Introducing AviClear
Tired of stubborn acne? You’re not alone. More than half of Singaporeans know the struggle of acne, a condition that affects adults just as much as teenagers. It’s not just about appearance as acne can leave scars on up to 60% of sufferers, and even lead to anxiety, depression, and social isolation.
AviClear offers a new hope. This FDA-cleared treatment tackles the root cause of acne: excess oil production. Unlike traditional treatments that often focus on removing dead skin or controlling Cutibacterium acnes bacteria, AviClear uses a gentle light technology to reduce oil gland activity. This innovative approach is designed to be safe for all skin types, with minimal downtime and high patient satisfaction.
How does it work
Understanding the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris is essential in understanding how AviClear treats acne. Acne vulgaris arises from a complex interplay of factors. Androgen hormones, particularly during puberty, can lead to increased sebum production. This oil, along with abnormally sticky skin cells (follicular hyperkeratinization), can clog pores. The bacterium Cutibacterium acnes, normally present on the skin, thrives in this oily environment and contributes to inflammation. The body’s immune response to these clogged pores and bacterial activity then manifests as the various types of pimples seen in acne vulgaris.
The AviClear laser system is a unique infrared diode laser technology that emits infrared light with a wavelength of 1726nm. This state-of-the-art approach is made possible by utilizing sebum as a potential endogenous chromophore that strongly absorbs infrared light with a wavelength of 1726nm more readily than the surrounding skin. This targeted approach allows the laser to gently heat and potentially reduce the activity of these oil glands, ultimately leading to clearer skin.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation a complication associated with laser treatment, is especially common in people with darker complexion, AviClear aims to minimize this risk. It features a unique and proprietary cooling system called AviCool that keeps things comfortable throughout the treatment. This system uses a combination of a chilled sapphire tip and smart sensors to deliver cooling before, during, and after the laser irradiation. This helps reduce thermal injury to the outer layers of your skin, protecting it and potentially reducing the chance of discoloration, making AviClear a safer option for a wider range of skin tones.
As AviClear treats the source of acne, it is a highly effective, safe, and lasting solution for acne without the need for prescription drugs.
How Effective is AviClear?
AviClear has been proven highly effective, with extensive clinical studies supporting its claims. Clinical studies have shown that a significant portion of patients experience improvement with 78% seeing at least 50% improvement within three months. These results continued to improve over time, with 87% of patients responding positively after six months and 92% after twelve months. The improvement was not limited to those with mild acne; even patients with moderate and severe acne experienced significant benefits, with a 97% reduction in the number of acne nodules six months after the final treatment session.
Are there side effects?
AviClear is designed to be comfortable and minimize downtime. It is safe and effective for all skin types and colors. Most patients find the treatment tolerable, and clinical studies report that no sessions were ended prematurely due to discomfort. The most common side effects are temporary redness and swelling of the skin immediately after treatment. These are typical and expected after laser therapy, and they usually resolve on their own within a few hours. Importantly, there haven’t been any reports of serious side effects associated with AviClear.
Some patients will see “purging” or worsening of their acne after their first treatment. This is similar to the purging seen when patients start on isotretinoin or topical retinoids, which can be reduced with the use of oral antibiotics. The risk of purging reduces with the second and third treatments, as the oil glands become less active.
AviClear boasts a strong safety profile in clinical studies, with no reported cases of blistering, scarring, or permanent skin discoloration (hyper- or hypopigmentation).
How does AviClear compare to other laser for acne treatment?
While other laser treatments offer benefits for acne, AviClear sets itself apart as the only FDA-approved option for all severities of acne vulgaris.
Some of the other laser treatments for acne include:
- IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is effective in the treatment of acne; however, it delivers temporary results and may not be suitable for all skin tones.
- Carbon Laser Peel is more marketing than science, as studies show minimal impact on oil glands, a key factor in acne formation.
- Picosecond/Q-Switch Lasers excel at treating post-acne scarring but lacks FDA approval for acne itself.
- Fotona Laser System is effective for mild to moderate acne but it is not FDA-approved for severe cases.
AviClear’s unique technology directly targets and shrinks sebaceous glands, the source of excess oil production that leads to breakouts. This FDA-approved approach delivers lasting results in just three-monthly sessions, making it a powerful option for achieving clear, beautiful skin.
Can I combine AviClear with other treatments?
Yes! You can combine AviClear with other treatments. At the Clifford Clinic, we offer a powerful combination of AviClear, AGNES Acne and Gold PTT for patients with severe nodular cystic acne.
AGNES Acne is a minimally invasive acne treatment in Singapore that combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to target the root causes of acne – excess oil production and inflammation. It works by precisely targeting the problematic pores that keep causing breakouts. Studies show AGNES Acne can clear over 83% of non-inflamed acne and over 93% of inflamed acne in just three treatments!
Gold PTT, or Gold Photothermal Therapy, is a novel acne treatment that combines microscopic gold particles with laser technology. The gold nanoparticles target problem areas, and when exposed to a specific laser, they heat up. This heating kills acne-causing bacteria, reduces inflammation, and shrinks oil glands, all contributing to clearer skin.
AviClear is a laser treatment that uses light to gently reduce overall sebum (oil) production. This helps prevent future breakouts and complements the pore-targeting work of AGNES Acne. Together, they offer a comprehensive approach to achieving clearer, smoother skin.
Can I combine AviClear with acne scar treatment?
For the most effective outcome, we recommend addressing both active acne and acne scars simultaneously during your AviClear treatment program. Ideally, these treatments are spaced one week apart to ensure optimal results.
Our expert team will tailor a personalized acne scar treatment plan based on the unique severity of your acne and scarring. This plan may incorporate a combination of various treatments, including lasers, radiofrequency microneedling devices, and injectables.
For a more in-depth exploration of these acne scar treatment options, please refer to our dedicated post.
What should I expect from the treatment?
AviClear features a unique cooling system called AviCool™ that keeps things comfortable throughout the session. You might feel a gentle snapping sensation during treatment, but clinical studies show patients tolerate it well without the need for pain relief.
AviClear treatments are quick and comfortable, typically lasting around 30 minutes. Most patients find the treatment tolerable without numbing cream. However, for those who prefer extra comfort, we can always discuss using a topical anesthetic beforehand.
How many treatment sessions are required?
At least 3 sessions are required, each spaced 4-6 weeks apart.
