A New Era in Acne Treatment: Targeting the Root Cause with AviClear and Advanced Laser Technology

How AviClear, Secret RF, Secret PRO, Laser Genesis, and Excel V are reshaping the modern approach to acne, acne scars, redness, pigmentation, and uneven skin texture.

Acne is the most common skin condition worldwide, but its impact can extend far beyond the occasional breakout. Persistent acne can lead to inflammation, discoloration, scarring, and changes in skin texture—and for many patients, these concerns can have a meaningful effect on confidence and quality of life.

For decades, dermatologists have relied on topical medications, oral therapies, and isotretinoin to manage acne. While these treatments can be highly effective, modern laser and energy-based technologies are creating additional options for appropriately selected patients.

One of the most significant developments is AviClear, a 1726 nm laser specifically designed to target the sebaceous glands—the oil-producing structures that play an important role in acne.

Today, acne treatment can go beyond managing individual breakouts. The goal is increasingly to understand the underlying causes of acne, control active disease, minimize the risk of scarring, and then address the pigmentation, redness, and textural changes that may remain.

Why Targeting the Root Cause of Acne Matters

Acne develops through several interconnected processes, including excess sebum production, clogged pores, inflammation, and changes involving Cutibacterium acnes.

Traditional treatment options include over-the-counter skincare, prescription topical medications, oral medications, hormonal therapies, and isotretinoin. Depending on the patient, these approaches can produce excellent results. However, they may also involve limitations such as skin irritation, dryness, medication-related side effects, or the need for continued treatment.

Isotretinoin has long been recognized for its ability to produce prolonged acne remission. One of the reasons it is so effective is its profound effect on sebaceous glands and sebum production.

However, isotretinoin is a systemic prescription medication that requires careful medical supervision. For some patients, an effective treatment option that works locally rather than systemically may be appealing.

This is where advances in laser dermatology have opened an important new area of treatment.

AviClear: A New Approach to Acne Treatment

AviClear is a 1726 nm laser designed to selectively target sebaceous glands.

Rather than simply treating the visible appearance of individual pimples, the technology is designed to address one of the underlying drivers of acne: excessive sebaceous gland activity.

The 1726 nm wavelength is absorbed by the sebaceous glands, allowing controlled laser energy to reach the structures involved in oil production.

A typical AviClear treatment course consists of three approximately 30-minute treatments. There is generally little downtime, making the procedure an attractive option for patients who want an in-office acne treatment without the recovery associated with some more aggressive procedures.

Clinical research has demonstrated progressive improvement following treatment, with significant acne improvement reported in long-term follow-up.

Importantly, treatment results can vary from patient to patient. The appropriate treatment approach depends on acne severity, skin type, medical history, previous treatments, and other individual factors.

AviClear may also be used to treat acne in areas beyond the face, depending on the patient's diagnosis and treatment plan.

When Should You See a Dermatologist for Acne?

Over-the-counter acne products can be a reasonable starting point for many patients with mild acne. Ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and topical retinoids may be useful when appropriately selected and tolerated.

But acne is not one-size-fits-all.

Different types of acne require different approaches, and persistent breakouts may sometimes be associated with hormonal factors, medications, underlying medical conditions, or other dermatologic disorders.

Waiting too long to address persistent acne can also increase the risk of developing acne scars and prolonged discoloration.

If you have consistently used appropriate over-the-counter treatments for approximately one to two months without meaningful improvement, it may be time to consult a dermatologist.

A professional evaluation can help:

• Confirm the diagnosis

• Determine the type and severity of acne

• Identify contributing factors

• Discuss prescription treatment options

• Evaluate the risk of permanent scarring

• Determine whether an in-office procedure may be appropriate

The earlier active acne is appropriately controlled, the better positioned patients may be to prevent additional scarring.

Control Active Acne Before Treating Acne Scars

One of the most important principles in acne scar management is timing.

Treating significant acne scarring while active acne remains uncontrolled can be frustrating. Acne scar procedures often require multiple treatment sessions, and continued breakouts can create new scars while older scars are being treated.

For this reason, the first priority is generally to bring active acne under control.

Once the disease is stabilized, attention can shift toward treating the changes acne has left behind—including depressed scars, enlarged pores, uneven texture, pigmentation, and redness.

Acne Scars Require a Personalized Treatment Plan

There is no single procedure that is ideal for every acne scar.

Acne scars can differ significantly in their depth, shape, and underlying structure. A patient may have rolling scars, boxcar scars, ice-pick scars, enlarged pores, pigmentation, redness, or a combination of several concerns.

The first step should therefore be a thorough skin evaluation.

Once the type and severity of scarring are identified, a dermatologist can determine whether one treatment or a combination of technologies is appropriate.

This individualized approach is particularly important because acne scars often require treatment at different depths and through different mechanisms.

Secret RF and Secret PRO for Acne Scars and Skin Texture

Secret RF and Secret PRO provide additional options for patients dealing with acne scars, enlarged pores, uneven texture, and other signs of skin damage.

Radiofrequency microneedling uses controlled microneedling combined with radiofrequency energy to deliver heat into targeted layers of the skin. This can stimulate remodeling and collagen production and may improve the appearance of selected acne scars and textural irregularities.

Secret PRO combines fractional CO₂ laser resurfacing with radiofrequency microneedling, allowing physicians to approach skin concerns through different mechanisms and depths.

Depending on the patient's skin, scar type, and treatment goals, these technologies may also be used to address:

• Enlarged pores

• Uneven skin texture

• Fine lines

• Sun damage

• Skin laxity

• Overall skin rejuvenation

As with any energy-based treatment, results and risks depend on appropriate patient selection, treatment settings, skin type, and provider experience.

Laser Genesis: Improving Overall Skin Quality

Not every acne patient needs an aggressive resurfacing procedure.

Laser Genesis provides a different approach for patients looking to improve overall skin quality with little to no downtime.

The treatment uses non-ablative laser energy and can be incorporated into a broader skincare or treatment strategy. It may help improve the appearance of redness, uneven skin tone, and overall skin texture.

Because treatment does not require significant downtime, it can also be appealing to patients who want a refreshed appearance before an important event.

Some patients describe this type of treatment as a “red carpet glow”—a polished, refreshed appearance without the recovery associated with more intensive resurfacing procedures.

Treating the Dark Marks Acne Leaves Behind

A pimple may disappear long before the discoloration it leaves behind.

Inflammation from acne can trigger post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), leaving brown or darker marks that can persist for weeks or months after the original breakout has resolved.

Treatment depends on the cause and appearance of the discoloration, as well as the patient's skin type.

In selected patients, resurfacing technologies such as Secret PRO may be incorporated into a treatment plan to improve uneven pigmentation and skin texture.

Importantly, treating pigmentation is not simply about removing discoloration. Preventing new inflammation and controlling active acne are also essential parts of long-term management.

Treating Red and Pink Acne Marks

Not all acne marks are brown.

Some patients develop persistent red or pink discoloration following inflammatory acne. These marks can result from vascular changes within the skin and may require a different treatment strategy from pigmentation.

Excel V is a vascular laser platform designed to target blood vessels at different depths within the skin.

Depending on the patient's individual condition, vascular laser treatment may help reduce the appearance of persistent redness associated with acne and other vascular skin concerns.

Excel V and Laser Genesis may also have applications for patients with overlapping concerns such as rosacea, sun-related redness, or other vascular conditions.

A proper diagnosis is important because redness can have many causes, and the ideal treatment depends on what is actually producing the discoloration.

Not Every Laser for Acne Targets the Same Thing

As laser and energy-based treatments become increasingly popular, it is important to understand that not every device treats acne in the same way.

Some technologies can improve the appearance of inflammatory acne, redness, or skin texture. Others are primarily designed to remodel collagen or treat pigmentation.

AviClear is different in that its 1726 nm wavelength is specifically designed to target the sebaceous glands.

This distinction matters because excess sebum production is an important component of acne.

Rather than simply treating the surface appearance of a breakout, AviClear is designed to address an underlying contributor to acne by selectively delivering energy to sebaceous glands.

Who May Be a Candidate for AviClear?

AviClear may be worth discussing with a dermatologist for patients who:

• Continue to experience acne despite appropriate topical treatment

• Have not achieved adequate control with conventional therapies

• Want to reduce their reliance on long-term medication

• Are looking for a non-systemic treatment option

• Are unable or unwilling to take isotretinoin

• Are interested in a technology specifically designed to target sebaceous gland activity

AviClear can be considered across a range of acne presentations, but candidacy should always be determined through an individualized dermatologic evaluation.

The cost of laser treatment can also be an important consideration, as these procedures may not be covered by insurance.

The Future of Laser-Based Acne Treatment

The development of the 1726 nm wavelength represents an important advancement in energy-based acne treatment because it provides physicians with a way to specifically target sebaceous glands.

Research continues to explore the potential applications of sebaceous-gland-targeting technologies and their role in managing conditions associated with excess oil production.

At Dermatology and Laser of Beverly Hills, Dr. Ehsan Azimi combines detailed dermatologic evaluation with advanced laser and energy-based technologies to develop individualized treatment strategies for patients with acne, acne scars, redness, pigmentation, and uneven skin texture.

The objective is not simply to treat today's breakout.

Modern acne care is about taking a comprehensive approach: control active acne, minimize the risk of future scarring, and then address the scars, pigmentation, redness, and textural changes that acne may leave behind.

For patients considering laser or energy-based acne treatment, the most important first step is a professional evaluation. The right technology depends on the patient's skin, the type of acne or scarring present, previous treatments, and individual goals.

Final Thoughts

Acne treatment has evolved significantly.

Today, dermatologists have more tools than ever to address not only active acne but also the long-term consequences of the disease. From sebaceous-gland-targeting technology such as AviClear to resurfacing and collagen-remodeling treatments such as Secret RF and Secret PRO, and vascular and skin-quality treatments such as Excel V and Laser Genesis, these technologies can play different roles within a comprehensive treatment plan.

The key is not choosing the most advanced device simply because it is new.

The key is choosing the right treatment for the right patient at the right time.

When active acne is controlled first and residual scarring, pigmentation, redness, and texture are addressed strategically, treatment can become more personalized—and potentially more effective.

About Dermatology and Laser of Beverly Hills

At Dermatology and Laser of Beverly Hills, Dr. Ehsan Azimi focuses on combining dermatologic expertise with advanced laser technology to create personalized treatment plans for patients seeking clearer, healthier-looking skin.

If you are struggling with persistent acne, acne scars, redness, pigmentation, or uneven skin texture, a comprehensive dermatologic consultation can help determine which treatment options may be appropriate for you.

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