AviClear

AviClear emerges as a beacon of hope for teenagers struggling with acne. Its innovative approach provides a non-pharmaceutical solution, tailored specifically for teenage skin. With formulations suitable for individuals as young as 13, AviClear broadens accessibility and effectiveness, empowering teens to regain control over their skin. Parents can explore AviClear as a safe and effective treatment option for their teens, offering long-term relief from acne breakouts.

Most acne treatments target the surface symptoms of acne. Topical creams, antibiotics and oral medications work on inflammation, bacteria or skin turnover. AviClear works further upstream, on the underlying biological cause: sebum.

Sebum is the oily substance produced by sebaceous glands in the skin. When sebum production is excessive, it combines with dead skin cells, clogs pores and creates the conditions for acne to form. Most acne treatments target other things that cause acne, but not the production of sebum itself.

AviClear uses a precisely targeted laser energy at 1726 nanometres to selectively reach and suppress sebaceous glands beneath the skin's surface. By reducing sebum production at source, AviClear addresses the underlying cause of acne, rather than managing symptoms alone.

The technology is designed to leave the surrounding skin unharmed, so the treatment is suitable for all skin tones and types, including darker skin, where pigmentation risks would normally be a concern with traditional laser therapy.

An AviClear course consists of three 30-minute treatment sessions, spaced four to six weeks apart. Most patients complete the full course within three months.

Each session begins with a brief skin cleanse. The AviClear device is then applied to the treatment area in a series of controlled pulses. AviClear is equipped with AviCool sapphire skin cooling and integrated sensors that maintain skin temperature throughout, keeping the experience comfortable. During treatment you may notice a slight snapping sensation as each pulse is delivered.

There is no downtime. Most patients return to normal activities immediately after each session. As this is a laser treatment, we recommend wearing daily sun protection, particularly during summer months or with significant sun exposure.

Results typically begin to appear within the treatment course and continue to improve in the months following the third session. The treatment can be applied to acne on the face, upper and lower back, and chest.

AviClear is suitable for patients with mild, moderate or severe acne, from age 13 upwards. It can be used on all skin types and tones. Because the device targets sebaceous glands rather than pigment, there is no elevated risk of hyperpigmentation in darker skin, which makes it a useful option for patients who have been advised to avoid traditional laser routes.

AviClear is particularly relevant for patients who:

• Have not responded fully to topical or oral acne therapies
• Are looking for a non-pharmaceutical alternative to medications such as Roaccutane
• Have struggled with recurring acne after previous treatment courses
• Want to reduce dependence on long-term oral antibiotics
• Have a history of hormonal acne that has not been resolved by hormonal management alone

AviClear is not suitable for patients who are pregnant. Anyone who is pregnant should speak to their GP about alternative options, taking into consideration any risk factors. Suitability is confirmed at consultation with one of our dermatologists or aesthetic doctors.

AviClear received FDA clearance in March 2022, making it the first FDA-cleared energy device for the treatment of mild, moderate and severe acne. It is manufactured by Cutera, a US-based medical device company with over twenty years of clinical laser experience.

In the clinical studies that supported FDA clearance, 87% of patients treated with AviClear saw at least half of their acne resolve at the six-month follow-up after completing their three-session course. Results were observed to continue improving in the months after the final session, as sebum production stabilised at the reduced level.

Side effect profile in clinical studies was minimal. Patients tolerated treatment well, with no unexpected or serious post-treatment effects reported. The most common transient effect during treatment is a slight snapping sensation; this resolves immediately.

Cutera continues to publish ongoing real-world outcome data and PHI Clinic clinicians are part of the UK clinical community contributing to that body of evidence.

PHI Clinic was the first UK clinic to introduce AviClear in 2023. Dr Tapan Patel, our Medical Director, is a Key Opinion Leader for Cutera, the parent company of AviClear, which means our clinical team is trained directly by the device manufacturer and contributes to ongoing UK clinical development of the technology.

AviClear treatments at PHI Clinic are delivered by clinicians hand-selected by Dr Tapan and trained to a consistent standard of safety and outcome. The same clinical protocol applies whether your treatment is delivered by a doctor, nurse prescriber or trained therapist.

An AviClear course of three sessions is £3,850. This includes all three treatment sessions, follow-up review and aftercare guidance. A new patient consultation with a cosmetic doctor is £125 and is required before treatment begins. The consultation establishes your suitability for AviClear, discusses your full acne history, and confirms the right treatment pathway for you. For some patients, AviClear is part of a wider combination plan that may include skincare, peels or hormonal management; your consultation will set this out.

Compared to long-term courses of prescription medication, oral antibiotics or repeated topical regimens spread over years, a single AviClear course represents a defined, finite treatment plan with measurable milestones. For patients who have been managing acne for several years, this is often the relevant comparison rather than the headline price.

To book a consultation, please contact our team or call 0207 034 5999.