Get ready for medication and cream free clearance of inflammatory and cystic acne.
Aviclear
What is AviClear?
AviClear is the first of its kind, FDA-cleared energy device for the treatment of mild, moderate, and severe acne. AviClear treatment offers a safe, prescription-free solution for acne. This innovative laser treatment uses a 1726nm wavelength to selectively target and suppress the sebaceous glands, which produces sebum (the oily substance on the skin) that can cause and worsen breakouts. In addition to reducing existing acne, clinical trials show that future breakout episodes are shorter, less intense, and more infrequent following the AviClear procedure. The device is effective in reducing red acne scars and overall oily skin.
The Treatment
AviClear has exclusive AviCoolTM sapphire skin cooling and sensory controls that keep the skin temperature stable during treatments for a more comfortable experience. There was no pain mitigation used or required by any clinical study participant, and no reportable events were observed during the clinical trial. Patients may experience a slight snapping sensation during treatment. The pain level is a 3 out of 10, which means it hurts but is bearable, and no anesthetic or needles are used.
Ideal Candidates
AviClear is a great option for patients with sensitive skin towards topical therapies and who want to avoid oral medications for long periods such as antibiotics or accutane. It is also effective for patients with excessively oily skin and comedonal acne, such as blackheads and whiteheads. This treatment has been proven safe and effective for all skin types and tones. AviClear should not be performed on patients who are pregnant or undergoing treatment for skin cancer.
How Long are Treatments and How Often?
The current protocol entails three 40 minute treatments once a month for three months.
Expected Results
Clinical trials show that following the AviClear procedure, current and future breakout episodes are shorter, less intense, and more infrequent. Furthermore, acne clearance results continue to improve over time, demonstrating the novel treatment’s long-term efficacy. Clinical data shows patients’ acne improves dramatically by three months, and even better by six months after the last of the three treatments.
AviClear Acne Treatment Frequently Asked Questions
Does AviClear have to be done once a month?
According to the studies, for maximum effectiveness, the treatment should be performed once a month for a total of three months. It doesn’t have to be on the exact day, but I wouldn’t recommend using it more frequently than once per few months unless you’re undergoing a maintenance treatment.
AviClear post treatment care?
The downtime is very little and there’s really not that much to do. You want to to avoid the sun and any acne medications that could be irritating for a few days.
Can I treat scars at the same time as AviClear Treatment?
AviClear does not treat acne scars, but it treats PIH (post-inflammatory hiperpigmentation) the redness attributed to acne. We use other technologies and treatments at PFRANKMD to treat acne scars.
If I have mild acne will one AviClear treatment alone work?
Whether your acne is mild, moderate, or severe, patients must commit to at least three sessions in order to achieve the desired results.
I have dark skin that stains, is AviClear safe?
We absolutely can treat darker skin tones. People with skin of color definitely suffer the repercussions of chronic inflammation- not necessarily worse but differently as they can get a lot of brown spots. Anything you can do to reduce the inflammation is going to help the brown spots and it’s certainly easier for me to get rid of them. It’s nice to know that we have a laser that’s safe for all skin types.
Can I do AviClear while pregnant?
The short answer is yes, the AviClear laser is safe for pregnant women. We recommend consulting with your OB/GYN and a board-certified dermatologist prior to beginning treatments.
Does AviClear make you sun sensitive?
Yes, the AviClear laser can make your skin a little sun sensitive. You might be a little red or puffy for about a day, but we have seen some patients that don’t have very many side effects after the treatment sessions. If you have chronic inflammation from acne, you are probably already a little sensitive to the sun, and any acne treatment can heighten your sensitivity. I recommend staying out of direct sunlight before and directly after your AviClear treatments.
What is the recovery for AviClear?
There is no downtime associated with the AviClear treatment. Patients should limit any exercise or activity that would cause excess heat or sweating during the first 24 hours.
Can I continue with my other topical acne treatments and skincare before, after, and in between my Aviclear treatments?
Patients should avoid any skin irritants for 3-5 days before and following the treatment. This can include acne treatments containing tretinoin, retinol, benzyl peroxide, glycolic and salicylic acids, vitamin C or ascorbic acids, astringents etc. We recommend using a light cleanser, sunscreen, and moisturizer after the treatment. Makeup can be applied directly after the treatment.
I hear AviClear is similar to Accutane, can it initially cause breakouts?
Any acne treatment can cause breakouts afterwards and the AviClear laser is no different. The laser shrinks the sebaceous glands, which causes the inflammation that may lead to a breakout. It can be frustrating, but be patient. It will be worth it in the long run.
How long does AviClear take to do?
The AviClear treatment process includes three 30-40 minute treatment sessions: one treatment per month for three months.
Does AviClear hurt?
AviClear treatments are very tolerable on the pain scale. Every patient is different, but the majority have said the pain is somewhere between a 2 and a 5 out of 10. I haven’t had any patients that can’t tolerate it.
Does AviClear treat acne scars?
Aviclear does not specifically treat acne scars. AviClear can be a great first step towards the treatment of acne scars as is helps get rid of inflammation and some of the redness of acne scars. We offer several treatments to reduce acne scarring that can be done after AviClear treatments, such as Fraxel resurfacing and microneedling.
Are the AviClear results permanent? Any chance of scarring?
Nothing is really permanent and everything takes maintenance. AviClear can provide a lot of clearance without a lot of maintenance, but the maintenance really depends on the severity of the patient. All treatments have the potential to scar.
Can you get AviClear if you’ve done other lasers?
Absolutely, you can get this in conjunction with other lasers. There’s a wide variety of things we can do at PFrankMD to help you achieve clear, healthy skin.