The Science Behind 1726nm: How AviClear®’s Wavelength Targets Acne at the Source

If you’ve been exploring long-term, medication-free solutions for acne, you may have come across AviClear®—the first ever FDA-cleared laser that specifically targets acne at the root. But what makes it so different from everything else on the market? The answer lies in the laser’s unique wavelength: 1726 nanometers.

While it may sound like just another number, the 1726nm wavelength is what sets AviClear® apart from all other lasers and light therapies. It’s not a marketing gimmick or a small tweak—it’s a completely novel approach based on how our skin and oil glands interact with specific wavelengths of light.

WHAT IS 1726nm—AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Let’s start with the basics. Wavelengths of light are measured in nanometers (nm), and each wavelength interacts with the skin differently. Some penetrate deeply; others are absorbed quickly by pigment, water, or other structures in the skin.

AviClear® uses a laser set precisely to 1726nm, a wavelength in the infrared spectrum that has a special affinity for sebum—the oily substance produced by your sebaceous glands.

Sebum is at the heart of acne development. When too much is produced, it clogs pores, mixes with dead skin cells, and creates the perfect environment for inflammation and bacteria. Traditional treatments try to manage sebum indirectly—through hormonal regulation, antibiotics, or exfoliating agents. AviClear® is the first to directly and selectively target the sebaceous glands themselves.

HOW LIGHT INTERACTS WITH SKIN: A QUICK PRIMER

To understand why 1726nm works, it helps to know how light behaves in skin.

Different wavelengths of light are absorbed by different chromophores—or “targets”—within the skin. For example:

• 532nm is absorbed by melanin (which makes it riskier for darker skin tones).

• 1064nm penetrates more deeply and is often used for laser hair removal.

• 1450nm targets water in the skin and has been used in older acne lasers.

But 1726nm is unique. It’s strongly absorbed by the lipids found in sebum—specifically triglycerides and free fatty acids. This makes it ideal for treating overactive sebaceous glands while sparing other structures in the skin.

TARGETING SEBACEOUS GLANDS WITH PRECISION

Your sebaceous glands are small oil-producing structures located just below the surface of the skin, most densely concentrated on the face, chest, and upper back. In acne-prone skin, these glands are larger and more active, pumping out excessive amounts of oil that contribute to breakouts.

When the 1726nm laser energy reaches these glands, it’s absorbed by the lipid-rich sebum, generating heat inside the gland. This thermal effect shrinks and suppresses the gland’s activity—essentially “turning down” oil production over time.

But here’s what’s remarkable: the laser only affects the sebaceous glands, leaving surrounding tissues intact. That means:

• No damage to the epidermis

• No downtime or peeling

• No risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

• Safe for all skin tones 

It’s one of the few acne treatments that’s truly selective in its action—meaning you get powerful results without the side effects of systemic medications.

HOW DOES 1726nm COMPARE TO OTHER ACNE LASERS?

Before AviClear®, most acne-targeting lasers used wavelengths that weren’t specifically optimized for sebum. For example:

• 1450nm diode lasers (like Smoothbeam) primarily heat water in the skin and only indirectly impact sebaceous glands. They can also be painful and cause post-treatment redness or swelling.

• IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) uses a broad range of wavelengths and targets pigment and blood vessels more than oil glands. It’s often used for surface-level redness or pigmentation—but it doesn’t offer long-term relief for oily, acne-prone skin.

• Blue light therapy (around 415nm) can kill acne-causing bacteria (P. acnes) but has no effect on sebum production, which is why its results are typically short-lived.

Only AviClear®’s 1726nm wavelength has been shown to directly suppress oil production in a way that leads to lasting clearance.

SAFETY AND SKIN TONE INCLUSIVITY

Another major advantage of the 1726nm wavelength is that it’s not absorbed by melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. That means it’s safe and effective for all skin tones—something many other lasers can’t claim.

Traditional lasers (especially those in the visible light spectrum) carry a higher risk of hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation in darker skin types. But because 1726nm energy doesn’t target melanin, AviClear® avoids those risks entirely. Instead, it passes through the surface of the skin to reach the sebaceous glands, regardless of skin color.

This makes AviClear® one of the most inclusive and equitable technologies in acne care today.

LONG-TERM RESULTS: WHY 1726nm IS A GAME-CHANGER

Clinical studies have shown that a series of three AviClear® treatments spaced about a month apart leads to a significant reduction in acne over time—with results that continue to improve for up to 9–12 months after the final session.

That’s because the laser doesn’t just calm the skin temporarily—it actually changes the behavior of your oil glands. Unlike medications, which you have to keep taking to maintain results, AviClear®’s effects are durable and long-lasting.

And because it works at the biological root of acne (sebum production), it can be effective across all types of acne—from hormonal breakouts to cystic lesions to stubborn adult acne.

THE BOTTOM LINE: WHY THE 1726nm WAVELENGTH MATTERS

The 1726nm wavelength is the heart of AviClear®—and the reason it’s transforming how we treat acne.

By targeting the oil glands with laser precision, it clears breakouts at the source, without medications, without downtime, and without damaging the skin. It’s the culmination of years of research into how light and skin interact, and it opens the door to safe, effective, and lasting relief for people who’ve struggled with acne for years.

READY TO SEE WHAT 1726nm CAN DO FOR YOU?

At CLEAR Acne Treatment Centers, we’ve performed hundreds of AviClear® treatments and seen firsthand how life-changing this technology can be. Whether you’ve tried everything else or are just starting your acne treatment journey, we’re here to help you understand your options and choose what’s right for your skin.

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