Worried About Laser Treatments on Darker Skin? AviClear® Is Different

Acne doesn’t discriminate—and neither should treatment options. If you have a deeper skin tone, you’ve probably noticed that many traditional acne treatments come with a long list of warnings for darker skin: risk of hyperpigmentation, scarring, or uneven results. Laser treatments in particular have historically been designed with lighter skin tones in mind, often excluding those with more melanin from safe access.

That’s where AviClear® changes the game.

At CLEAR Acne Treatment Centers, we’re proud to offer AviClear® because it’s not just the first FDA-cleared laser treatment to target acne at its root—it’s also safe and effective for all skin types and tones. In this article, we’ll break down how AviClear® works, why it’s different from older lasers, and what clients with darker skin tones can expect in terms of safety, results, and recovery.

UNDERSTANDING THE CHALLENGE: LASERS AND MELANIN

Before we dive into AviClear®, it helps to understand why many laser treatments pose risks for darker skin tones.

Traditional lasers—especially those used for hair removal or skin resurfacing—work by targeting pigment (melanin) or water in the skin. Because darker skin has more melanin throughout its layers, these lasers can sometimes scatter energy in unpredictable ways, leading to:

• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)

• Hypopigmentation (light spots)

• Burns or blisters

• Delayed healing or scarring

This means that unless a laser is specifically designed with safety mechanisms to protect melanin-rich skin, the risks may outweigh the benefits.

SO, WHAT MAKES AVICLEAR® DIFFERENT?

AviClear® isn’t a resurfacing laser or a pigment-seeking laser. It uses a 1726-nanometer wavelength, which is a completely different part of the light spectrum than most aesthetic lasers.

This specific wavelength is selectively absorbed by the sebaceous glands—the oil-producing structures in your skin responsible for fueling acne. The laser energy heats and suppresses these glands without targeting pigment or water in the skin. That’s a critical difference for safety in deeper skin tones.

BUILT-IN COOLING = BUILT-IN SAFETY

AviClear® also features real-time cooling sensors that adjust and protect the skin during treatment. It keeps the outer layers of the skin comfortable and stable, minimizing risk of overheating or irritation—both of which can lead to pigmentation changes in melanin-rich skin.

IS AVICLEAR® SAFE FOR FITZPATRICK SKIN TYPES IV, V, AND VI?

Yes—AviClear® is FDA-cleared for all skin types, including Fitzpatrick types IV (olive) through VI (deep brown and black skin). In clinical trials and in practice, patients with darker skin tones have responded well to the treatment, showing:

• No increase in adverse events compared to lighter skin types

• Consistent clearance of acne, often within the same timeline (9–12 months after the series)

• No post-treatment pigmentation issues

Because AviClear® doesn’t resurface or damage the outer layers of the skin, it’s far less likely to cause pigment changes than chemical peels, lasers like CO2 or erbium, or even some prescription topicals.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING AND AFTER AVICLEAR® ON DARKER SKIN

If you’re considering AviClear® and you have a deeper skin tone, here’s what your experience will likely look like:

THE TREATMENT 

• Each session takes about 30–45 minutes

• You’ll feel a quick zap of heat, followed by cooling—most people describe it as tolerable

• No numbing is required, and there’s no downtime—you can return to normal activities right after

POST-TREATMENT SKIN

Your skin may look slightly flushed or feel warm immediately after, but this fades within an hour or two. Because AviClear® doesn’t damage the surface of the skin, there’s no peeling, no scabbing, and no increased risk of hyperpigmentation—a huge win for darker skin tones.

THE RESULTS

AviClear® is designed to work from the inside out by reducing oil production at the source. You’ll typically start seeing improvement soon after the third treatment, with full results appearing 9–12 months after the third and final session.

Our clients often tell us their breakouts become smaller, less frequent, and less inflamed over time—and for many, they eventually stop altogether.

WHY THIS MATTERS: TREATING ACNE WITHOUT SACRIFICING SKIN TONE

Too often, clients with darker skin feel like they have to choose between treating acne and protecting their natural pigment. Harsh topicals can leave bleached spots, and lasers that aren’t safe for melanin can do real harm.

AviClear® is different. It’s:

• Non-invasive

• Colorblind—doesn’t target melanin

• Safe and predictable across all skin tones

• A long-term solution—not just a band-aid

And perhaps most importantly, it respects your skin. It doesn’t compromise your skin’s integrity to get clear—it helps your skin rebalance itself naturally over time.

REAL TALK: THINGS TO KNOW IF YOU’RE MELANIN-RICH AND CONSIDERING AVICLEAR®

1. YOU MIGHT STILL EXPERIENCE A PURGE.

This isn’t unique to darker skin tones, but it’s worth mentioning. Some clients see a temporary increase in breakouts after their first session as the skin clears out clogged pores. We prepare you for this and send you home with anti-inflammatory tools like Differin® gel and an oral antihistamine to make the purge more manageable.

2. SUNSCREEN IS STILL IMPORTANT.

Even though AviClear® doesn’t resurface or thin your skin, sun protection is always important—especially for preventing post-acne dark marks (PIH). A gentle, non-comedogenic mineral sunscreen can help keep your skin calm and even-toned during and after treatment.

3. AVOID PICKING, SCRUBBING, OR OVER-EXFOLIATING.

This is key for everyone—but especially for melanin-rich skin, which is more prone to pigmentation changes when inflamed or irritated. Our team will coach you on a gentle, effective post-treatment skincare routine to support healing and clarity.

FINAL THOUGHTS: WHY AVICLEAR® MIGHT BE THE ACNE SOLUTION YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR

If you have darker skin and have struggled to find safe, effective acne treatments, we see you. You deserve results without risking pigment damage. AviClear® is finally giving clients with melanin-rich skin the long-term acne solution they’ve been waiting for—without compromise.

At CLEAR Acne Treatment Centers, we’ve performed over 1000 AviClear® treatments and have seen firsthand how well it works across all skin tones. If you’re ready to start your journey toward clearer skin, we’d love to help.

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