Considering the Accure® Laser for Acne? Here’s What to Know
If you’ve been dealing with acne for years—and feel like you’ve tried every cream, pill, or prescription available—laser treatments might be on your radar. One of the newest devices to receive FDA clearance is the Accure® Laser, a 1726nm laser that targets acne at its source by shrinking the skin’s oil glands.
Accure® is often described as a breakthrough option for people with moderate acne who are looking for long-term results without daily medications. But while the idea is exciting, the treatment is still relatively new—and the experience can be very different from what you might expect.
In this article, we’ll break down what the Accure® Laser is, how it works, what the treatment process feels like, what results you can expect, and what to consider before committing to it.
WHAT IS THE ACCURE® LASER?
The Accure® Laser is a non-ablative, 1726-nanometer laser designed to treat acne by targeting the sebaceous glands—the oil-producing glands in your skin that play a major role in breakouts. By delivering precise heat to these glands, Accure® aims to permanently shrink them, leading to less oil production, fewer clogged pores, and fewer breakouts over time.
In October 2024, Accure® received FDA clearance for the treatment of acne, joining a small group of energy-based devices officially approved for this use. It’s being marketed as a long-term solution for inflammatory acne, especially in clients who have not responded well to traditional treatments.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Accure® uses a selective photothermolysis technique, meaning it targets specific structures in the skin (in this case, oil glands) using a laser that is absorbed by both lipids and water. The 1726nm wavelength allows the device to penetrate deeply into the skin without damaging the surface layer.
The laser heats the sebaceous glands just enough to cause controlled damage, which gradually reduces their activity. With fewer active oil glands, the skin becomes less prone to clogged pores and inflammation—leading to a decrease in both breakouts and oiliness.
Because oil production is one of the major contributors to acne, targeting it directly is seen as a more permanent approach than treatments that only manage symptoms.
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT LIKE?
Each session typically takes around two or more hours for a full face, especially when accounting for preparation, anesthesia, and multiple passes of the laser. The process is known to be intense, so pain management is a major part of the experience.
Most providers begin with topical numbing cream, and many also offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to help ease discomfort and anxiety. For more comprehensive pain control, nerve block injections are often used—these are local anesthetic injections that numb larger portions of the face and are considered the most effective option for tolerating the treatment comfortably.
Even with these measures, the procedure can still feel intense in certain areas or if the numbing isn’t completely uniform. You’ll want to block off a good portion of your day and plan some recovery time afterward, especially if it’s your first session.
IS THERE DOWNTIME?
Yes—Accure® often comes with visible downtime, especially in the hours and days immediately following treatment. Common side effects include:
Redness and swelling, especially around the treated areas
Dryness or flaking as the skin repairs itself
Tenderness or burning sensations
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (increased risk in medium to deeper skin tones)
In rare cases, blistering or scabbing
Because of the discomfort and recovery time, many clients choose to schedule treatments at the end of the day or over a weekend. You may not feel ready to return to work or social activities for a few days following treatment, depending on how your skin reacts.
WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE?
Accure® is typically recommended for people with moderate inflammatory acne who haven’t responded to oral or topical medications. It may also appeal to clients who want to avoid long-term use of antibiotics, birth control, or Accutane®.
However, it’s not right for everyone. Because the device uses heat-based energy, clients with darker skin tones may face a higher risk of pigmentation issues or irritation. While Accure® has been tested across skin types, it’s still early in its adoption, and most of the real-world results have come from a small number of clinics.
If you’re considering Accure®, it’s important to have a thorough consultation to assess your skin’s sensitivity, tone, and acne type—and to weigh whether the intensity of treatment is worth the potential benefits.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Accure® is a premium treatment and usually priced accordingly. Most clinics charge between $800 and $1,200 per session, bringing the total cost for four treatments to $3,200 to $4,800 or more.
Insurance typically does not cover laser acne treatments, so this is almost always an out-of-pocket expense. Some providers offer financing or bundle packages to help manage the cost, but it’s a significant investment either way.
HOW LONG DO RESULTS LAST?
Accure® is marketed as a long-term solution, not a quick fix. Because it physically damages oil glands, the goal is to produce lasting changes in the skin’s oil production. That said, results can vary widely depending on skin type, acne severity, and how well the treatment series is tolerated.
Most clients will not see immediate changes after their first treatment. Improvements tend to develop gradually over several months, and full results may take 6 to 9 months to become visible.
Some clients may need maintenance treatments or additional support through skincare products or prescriptions, depending on how their skin responds.
PROS AND CONS OF ACCURE®
POTENTIAL BENEFITS:
FDA-cleared for acne (as of October 2024)
Targets oil production at the source
No daily medication or ongoing maintenance required
Can lead to long-term reduction in breakouts and oiliness
THINGS TO CONSIDER
Treatment is extremely painful without nerve blocks and or topical numbing
Requires multiple long appointments (about two hours each)
Side effects and downtime are common
Results take several months to develop
Still relatively new to the market, with limited long-term data
Not yet widely available—fewer than 30 devices are in use globally
IS THERE AN ALTERNATIVE?
If you’re looking for a laser-based solution that also targets oil glands but offers a more comfortable experience with less downtime, it’s worth exploring AviClear®. It’s FDA-cleared for mild, moderate, and severe acne, requires no numbing, and is well-tolerated across all skin types.
At CLEAR Acne Treatment Centers, we specialize exclusively in AviClear® because we’ve seen the consistent results and positive client experiences it offers. We’ve performed over 1000 treatments and have guided countless clients through the process of getting clear—without the pain or downtime of more aggressive treatments.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Accure® Laser represents an exciting addition to the growing category of laser-based acne treatments. For those who want a long-term solution without relying on daily medications, devices like Accure® offer a new way forward. But Accure® in particular comes with important considerations. The intensity of the procedure, the longer recovery time, and its limited availability mean that clients need to be well-informed before committing to treatment.
If you’re curious about energy-based acne treatments but want something with a gentler approach and a proven track record, AviClear® may be a better fit.
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