Aviclear
Aviclear Treatment
Aviclear Treatment Statistics and Key Information
- Patient Satisfaction Rate
- 95%
- Average Treatment Cost
- See provider pricing
- Number of Reviews
- 191
- Treatment Downtime Duration
- Varies
- Number of Available Practitioners
- 5
Overview
AviClear is a laser treatment for acne. Not light therapy, not skincare, not meds. It uses a 1726 nm laser wavelength that specifically targets sebaceous glands. That wavelength is tuned to fat and water in a way that heats the oil glands and down-regulates how much sebum they produce. Less oil means fewer clogged pores and less fuel for acne. The key thing is it’s doing this without needles, without antibiotics, and without isotretinoin. It’s basically trying to calm the oil factory at the source rather than chasing breakouts after they happen.
Goals of Aviclear treatment
- Reduce excess sebum production long-term
- Improve inflammatory acne without oral medication
- Lower relapse rates compared with short-term topical fixes
- Give people an option when antibiotics or isotretinoin feel like too much
Treatment Options
- Compared to isotretinoin, AviClear avoids systemic side effects but may be less dramatic for very severe nodulocystic acne
- Compared to antibiotics, it doesn’t create resistance or need long courses
- Compared to blue or red light therapy, AviClear penetrates deeper and targets sebaceous glands directly
- Topicals still matter, but AviClear goes after the root oil production
Pros
- Drug-free and non-invasive
- No needles, no downtime in the classic sense
- Can be used in people who can’t or won’t take isotretinoin
- Early studies show continued improvement months after finishing sessions
Cons
- Expensive and usually not NHS-covered
- Requires multiple sessions (usually three)
- Results are gradual, not instant
- Long-term data is still emerging compared to decades of isotretinoin data
Candidate & Preparation
Who is a Good Candidate
- People with moderate to severe inflammatory acne
- Those who relapse after antibiotics
- Patients who can’t take isotretinoin or don’t want to
- Adults and teens with oil-driven acne rather than purely hormonal flares
Appointments & Safety
What Happens During Appointment
The session lasts around 30 to 60 minutes. The provider moves the handpiece across the face in sections. You’ll feel heat pulses. There’s no skin break. Afterwards you look flushed, like post-workout skin.
Pain Considerations
Most people describe it as hot snapping or elastic-band flicks. There’s contact cooling built into the device and clinics often use topical numbing. It’s uncomfortable but tolerable.
Safety Considerations
AviClear is non-ablative, meaning it doesn’t break the skin. No radiation, no systemic absorption. Temporary redness and swelling are common but serious complications are rare when used correctly.
Cost & Access
Typical Prices
In the UK, most clinics quote roughly GBP 2,000 to GBP 3,500 for a full course of three treatments.
Results & Maintenance
How Long Results Last
Clinical data shows continued improvement at 6 and 12 months after the final treatment. Because sebaceous glands are down-regulated rather than destroyed completely, results may soften over years rather than vanish suddenly.
Maintenance Requirements
The standard protocol is three sessions spaced about four weeks apart. Maintenance isn’t routinely required, but some clinics suggest reassessment after a year if acne slowly returns.
Regulation & Guidelines
NICE Guidelines
There is no specific NICE guideline for AviClear yet. It sits in the cosmetic and private dermatology space.
FDA Guidelines
Cleared by the FDA for the treatment of mild to severe acne.
MHRA Guidelines
Covered under medical device regulation in the UK via CE marking rather than drug approval.
What to Do If Something Goes Wrong
- AviClear is CE-marked for use in the UK and cleared by the FDA in the US
- If something feels off, contact the clinic immediately and seek medical review
- Adverse events can be reported through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme
