Exploring Acne Lasers: How AviClear® Compares to Other Treatments
Laser treatments have transformed how we approach acne. What used to be managed mostly through creams, pills, and peels now includes high-tech options that reach deeper into the skin, often with impressive results. And while AviClear® has been making headlines as the first laser to directly target oil production, it’s not the only laser out there being used to treat acne.
So, what are the other options? How do they work—and how are they different from AviClear®?
In this post, we’ll walk you through the most commonly used laser and light therapies for acne (excluding AviClear® and Accure®). We’ll explain what each one does, how it helps with acne-prone skin, and where it fits into the broader treatment landscape. Whether you’re dealing with active breakouts, stubborn redness, or scarring left behind, this guide will help you better understand how lasers can support your skin goals—and where they fall short compared to AviClear®.
HOW LASERS HELP WITH ACNE—BUT DON’T ALL WORK THE SAME WAY
Lasers and light-based devices can improve acne in several ways: by killing acne-causing bacteria, calming inflammation, heating up and suppressing overactive skin functions, or triggering collagen production to help repair damaged tissue.
But it’s important to understand that most of these lasers don’t treat the root of acne. They don’t prevent oil production, unclog pores, or shrink sebaceous glands. Instead, they offer more of a supportive role—temporarily improving the look and behavior of acne-prone skin, often as part of a broader skincare plan.
That’s what sets AviClear® apart: it’s the first laser of its kind that directly targets and shrinks the oil glands themselves. Every other device works indirectly, often requiring ongoing sessions to maintain results.
PULSED DYE LASER (PDL): FOR RED, INFLAMED SKIN
Pulsed Dye Lasers—like the popular Vbeam—are most often used to reduce redness and swelling, both during active breakouts and in the post-acne healing phase. These lasers emit a wavelength that is absorbed by hemoglobin, the molecule that gives blood its color. When this light hits dilated blood vessels around an inflamed pimple, it generates heat that causes the vessel to collapse.
This helps calm the skin by reducing blood flow to inflamed areas, which in turn lessens the intensity and duration of redness and swelling. For people who experience angry, red breakouts or have lingering red marks after acne heals, PDL can be a helpful tool.
That said, this type of laser doesn’t treat acne itself—it doesn’t kill bacteria, reduce oil, or prevent future breakouts. It’s best thought of as a supportive therapy for inflammation control and skin tone improvement.
Nd:YAG LASERS: HEATING THE SKIN FROM WITHIN
Nd:YAG lasers, such as Cutera® Genesis or Candela GentleYAG, operate at a 1064 nm wavelength that can penetrate deeper layers of the skin without damaging the surface. These lasers create controlled heat in the dermis, which may temporarily mildly suppress oil gland activity and create an inhospitable environment for Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes), the bacteria involved in acne formation.
They also stimulate low-level collagen production over time, which can be helpful for softening early scarring or textural changes. Because the laser’s energy passes safely through melanin, Nd:YAG lasers are generally considered safe for a wide range of skin tones, including deeper complexions.
However, while this type of treatment can modestly reduce acne symptoms over time, it doesn’t directly address the underlying causes. Oil glands remain intact and active, and results often fade without repeated sessions. For that reason, Nd:YAG is sometimes used alongside topical treatments or oral medications to round out a more comprehensive plan.
ABLATIVE LASERS: RESURFACING FOR SCARRING AND TEXTURE
Once breakouts have subsided, many people are left dealing with reminders—like pitted scars, enlarged pores, and uneven texture. This is where ablative lasers come in. CO₂ lasers and Er:YAG lasers are both powerful resurfacing tools that remove tiny columns of skin in a fractionated pattern. This controlled wounding process stimulates new collagen formation as the skin repairs itself, gradually smoothing and refining the surface.
CO₂ lasers penetrate more deeply and are more aggressive, making them a better fit for severe or deep scarring. Er:YAG lasers offer a gentler option, often with shorter downtime and less risk of pigmentation changes in sensitive skin types.
These lasers are not used to treat active acne. In fact, using them during a breakout can increase irritation and prolong healing. But for clients whose acne is under control, ablative resurfacing can dramatically improve the appearance of scars and leave skin looking firmer, clearer, and more even-toned.
NON-ABLATIVE FRACTIONAL LASERS: SUBTLE, NO-DOWNTIME IMPROVEMENT
Non-ablative fractional lasers—such as Fraxel Dual or Clear + Brilliant—target water in the skin and deliver heat to the dermis without damaging the surface. This controlled thermal injury triggers a repair process that encourages collagen production and skin cell turnover. Over time, this can help fade dark spots, soften shallow scars, and improve overall skin texture.
Because they leave the top layer of skin intact, these treatments involve minimal downtime. Most people experience a few days of redness or dryness, but are able to return to daily activities quickly.
These lasers aren’t designed to treat active acne, but they can be a good option for people whose skin is healing and who want to reduce visible signs of past breakouts.
BLUE LIGHT THERAPY AND PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY (PDT): ATTACKING BACTERIA
Blue light therapy uses specific wavelengths of visible light to target C. acnes bacteria on the surface of the skin. When the bacteria absorb this light, it causes a chemical reaction that destroys their cell walls—essentially killing them without the use of antibiotics.
This approach is most helpful for mild to moderate acne and may be especially appealing to people who want to avoid medications. However, blue light alone doesn’t reduce oil production or prevent future breakouts. Its effects tend to be short-lived unless treatments are repeated regularly.
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) builds on this concept by adding a topical solution—often aminolevulinic acid (ALA) or Levulan—that makes the skin more sensitive to light. Once activated with blue or red light, the solution damages oil glands, reduces bacterial load, and accelerates shedding of dead skin cells. While more aggressive than blue light alone, PDT comes with several days of redness, flaking, and sun sensitivity—and is typically used in more stubborn or treatment-resistant cases.
WHERE THESE LASERS FALL SHORT
Each of these technologies can play a role in managing acne or repairing the skin after breakouts. But none of them—not even PDT or Nd:YAG—are designed to selectively target and shrink sebaceous glands. That’s the critical difference.
Most acne starts with excess oil production. When oil mixes with dead skin cells and becomes trapped in the pores, it creates the perfect environment for bacteria and inflammation. If the oil keeps coming, so do the breakouts. That’s why suppressing oil production at the source is so important for lasting results—and it’s something only lasers like AviClear® are cleared to do.
WHY CLEAR SPECIALIZES IN AVICLEAR®
AviClear® is the first ever laser that directly and safely shrinks the sebaceous glands responsible for acne. It uses a unique 1726 nm wavelength—specifically chosen for how it’s absorbed by oil in the sebaceous glands—to gradually reduce sebum output. Over time, this leads to fewer clogged pores, fewer breakouts, and skin that actually stays clear.
Unlike other lasers, AviClear® is a permanent solution for many people. After just three sessions, most clients see a dramatic reduction in oil production and ongoing improvement over the following 9 to 12 months. And because the treatment doesn’t damage the skin’s surface, there’s no downtime—just clearer skin without the hassle of daily pills, creams, or repeated procedures.
At CLEAR Acne Treatment Centers, we’ve performed over 1000 AviClear® treatments and have seen firsthand how life-changing it can be for people who have struggled for years with persistent acne.
LET’S FIND THE RIGHT TREATMENT FOR YOU
While other lasers can support the skin in healing, soothing inflammation, or improving scars, only lasers like AviClear® go straight to the source: the oil glands. If you’re ready for a longer-lasting, lower-maintenance solution, it might be time to give your skin something different.
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