No treatment is off limits in the quest for clear, blemish-free skin. Plenty promise results, but only some deliver. But all of that is changing with the newest acne treatment, AviClear, a laser from Cutera.
Clearing up acne is no easy feat. One of the leading causes of acne is an overproduction of sebum (oil), acne-causing bacteria, and a buildup of dead skin cells. When the oil can’t release properly or naturally from the pores, it gets stuck within it, causing blemishes and breakouts. But thanks to perhaps the best acne treatment to be introduced onto the market in years, AviClear ends the vicious acne formation cycle. Here, we dive into why AviClear is one of the best acne treatments and how it puts your skin on the path to clarity.
What is the most effective treatment for acne?
There are plenty of ways to tackle acne, but some treatment options come with downtime or take months to work. AviClear is quick, easy, and long-lasting, which is why it’s the best acne treatment for all skin types. All it takes is three quick 30-minute treatments to help clear mild, moderate and severe acne. Plus, since AviClear targets oil production to control breakouts, you’ll notice skin that’s far less oily after the entire course of treatment with no side effects.
What foods can cause acne?
There’s reason to believe that eating a pro-inflammatory high-glycemic-index diet can instigate acne. That’s because certain foods that cause quick blood sugar spikes are related to increased inflammation, which can trigger breakouts. High-glycemic foods include starchy white bread, fried foods, French fries, and sugar-laden foods like cookies and cake.
Research correlates changes to a high-glycemic diet with less acne. The thought is that a low-glycemic diet eliminates blood sugar spikes to reduce inflammation. With less inflammation and fewer spikes, the skin also makes less oil.
Dairy is another acne instigator. Cow-derived milk products of all varieties may trigger breakouts. While the exact mechanism is still unknown, scientists believe milk and milk-based products can increase inflammation and lead to acne.
How do I know if my acne is hormonal or bacterial?
Different factors cause hormonal and bacterial acne and look different on the skin.
Hormonally-induced breakouts are strictly triggered by changes in hormone levels, which can happen during pregnancy, menopause, ovulation, and menstruation. In addition, certain medical conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and thyroid disorders can also affect the normal balance of hormones. When there is an irregular balance of hormones, there is an overproduction of oil, causing pimples to form, which will crop up during your menstrual cycle or when hormonal imbalances are present.
Hormonal acne is characterized by tender, red, and painful cyst-like pimples. It happens more on the lower face, specifically the jawline, chin, neck, and cheeks, but that doesn’t mean the acne can’t occur on other parts of the face.
On the other hand, bacterial acne is linked to an overproduction of acne-causing bacteria, sebum, and inflammation. As a result, bacterial breakouts usually form as blackheads, whiteheads, or small red pimples, although they can be more cyst-like, too.
How does AviClear work to clear up acne?
AviClear is one of the best acne treatments we have at our disposal, and it works to target the source of oil production to clear up acne in three 30-minute treatments. The chemical-free treatment provides long-lasting results and works for all skin types.
Unlike other acne treatments, AviClear harnesses the power of laser light to selectively target and suppress sebaceous glands to eliminate acne at the source without the need for prescription medications. AviClear is the first FDA-cleared device for treating mild, moderate, and severe acne. The treatment is also equipped with the exclusive Avicool sapphire contact skin cooling and sensory controls to maintain the skin’s normal temperature during treatment making it more comfortable.
What type of acne does AviClear work best for?
One of the major benefits of AviClear as an effective acne treatment for all skin types, tones, and ages is that it works on multiple types of acne, including whiteheads, blackheads, cystic acne, and even menopausal acne. In addition, since AviClear, considered the best acne treatment, reduces oil production, it helps to shrink the sebaceous glands—oil production is a common thread amongst all types of acne regardless of the source.
To make the most of your AviClear treatments, your provider may recommend additional skin care products or medications to achieve and maintain your goals. However, even when other forms of acne-controlling medicines are used with AviClear, the number of products and strength of them is drastically reduced.
Does AviClear work like Accutane?
AviClear and Accutane are different acne treatments and have unique modalities of action. For years, Accutane was the go-to treatment for clearing up stubborn cystic acne, and while it is effective, it comes with many side effects like possible depression, dry skin, and chapped lips that take months to resolve. However, AviClear doesn’t offer severe side effects like Accutane, so it’s considered the best acne treatment.
Although Accutane works to regulate sebum production like AviClear does, once you stop taking the medication, the acne can return. But that’s not the case with AviClear since it shrinks the sebaceous glands, producing less oil, leading to fewer clogged pores and a decrease in breakouts. Some skincare experts say that the results of AviClear are comparable to Accutane sans any of the adverse side effects.
What does an AviClear treatment feel like?
A single session of AviClear is quick and easy and not uncomfortable since AviClear is equipped with the exclusive AviCool™ skin cooling and sensory controls to maintain your skin’s temperature during treatment. You may notice a snapping sensation during the treatment, similar to other laser treatments. But unlike other procedures, there is no need to use topical numbing cream or other pain mitigation methods. In clinical studies, patients tolerated the treatment well without needing pain medication or having to stop the treatment.
Even after AviClear, there is no lingering discomfort or pain, but the skin may be red for about 30 minutes before it subsides. Still, there is no downtime, lingering redness, oozing, or crusting, as with many other laser treatments.
How soon will I see the results?
With AviClear, initial results may be seen as soon as three months, with the most dramatic improvement peaking around the six-month mark. Most patients benefit from the entire course of treatment, which consists of three sessions. 92% of patients treated with AviClear saw at least half of their acne resolve at 12 months following treatment. And results may continue to improve with time — even several months after your treatment sessions are finished.
