AviClear® vs Accutane®: Which Acne Treatment Is Right for You?

If you’ve struggled with acne for years, you’ve probably heard of Accutane®. But there’s a newer option that’s quickly gaining attention—and changing lives—called AviClear®. Whether your breakouts are hormonal, cystic, or seemingly impossible to manage, you might be wondering: which one actually works better? What are the side effects? And how do you choose between them?

In this article, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about AviClear® vs Accutane®. We’ll walk through how each treatment works, what the experience is like, how long results take, and why more and more people are choosing AviClear® as a gentler, drug-free approach to long-term acne clearance.

WHAT IS AVICLEAR®?

AviClear® is the first FDA-cleared laser treatment designed specifically for acne. Unlike topical creams or oral medications that try to treat symptoms, AviClear® targets acne at the root: the sebaceous glands.

These oil-producing glands are responsible for clogging your pores and triggering inflammation and breakouts. AviClear® uses a precise 1726 nm wavelength laser to gently heat and shrink these glands. Over time, they produce far less oil—meaning fewer clogged pores, fewer breakouts, and a noticeable reduction in acne activity overall.

What makes AviClear® especially exciting is that it works without medication, hormones, or downtime. Treatments are done in a series of three sessions, spaced about four to six weeks apart. Each one takes around 30 minutes, and clients go right back to their normal routines immediately afterward. You don’t need to pause your skincare or stop any prescriptions. In fact, most people continue using their usual products throughout the process.

The treatment itself feels like a warm, prickly sensation that’s balanced out by the device’s cooling sapphire tip. Most clients tolerate it easily—and unlike chemical peels or laser resurfacing, there’s no peeling or extended redness afterward. The skin may look slightly flushed immediately after treatment, but that typically fades within 10 minutes. If you have very sensitive skin, it might last closer to an hour, but that’s about as intense as it gets.

WHAT IS ACCUTANE®?

Accutane is a household name for a reason. It’s been prescribed for decades as a powerful oral treatment for moderate to severe acne. The active ingredient, isotretinoin, is derived from vitamin A and works by shrinking the oil glands all over the body. Like AviClear, it gets to the root of acne—but it does so systemically, which means it affects your entire body, not just your skin.

Because of that, Accutane requires strict medical supervision. Most people take it daily for 4–6 months, and the treatment protocol includes monthly blood tests, dermatology check-ins, and—for women of childbearing age—participation in the iPLEDGE program with strict birth control requirements. There’s also a long list of side effects, ranging from dry lips and joint pain to more serious concerns like liver strain or mood changes.

Still, for some, Accutane can be a turning point—especially for very severe, widespread acne. But the experience isn’t easy, and the side effects can be disruptive to daily life.

WHAT DOES THE TREATMENT PROCESS LOOK LIKE?

With AviClear®, the treatment process is refreshingly simple. You’ll come in for three sessions, typically one month apart. There’s no prep beforehand—you don’t have to stop antibiotics, Accutane, or even tretinoin. You can go about your day immediately after each session, with little more than a slight flush to your skin for a few minutes. It’s safe for every skin tone and skin type, and because it doesn’t rely on medication, there’s no impact on your hormones, liver, or immune system.

By contrast, Accutane is a much more involved journey. Taking it means keeping up with daily pills, monthly lab work, and frequent dermatologist appointments. You’ll likely deal with dry lips, skin sensitivity, and fatigue. Many clients also need to stop using exfoliants, waxing, and certain skincare products for the duration of treatment. And if you’re pregnant—or could become pregnant—it’s not an option due to the risk of serious birth defects.

In short, AviClear® fits easily into most people’s lives. Accutane often requires planning your life around the treatment.

WHEN DO RESULTS START TO SHOW?

This is where it gets exciting. With AviClear®, most clients start seeing improvements just a few weeks after their final treatment. The first changes are usually subtle: fewer new pimples popping up, less inflammation, and skin that just feels calmer overall. From there, results continue to build. Full results typically come into view around 9 months after the last session.

We’ve seen clients at CLEAR go from inflamed, painful breakouts to completely clear skin—without ever taking a single pill. Most achieve 90 to 97% clearance, and some even reach 100% clearance. And here’s the best part: because AviClear® physically shrinks the oil glands, the results are long-lasting and often permanent.

With Accutane, most people finish their course within 4–6 months and begin seeing results during or shortly after treatment. Many experience major improvement—up to 80–90% clearance. However, relapses are common. It’s not unusual for acne to return months or even years later, especially if hormones shift or other triggers arise. In those cases, a second round of Accutane may be needed.

WHAT ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS?

This might be the biggest difference between the two.

AviClear’s side effects are minimal. You may look a little flushed right after treatment, but that typically fades within 10 minutes. If your skin is extra sensitive, redness might linger for an hour or so. Some clients experience a brief “purge” as oil glands shut down and deeper clogged pores come to the surface. But there’s no peeling, no downtime, and no risk of systemic side effects. AviClear is safe for all skin tones and doesn’t impact your internal health.

Accutane, on the other hand, comes with a long list of side effects that can range from uncomfortable to serious. Nearly everyone deals with extremely dry lips, nosebleeds, and peeling skin. Many report fatigue, joint pain, and difficulty with sun exposure. Lab tests are needed to monitor liver function and cholesterol. And for some people, the psychological effects—like depression or anxiety—can be a concern. Accutane is not safe during pregnancy and requires strict contraception protocols.

If you’re looking for a treatment that won’t disrupt your daily life or your health, AviClear has a clear advantage.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

AviClear® is typically priced around $3,000 to $4,000 for the full three-treatment series. While it’s considered a cosmetic procedure and isn’t usually covered by insurance, many clinics offer affordable financing options through companies like Cherry or CareCredit, making monthly payments very doable for most clients.

Accutane itself is often covered by insurance if your acne is classified as severe. However, the hidden costs can add up quickly—monthly dermatologist visits, blood tests, lab work, birth control, and over-the-counter products to manage dryness and irritation. So while the pill itself may be cheap, the full treatment process can be expensive and time-consuming in its own way.

SO… WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

The right choice depends on your skin, your health, and your lifestyle.

If you’re looking for a drug-free, low-maintenance solution with permanent results, AviClear might be your perfect match. It’s ideal for hormonal acne, adult acne, or anyone who’s tried everything else and is ready for a new approach. It’s safe, gentle, and delivers real, lasting change.

If your acne is very severe, scarring, and hasn’t responded to anything else—and you’re okay with a more intense process—Accutane may still be worth considering. But for many people today, especially those who are wary of side effects or don’t want to take oral medications, AviClear is becoming the clear choice.

WHY WE CHOSE AVICLEAR AT CLEAR ACNE TREATMENT CENTERS

At CLEAR, we specialize exclusively in AviClear®. We’ve performed hundreds of treatments across our Austin, Dallas, and Houston centers, and we’ve seen incredible results—especially in clients who were told Accutane was their only option.

We’ve helped teens, adults, and even clients who’ve already tried Accutane find real, lasting clearance with AviClear. It’s effective. It’s safe. And it fits into people’s real lives. When a treatment consistently delivers 90–97% clearance—and sometimes 100%—without disrupting your health, it’s an easy choice.

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