Quick Answer: The newest laser treatment for acne is AviClear – the first FDA-cleared laser designed specifically to treat acne at its source. Rather than managing breakouts from the surface, AviClear uses a precise 1726 nm wavelength to target and suppress the sebaceous (oil) glands that drive acne, offering a drug-free alternative to medications such as isotretinoin. At Montrose London in Belgravia, AviClear is delivered following a full assessment with a Consultant Dermatologist, is suitable for all skin types and tones, and requires no downtime. A standard course is three sessions, from £1,500 per session.
Why Are People Searching for a New Acne Laser?
If you have lived with persistent acne, you already know the pattern: topical creams, courses of antibiotics, hormonal treatments, and – for the most stubborn cases – isotretinoin. These work for many people. But they do not work for everyone, and some carry side effects that make patients understandably cautious. Dry skin, sun sensitivity, mood monitoring, blood tests, and strict pregnancy precautions are all part of the isotretinoin conversation.
So the search for something different is not surprising. What people are really asking when they type “new laser treatment for acne” is a simple question: is there a way to control acne at its source, without taking a drug?
The answer, for the first time, is yes. AviClear is the treatment behind that search.
What Is AviClear?
AviClear is an advanced, FDA-cleared laser treatment for acne. It uses a specialised 1726 nm laser wavelength – a specific band of laser energy that is absorbed by the sebaceous glands beneath the skin’s surface. By selectively heating and suppressing these glands, AviClear reduces the amount of oil (sebum) the skin produces, which is the underlying driver of most acne.
It is the first FDA-cleared laser designed specifically to target the sebaceous glands to reduce breakouts at their source, rather than treating the visible symptoms after they appear.
Two things make that significant:
It is drug-free. AviClear works through laser energy alone. There is no medication, no prescription, and none of the systemic side effects associated with oral acne drugs.
It treats the cause, not just the surface. Most conventional treatments address acne once it has already formed – clearing bacteria, reducing inflammation, or unblocking pores. AviClear works further upstream, at the oil gland itself.
How Does AviClear Work?
Acne begins with the sebaceous glands. When these glands become overactive, they produce excess sebum – the oily substance that lubricates skin. That excess oil can clog pores, trap bacteria, and trigger the inflammation that becomes a breakout.
AviClear interrupts this cycle at the start. The 1726 nm laser is drawn specifically to the sebaceous glands, where its energy suppresses their activity and reduces oil production. Less oil means fewer clogged pores, less inflammation, and over time, fewer breakouts.
Crucially, because the laser targets oil glands rather than pigment in the skin, it is safe and effective for all skin types and tones, including darker skin, without the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that some other lasers carry.
Integrated cooling technology (AviCool™) protects the skin’s surface and keeps the treatment comfortable throughout.
What Does AviClear Treat?
AviClear is suitable for mild to severe acne, and is particularly valuable for cases that have proved difficult to manage. That includes:
- Inflammatory acne – the red, raised, sometimes painful breakouts driven by excess oil and bacteria
- Hormonal acne – breakouts linked to hormonal fluctuations, often along the jaw and chin
- Treatment-resistant acne – acne that has not responded well to topical or oral therapies
- Acne in patients who want to avoid medication – including those unable or unwilling to take isotretinoin
Because it targets oil production directly, AviClear is especially well suited to patients with oily skin types, who tend to be more prone to breakouts.
AviClear vs Isotretinoin: How Do They Compare?
For years, isotretinoin has been the most powerful option for severe acne and it often remains the most effective choice. But it is a systemic medication, which means it affects the whole body, not just the skin.
Isotretinoin is associated with dry skin, lips and eyes, increased sun sensitivity, and potential effects on mood and liver function that require regular monitoring. It also carries serious risks in pregnancy, meaning strict contraceptive precautions are required throughout treatment.
AviClear offers a different route. As a drug-free, non-invasive laser, it targets acne at its source without any systemic exposure – no bloodwork, no pregnancy precautions, and in most cases no daily medication. Beyond mild discomfort during the treatment itself, its side effects are typically limited to mild redness or warmth that settles within a few hours, with a small and rare risk of blistering.
Neither is automatically “better.” They suit different patients. That is exactly why a proper assessment matters, which is where a Montrose London Consultant Dermatologist comes in.
Why Is AviClear a Good Option for Athletes?
For professional and competitive sportspeople, conventional acne medications can be particularly problematic, which makes a drug-free option especially valuable. Oral isotretinoin can cause muscle and joint aches, fatigue and dryness that sit poorly with elite training loads. Spironolactone, often used for hormonal acne, presents a different issue: it is a diuretic on the WADA prohibited list, banned in competitive sport as a potential masking agent.
AviClear avoids these issues entirely. As a drug-free laser that targets the sebaceous glands at the root of acne, typically delivered in three short sessions with no downtime, there is nothing to declare for anti-doping purposes. For athletes who want lasting results without compromising performance or compliance, it is one of the most practical options available, subject to a consultation with a Dermatologist.
How Montrose London Approaches AviClear
Acne is a medical condition, not just a cosmetic concern, and it deserves a medical assessment. At Montrose London, AviClear begins with a consultation led by one of our Consultant Dermatologists, who assesses your acne type, its severity, your skin type, and your goals before recommending a plan.
A tailored assessment first
A Consultant Dermatologist will determine whether AviClear is right for you, or whether a combination approach – alongside topical, hormonal, or other therapies – would serve you better. AviClear is one tool among several, and the right plan depends on your skin.
A considered treatment course
A standard course of AviClear is three sessions, each around 30 minutes, spaced approximately four to six weeks apart. At Montrose, we allow 45 minutes per session to ensure you are comfortable and unhurried.
Combining treatments where it helps
Once acne is under control, AviClear can be paired with complementary energy-based treatments – such as laser genesis, vascular laser, or pigmentation laser – to address any residual redness, pigmentation, or scarring and refine overall skin clarity.
What Happens During an AviClear Session?
AviClear is a walk-in, walk-out treatment with no downtime.
Before your session, you will receive tailored guidance, which may include pausing active skincare ingredients such as retinoids and taking care with sun exposure. Your skin is cleansed and prepared on arrival, and photographs may be taken to track your progress.
During your session, controlled laser energy is delivered across the treatment area. Most patients describe the sensation as a mild to moderate warm snapping feeling – often compared to being flicked with an elastic band – and the integrated AviCool™ cooling keeps it comfortable without the need for numbing cream. Your skin is cleansed with water throughout.
Afterwards, there is no downtime. Your skin may look slightly flushed, but this usually settles the same day and you can return to normal activities immediately.
What Results Can You Expect?
AviClear is a long-term solution rather than a quick fix, and results build gradually. Most patients notice a reduction in breakouts and oiliness within a few weeks of their first session, with clearer improvement after the third treatment and continued progress over the following months.
The clinical studies behind AviClear report strong outcomes: 80% of patients had at least half of their acne resolved three months after their final treatment, rising to 92% at 12 months. After a course of three treatments, studies report a 96% reduction in inflammatory lesion count at one year, with some reporting a 97% reduction at 12 to 24 months.
Because AviClear works by suppressing oil gland activity, its results are durable. Acne is a chronic condition influenced by hormones, lifestyle and genetics, so it is not considered a permanent cure – but many patients experience significant, sustained improvement, and maintenance sessions can help preserve results over time.
Ready to treat acne at its source?
If you are living with persistent or treatment-resistant acne, AviClear offers a drug-free way to address it at the root. Every treatment at Montrose London begins with a full assessment by a Consultant Dermatologist, so you will know exactly whether AviClear is right for your skin before you begin.
New to Montrose? Book your consultation here or call the clinic on 020 7112 8298. Already a Montrose patient? Book through the existing patient portal, or call the clinic on 020 7112 8298.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AviClear suitable for all skin types?
Yes. Because AviClear targets the sebaceous glands rather than pigment in the skin, it is safe and effective across all skin types and tones, including darker skin, without the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that can occur with some other lasers.
Is AviClear painful?
Most patients describe a moderate warm snapping sensation, similar to a flick from an elastic band. The integrated AviCool™ cooling keeps the treatment comfortable.
How many sessions will I need?
A standard course is three sessions, each around 30 minutes, spaced roughly four to six weeks apart. Most patients require three sessions for optimal results, further treatment may be required following the completion of a course to deal with acne flare ups.
Can AviClear replace my acne medication?
Many patients are able to reduce or avoid long-term acne medication, but this is decided individually. AviClear offers a drug-free alternative to topical, hormonal and oral treatments, though some patients may still benefit from adjunctive or maintenance therapies. Your Consultant Dermatologist will advise.
Will I break out during treatment?
Some patients experience a short-term flare, or “purge,” in the early stages as the glands respond and trapped oil and bacteria surface. This is usually temporary and a sign the treatment is working. Your practitioner can suggest supportive skincare to help manage it.
Are the results permanent?
AviClear provides long-term control by reducing oil gland activity, with studies showing sustained improvement for up to 12 to 24 months. However, because acne is a chronic condition, it is not considered a permanent cure, and maintenance sessions may be recommended.
Is AviClear safe for teenagers?
Yes. As a drug-free treatment that targets oil glands rather than skin pigment, AviClear carries minimal risk and avoids the systemic side effects of oral medications. At Montrose London, teenagers are treated under the supervision of experienced Consultant Dermatologists, with parental consent and involvement part of the process.
What are the side effects?
AviClear is generally well tolerated. Some patients notice mild redness or warmth that settles within a few hours, and occasionally a temporary purge as the skin adjusts. Unlike many traditional treatments, it does not cause dry skin or systemic side effects. Blistering is possible but rare.
Can professional sportspeople get AviClear treatments?
AviClear is especially well suited to professional sportspeople, for whom conventional acne medications can be problematic. Oral isotretinoin causes muscle and joint aches, fatigue and dryness that sit poorly with elite training loads, while spironolactone, often used for hormonal acne, is a diuretic on the WADA prohibited list, banned in competitive sport as a potential masking agent. AviClear avoids these issues entirely: it is a drug-free laser treatment that targets the sebaceous glands at the root of acne, typically delivered in three short sessions with no downtime and nothing to declare for anti-doping purposes. For athletes wanting lasting results without compromising performance or compliance, it is one of the most practical options available, subject to a consultation with a Dermatologist.
How much does AviClear cost at Montrose London?
AviClear is from £1,500 per session, with a standard course of three sessions. Your exact plan is confirmed at consultation with a Consultant Dermatologist.
Montrose London is a CQC-registered, Consultant-led clinic at 19 West Eaton Place, Belgravia, London SW1X 8LT. AviClear is an FDA-cleared laser acne treatment, delivered following assessment with a Consultant Dermatologist and suitable for all skin types and tones. A standard course is three sessions, from £1,500 per session, with no downtime. Book at montroselondon.com or call 020 7112 8298.
