AviClear
AviClear is the first FDA-cleared laser for mild, moderate, and severe acne. Its 1726 nm wavelength quiets the overactive oil glands where breakouts begin, so skin clears and stays clearer. Three 30-minute sessions, no prescriptions, no needles, and safe for every skin tone. We were the first practice in Cincinnati to offer it.
What isAviClear?
Acne starts in the sebaceous glands. When they produce too much oil, dead skin cells stick together, pores clog, and bacteria turn the blockage into pimples and cysts. Most acne treatments chase that chain from the outside; AviClear switches it off at the source.
The device delivers a 1726 nm laser wavelength that is selectively absorbed by the oil glands themselves, suppressing sebum production without touching the surrounding skin. Because it does not target melanin, it is safe for all skin tones and types, and because it is a light treatment rather than a drug, there are no prescriptions, no needles, and no anesthetic. The AviCool sapphire cooling system keeps skin comfortable through each pass.
The full program is three 30-minute sessions spaced three to four weeks apart, about two to three months from start to finish. Nearly 80 percent of AviClear patients report considerable improvement, results kept building through six months after the final session, and future breakouts came back less often, less severe, and shorter-lived. The Dermatology, Laser & Vein Center was the first practice in Cincinnati to offer AviClear, and we have treated acne here since 2001.
Who is AviClear for?
AviClear is for almost anyone whose acne keeps coming back, whatever its form and whatever your skin tone.
A consultation confirms it. Your provider looks at your acne, your history with topicals or oral medications, and your skin, then tells you honestly whether AviClear alone or a combined plan will clear you fastest.
Your acne is mild, moderate, or severe
AviClear is FDA-cleared for mild, moderate, and severe facial acne, and is used for cystic, inflammatory, and hormonal breakouts.
You have tried creams and pills
It is a drug-free alternative for people who want off the cycle of prescription topicals, antibiotics, birth control, or Accutane.
You have a deeper skin tone
The laser targets oil glands, not melanin, so it is safe and effective for every skin type and tone.
You are a teenager or an adult
Any age can be treated, from teens in the thick of breakouts to adults whose acne never quite left.
You want lasting clearance
The goal is fewer, milder, shorter breakouts long after the third session, not a temporary calm.
Where AviClearworks
AviClear is FDA-cleared for facial acne. Because the laser targets oil glands wherever they misbehave, it can also treat breakouts on the back, chest, and other areas.
Select an area to see what AviClear does there.
AviClear, cheek acne, three months after the final session1 / 4
What clearinglooks like.
These photographs are from the AviClear treatment gallery on the practice's previous website. They show the pattern the clinical data describes: skin that keeps improving for months after the third session, photographed three months to two years later. Drag the handle to compare.
See all AviClear Acne Treatment resultsIndividual results vary. These photographs are from the treatment gallery on the practice's previous website and are not a guarantee of your own outcome.
How AviClear clears acne
On March 24, 2022 the FDA cleared AviClear, a laser acne therapy created by Cutera. The laser delivers a 1726 nm beam of light into the skin, and that wavelength is absorbed by the sebaceous glands rather than by melanin. Those glands release sebum, the oily material that mixes with dead skin cells to clog pores and cause breakouts.
Most acne treatments work on the breakout. AviClear works on the gland producing the oil behind it, halting sebum production rather than clearing what the oil has already caused. Because the target is oil and not pigment, it treats every skin tone, and clinical studies show that breakouts after a full course are less frequent, less severe and shorter lived.
All skin tones. Other laser acne treatments target melanin, which limits them to particular skin tones. AviClear does not, so darker skin is treated the same way.
All forms of acne. Mild through severe, including cystic, inflammatory and hormonal acne.
Any age. Teenagers through senior patients.
Anywhere acne appears. The face, back, chest, buttocks, or anywhere else it shows up.
No prescription. AviClear is a device treatment, so there is no oral drug and no topical to keep up with.
What treatment feels like, and what follows
Three 30 minute sessions, spaced three to four weeks apart, make up a full course. That puts the whole program at roughly two to three months.
AviClear's patented AviCool sapphire skin cooling and sensory controls hold the skin's temperature steady throughout treatment. During the clinical trial, no patients required or used any form of pain relief during or after treatment. Most describe a minor snapping sensation and rate the discomfort around a 3 out of 10. No anesthetic and no needles are involved.
AviClear is a less invasive and safe alternative to prescription topicals, oral drugs and other lasers, and because the laser is cooled by the AviCool system there are no safety concerns tied to toxic chemicals. Some patients see transient redness, or a small temporary increase in acne, after a session.
There is very little downtime, if any, so there is no need to change your routine afterwards. Stay out of tanning beds, and off other acne medications that might irritate your skin, for a few days.
Full results are usually expected between 4 and 12 weeks. Clinical evidence shows significant improvement within three months, with further improvement at six months after the last of the three treatments. Close to 80% of patients report a considerable improvement in how their skin looks.
Recent research shows AviClear clears acne for a long time. Your skin should be less oily after treatment and keep improving for several months, and acne should be less likely to return.
See AviClear at our office
Our own AviClear video introduces the treatment, Cutera explains the science behind the 1726 nm laser, and a third video shows why this is the first treatment that destroys acne at its source.
If you would rather talk it through, a consultation covers everything you see here, for your skin.
Whatto expect.
Book a consultationAviClear is priced for your program at your consultation. It is not covered by insurance, and CareCredit financing is available.
Three half-hour sessions spaced three to four weeks apart, so the full program takes about two to three months. Most patients describe the feeling as a light snapping, around a 3 out of 10.
You go straight back to your day. Some patients see temporary redness or a brief flare; avoid tanning and harsh acne products for a few days.
Significant improvement typically shows about three months after the program, with skin continuing to clear through six months. Nearly 80 percent of AviClear patients report considerable improvement.
Frequently asked questions
What does AviClear feel like?
Most patients describe a minor snapping sensation, rated around 3 out of 10. The built-in AviCool sapphire cooling keeps skin comfortable, and no numbing or anesthetic is needed. In the clinical trial, no patient required pain relief.
Am I a good candidate for AviClear?
Almost anyone with acne is. It is FDA-cleared for mild, moderate, and severe acne, works on cystic, inflammatory, and hormonal breakouts, and is safe for every skin tone at any age. A consultation confirms the right plan for you.
Does AviClear work on darker skin tones?
Yes. The 1726 nm wavelength targets oil glands rather than melanin, so it is safe and effective for all skin types and tones, including skin that older lasers could not treat safely.
How many sessions will I need?
Three 30-minute sessions, spaced three to four weeks apart. The whole program is finished in about two to three months.
When will I see results?
Many patients notice improvement within four to twelve weeks. Clinical results show significant improvement three months after the final session, and skin keeps clearing through six months as the oil glands stay quiet.
Is there any downtime?
Little to none. You can return to normal activities immediately. Temporary redness or a brief breakout flare can occur, and we recommend avoiding tanning and irritating acne products for a few days.
Are the results permanent?
AviClear delivers long-lasting clearance. Treated skin stays less oily and continues to improve for months, and future breakouts tend to be less frequent, less severe, and shorter. Some patients choose a touch-up later.
Can AviClear treat acne on my back or chest?
Yes. The FDA clearance is for facial acne, but the laser can treat breakouts on the back, chest, and other areas where acne appears. We plan the areas at your consultation.
How is AviClear different from Accutane or antibiotics?
Antibiotics and hormonal pills work through your whole system and have to be taken continuously to keep working. Isotretinoin is a different case: for many patients a completed course gives clearance that lasts long after the last pill. AviClear is a drug-free light treatment that changes the behavior of the oil glands themselves, with no prescriptions and no systemic side effects.
How much does AviClear cost?
Cost depends on your program, so we give a customized quote at your consultation. AviClear is not covered by insurance; financing through CareCredit is available.
Where to next
Related treatment
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Clear active acne with light.
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Acne
Active breakouts that topicals have not fixed
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What to Expect with AviClear Acne Treatment
AviClear is the first FDA-cleared laser treatment designed to treat acne by targeting the sebaceous glands, which are responsible for producing oil in the skin.
Read the answerAsk about your skin.
Tell us what you would like to change and we will come back with the treatments that fit, honest expectations, and a time to talk it through.
Your details go straight to our Montgomery Road front desk and are never shared. A team member replies during office hours, usually the same day.
Ready when you are.
Book a consultation at our Montgomery Road office, or call and we will help you decide where to start.
Medically reviewed by Shalini Gupta, MD, Harvard-trained dermatologist and founder of The Dermatology, Laser & Vein Center. Last reviewed September 2026. This page is for education and is not a substitute for a personalized medical consultation.