives your skin time to respond between treatments. Most people walk out with slightly pink or warm skin that fades within an hour, and you can return to normal activities immediately, including wearing makeup.
Over the next couple of days, you might notice mild tingling, tightness, or dryness. A temporary acne flare-up, sometimes called a purge, is also common. As the laser begins shrinking oil glands, your skin can push existing buildup to the surface, causing more breakouts before things improve. This purge can start anywhere from a few days to a few weeks after a session and is generally a sign the treatment is working, not a reason to worry.
How Quickly Results Appear
The results from AviClear build gradually. In clinical studies, patients saw a 52% reduction in inflammatory acne lesions within one month of treatment. By three months after completing the course, 36% of patients were clear or almost clear, and about 80% had at least a 50% improvement in their inflammatory lesion counts.
The more striking numbers come later. At 12 months, 68% of patients were clear or almost clear, and over 91% had achieved at least 50% improvement. By 24 months after the last treatment, patients had a 97% average reduction in inflammatory lesions. This pattern suggests the glands continue to shrink and produce less oil long after the laser sessions are finished, rather than the effect plateauing early on.
How It Compares to Isotretinoin (Accutane)
AviClear and isotretinoin (commonly known by the brand name Accutane) share the same fundamental target: sebaceous glands. Isotretinoin shrinks them from the inside through a powerful oral medication taken daily over four to six months. It’s highly effective, and many patients experience lasting clarity after a single course.
The tradeoff is systemic. Because isotretinoin circulates through your entire body, it can cause significant dryness, joint pain, increased sun sensitivity, liver toxicity, and mood changes. It requires regular blood work, medical monitoring throughout treatment, and strict precautions for women due to a high risk of birth defects. Some patients need additional courses if acne returns.
AviClear avoids those systemic risks entirely. The laser treats only the skin on your face, so there’s no medication entering your bloodstream, no blood tests, and no monitoring beyond the treatment appointments themselves. The side effects are limited to temporary redness and sensitivity at the treatment site. For people who can’t tolerate isotretinoin, don’t want to take systemic medication, or are looking for a drug-free option, AviClear fills a gap that previously didn’t have a good alternative.
That said, isotretinoin remains the stronger option for the most severe cases and has decades of clinical data behind it. AviClear’s clinical evidence is promising but newer, with the longest published follow-up data extending to about two years.
Who It Works For
AviClear’s FDA clearance covers mild to severe inflammatory acne. A multicenter study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology specifically tested it across Fitzpatrick skin types II through VI (a range covering light to dark skin tones) and found it both effective and well-tolerated across that spectrum. This is notable because some laser treatments carry higher risks of discoloration or scarring in darker skin tones.
The treatment is best suited for inflammatory acne, the kind involving red, swollen bumps and pustules driven by excess oil and bacteria. If your acne is primarily comedonal (blackheads and whiteheads without much inflammation), the mechanism may be less directly relevant, since the issue is more about pore blockage than oil overproduction.
Cost and Practical Considerations
A full three-session course of AviClear typically costs between $3,000 and $4,000. It’s considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by most insurance plans. Compared to years of prescription topicals, oral antibiotics, or multiple rounds of isotretinoin (with the associated lab work and monitoring), the total cost may be comparable for some patients, but the upfront expense is significant.
Because results continue improving for months after the final session, it’s worth setting expectations accordingly. You likely won’t see your best results until several months after your third treatment. Some providers may recommend maintenance sessions down the line, though the clinical data so far shows results that hold and even improve through at least the one- to two-year mark without additional treatments.