The acne choice is clear: choose AviClear!
Are you struggling with persistent acne that won’t go away? Finding effective solutions can be frustrating and time-consuming. Introducing the latest in acne treatment solutions. AviClear is now available at Bellaire Dermatology. From the creators of Cutera, AviClear is the first FDA cleared laser device for the treatment of mild to severe acne. Bellaire Dermatology is thrilled to be the only Dermatology practices within the Greater Houston area with this revolutionary technology.
What Causes Acne?
Acne develops when excess sebum (oil), dead skin cells, and bacteria accumulate inside hair follicles. Sebaceous glands, which produce oil to keep the skin hydrated, become overactive because of hormonal fluctuations, stress, or genetic factors. When too much oil mixes with dead skin cells, it clogs the follicle. Sometimes, this just leads to a blackhead or a whitehead.
With other types of acne, a bacteria called Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) gets trapped inside the pore. This type of bacteria is common on the skin and can even be beneficial. However, it thrives in the oxygen-low and sebum-rich environment of clogged pores. As it breaks down sebum, it releases enzymes that irritate the follicle lining and cause the body to initiate an inflammatory response. This causes more severe and painful forms of acne, such as nodules, pustules, and cysts. When inflammatory acne is left untreated, it often leads to acne scarring and hyperpigmentation. Because excess oil production is the root cause of all of these types of acne, we are excited to offer the first laser treatment to directly impact sebum production, AviClear.
Acne Treatment With AviClear
If you’ve tried different acne treatment options in the hopes of treating, eliminating, and preventing acne but have been left disappointed, we want to introduce you to a treatment called AviClear. This unique skin-perfecting treatment targets the root cause of acne in a way that oral medications and topical solutions cannot. AviClear uses laser energy to selectively target and suppress the sebaceous glands, reducing excess oil production without damaging the skin.
How It Works
AviClear is the first FDA-approved laser treatment that can successfully treat and eliminate mild, moderate, and even more severe types of acne. The laser energy shrinks sebaceous glands during the treatment to treat active acne and prevent future breakouts. It destroys acne-causing bacteria deep within the pores to help patients achieve clear skin in just three quick 30-minute treatments.
What Are the Benefits of AviClear?
The benefits of choosing AviClear to treat and improve acne-prone skin are that it doesn’t use harsh chemicals or require oral medication to improve the skin. Both harsh topical products and oral acne medications can lead to adverse side effects or negatively impact your health. This comfortable treatment process will not negatively impact your health in any way but will just work to clear your skin and improve your confidence in your complexion
Preparing for Avi-Clear
Make sure to avoid using skin irritants for at least three to five days before your session, including products with tretinoin, retinol, benzoyl peroxide, glycolic or salicylic acids, vitamin C, or astringents. Sun exposure, tanning beds, self-tanners, and spray tans should also be avoided for at least four weeks to keep your skin from being too sensitive. If you have a history of cold sores or herpes, we may prescribe an antiviral prescription to reduce the risk of flare-ups. Men should arrive cleanly shaved. Any excess hair in the treatment area may need to be removed before the session.
What To Expect From Your AviClear Treatment
The AviClear treatment process is quick and comfortable since it uses the AviCool built-in technology to ensure patient comfort throughout the treatment process. Once your treatment is over, you won’t have to plan for any downtime. We do recommend that patients prepare for the treatment by staying hydrated and care for their skin afterward by using a gentle cleanser and quality sunscreen for the first seven days post-treatment.
Once you undergo treatment, you can expect to see some immediate improvements in the appearance of your skin as well as gradual improvements in the months following your treatment as your skin responds, heals, and clears.
What to Expect After AviClear
After your AviClear acne treatment, your skin may be slightly red for a day, and some patients experience mild swelling that lasts anywhere from an hour to two days. A broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen should be applied the morning after treatment and worn daily to protect your skin, especially if you’re spending time outdoors. Stick to a gentle skincare routine for the first 7-10 days, washing with a mild cleanser and applying a moisturizer twice daily to prevent dryness or itching. It’s also best to avoid hot tubs, saunas, or intense exercise for the first 24 hours to prevent unnecessary heat exposure and sweating. While many patients see improvements quickly, some may experience post-inflammatory flare-ups about a week after treatment, which can temporarily worsen acne before it begins to clear. If you have any concerns, or if a blister develops, reach out to us for guidance.
How to Prevent Acne Flare-Ups
Small daily habits can make a big difference in keeping breakouts under control. Avoid touching your face throughout the day since your hands carry oil and bacteria that can clog pores. If you wear makeup, choose products that don’t clog pores and are acne-friendly. Wash all of your makeup brushes regularly.
Greasy hair can transfer oil onto your skin, so washing your hair frequently—especially if you use heavy styling products—can help keep your pores clear. Change your pillowcase at least twice a week to prevent oil and bacteria from building up and transferring to your skin while you sleep. Staying hydrated and limiting foods high in sugar and dairy may also help reduce inflammation that can trigger acne.
Acne Scar Treatment
We also offer different treatment options that can make a significant difference in the appearance of acne scars. We can combine these treatments to create a unique treatment plan based on your needs to optimize your results. During your initial consultation, we can review your acne scars in person and determine which treatments, or combination of treatments, will best help you achieve a uniform skin texture.
Morpheus8
Morpheus8 is an effective and powerful microneedling device that combines collagen induction therapy techniques to improve different skin concerns. This device treats and improves the appearance of acne scars by delivering radiofrequency heat energy into the skin’s deeper layers and creating microchannels to improve skin texture.
The device takes a dual approach to collagen production. When used specifically to treat acne scars, it will force the body to grow new collagen to fill the area, increase skin volume, and make the acne scars less noticeable and your skin more uniform.
Fraxel Dual
Fraxel Dual is a unique laser treatment that improves the appearance of different skin concerns, including acne scars, by creating invisible laser columns in the skin to improve the complexion. Patients can expect improvements in the appearance and health of their skin after just one treatment and won’t have to worry about downtime or significant discomfort.
This laser treatment is an effective option for those with acne scars because it can treat surface scarring by creating wounds in the skin that the body responds to with increased collagen production, which treats the hollow areas created by acne scars.
IPL Cutera
We also offer IPL Cutera photofacial treatments that deliver light pulses into the skin to improve different skin concerns. We can use this device to target and improve the appearance of acne scars to help patients achieve improved skin texture.
The device can improve the appearance of acne scars by forcing the body to grow new collagen in the treatment area and can also improve the appearance of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that often affects the complexions of those with acne scars.
MixTo Fractional CO2 Laser
The MixTo Fractional CO2 Laser is a device that resurfaces the skin with a combination of carbon dioxide lasers and fractional technology. The treatment promotes new collagen production in the treatment area and specifically targets damaged skin cells to promote skin renewal and rejuvenation.
MixTo Fractional CO2 Laser treatments can make a significant difference in the appearance of even the most severe acne scars. A series of treatments with several weeks between each can help you live free of acne scars long-term.
Customizing Your Treatment Plan
Our goal is to create a completely customized treatment plan that meets the needs of each individual patient. Some patients may only need to address acne scars; others may only need to address active acne, while others want to address both acne and acne scars. We design each treatment plan based on the patient’s unique needs and ultimate skin care goals.
FAQs About Our Acne Treatments
How Is AviClear Different From Other Acne Treatments?
AviClear directly targets the sebaceous glands to reduce oil production, which is the root cause of acne. Most other acne treatment options rely on controlling bacteria, inflammation, or skin cell turnover, but they don’t address oil production in the same way. AviClear does not involve chemicals, antibiotics, or systemic medications and is a good alternative for patients who haven’t responded well to traditional treatments.
How Many AviClear Treatments Will I Need?
A complete AviClear treatment regimen typically includes three sessions, spaced about four weeks apart. Each session builds on the previous one, helping to progressively reduce breakouts over time. The number of treatments is the same regardless of acne severity, as the laser works to gradually regulate oil production. You may see long-term improvements after completing these three treatments without the need for regular maintenance sessions.
When Will I See the Results?
Results develop gradually and there may be mild post-treatment flare-ups before improvement begins. Most see noticeable changes around 3-4 weeks after the final session, with continued improvement for several months. The long-term benefits can last for a year or longer.
What Types of Acne Can We Treat?
AviClear treats mild, moderate, and severe acne, including inflammatory breakouts, cystic acne, and persistent hormonal acne. It can be effective for patients with stubborn acne that hasn’t responded to other treatments, including those who want to avoid oral medications. Patients with oily skin and frequent breakouts typically see the best results. Individual treatment plans may vary depending on skin type and acne severity.
Am I a Candidate?
If you are currently suffering from acne or have acne scars that you want to treat, you may be a good candidate for one of our acne treatment plans. It’s important that patients not be pregnant or nursing at the time of treatment and commit to the recommended number of sessions to achieve the best results. We will perform a pre-treatment evaluation to confirm that one or more of these options is right for you.
Why Choose Our Clinic for AviClear?
With over 27 years of experience, we provide acne treatment options for each patient’s needs. As the only dermatology practice in Greater Houston offering AviClear, we offer a unique solution for those struggling with persistent breakouts. We take a personalized approach, creating custom treatment plans based on your skin type and concerns. We are located in Bellaire, just minutes from the Galleria and we offer a welcoming and professional environment where your comfort and results come first.
Achieve Clear, Uniform Skin
Acne and acne scars shouldn’t define your skin; we offer treatments that can improve your complexion and confidence in more ways than one. If you’re interested in one or more of these treatment options, we can give you more information about how you can personally benefit from these powerful and effective devices that can target acne and improve the appearance of acne scars long-term.
At Bellaire Dermatology, we provide expert acne treatment solutions to patients in Houston, TX, including Bellaire and Sugarland. Call us at (713) 661-4383 to schedule a consultation and take the next step toward clearer, healthier skin.
