Acne is an incredibly frustrating skin condition that people of all ages struggle to treat. Most traditional acne treatments require prescription oral medications that have varying side effects. AviClear is an FDA-cleared energy device that targets acne at the source to help patients achieve fewer and less severe breakouts. It requires no prescription medications and is safe for all skin types. One of Our experienced providers at Arlington Dermatology can examine your skin and help you develop a customized treatment plan with AviClear to brighten your skin and clear up stubborn acne.
What is AviClear and How Does It Work?
AviClear is the first FDA-cleared laser device for acne treatment. It uses 1725nm wavelength light to heat sebaceous oil glands in the skin and damage them, preventing oil secretion. Sebum oil is naturally produced in the skin, and it is helpful for protecting the skin barrier and keeping your skin moisturized. However, the overproduction of sebum creates a buildup of oil on the surface of the skin that mixes with dead skin cells and surface debris. This clogs the pores and leads to breakouts. By targeting overactive sebaceous glands (the root cause of acne), AviClear prevents clogged pores and stops acne formation.
What Can AviClear Treat?
AviClear can effectively treat mild to severe acne, including conditions like:

- Whiteheads and blackheads
- Papules and pustules
- Inflammation and skin redness
How Do I Prepare for AviClear?
Before AviClear treatment, your provider will examine your skin, discuss your medical history, and ask about your cosmetic goals to make sure AviClear is right for you. Adolescent and adult patients can benefit from the AviClear procedure. Before AviClear treatment, you should avoid:
- Accutane for 3 months
- Tanning
- Retinols or chemical exfoliants
What Should I Expect with AviClear?

At the start of your AviClear treatment session, your skin will first be thoroughly cleansed to remove any makeup or surface debris. The AviClear laser device will be passed over your skin and you may feel a mild snapping sensation, similar to a rubber band, as light pulses selectively target the oil glands in your skin. The laser is equipped with AviCool sapphire skin cooling technology to keep you comfortable during treatment. AviCool also monitors the skin’s temperature to protect the surrounding skin from overheating. The entire treatment only takes 30 minutes and is considered minimally uncomfortable by most patients.
What Should I Expect After AviClear?
There is no downtime after AviClear treatments, but you may notice some skin redness for a few hours. Avoid direct sun exposure and apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen daily for 10 days post-treatment. Patients typically require three 30-minute sessions scheduled 4-6 weeks apart. The frequency and severity of your acne breakouts will gradually improve with each treatment and clear, unblemished skin can be seen about 3-4 weeks after your final treatment.
Schedule a Consultation
AviClear targets acne at the source, making it a revolutionary laser treatment for acne treatment in Arlington, VA. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about AviClear and take the first step toward acne treatment with long-term results.
AviClear FAQs
Can AviClear be used on active acne breakouts?
Yes, AviClear can be used on all forms of acne from mild, moderate, and severe.
Is there any recovery time after AviClear treatment?
You leave your treatment slightly pink, but otherwise, it doesn’t appear that you’ve had a treatment done. You have to avoid working out and makeup for 24 hours. Other than that, zero downtime!
How long is an AviClear treatment session?
The whole visit is about an hour long.
Does insurance cover AviClear treatment?
Unfortunately, no. Since it is considered cosmetic, it is not covered by insurance.
Is AviClear painful?
It depends on your pain tolerance, but generally it is described as mildly uncomfortable. Almost all patients can tolerate the full treatment, but if it is too uncomfortable the strength of treatment can be turned down.
How long do the results of AviClear last?
Best results are seen 6 months post treatment with continued effectiveness up to at least 2 years and likely beyond.
How long should I wait between AviClear treatments?
4 weeks are recommended between treatments.