For patients who have tried topical creams, antibiotics, and the pill and are still breaking out, AviClear is a drug-free laser that targets the root cause of acne.

So how does AviClear work? Here, we will cover how the AviClear laser treatment works for acne, what results to expect, and what separates it from other acne treatments.

At Thames Skin Clinic, we are a CQC-registered clinic in Twickenham, London, specialising in acne treatments. Led by, we were one of the first five clinics outside the United States to introduce AviClear and the first to offer it in south-west London.

Dr Hemming also holds a Cutera Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her outcomes in acne and rosacea treatment.

Dr Anna Hemming is known for her exceptional AviClear laser technique and Thames Skin Clinic is recognised for achieving some of the best acne results in the UK.

With hundreds of successful treatments and award-winning outcomes, our Twickenham clinic is a leading destination for patients seeking AviClear for mild, moderate and severe acne.

What is AviClear: A Quick Overview

AviClear is an FDA-approved laser treatment used to treat. It was developed by Cutera Inc in the United States and works by using a very specific laser wavelength to selectively target and suppress the sebaceous glands. These oil-producing glands are responsible for acne breakouts.

It’s also a drug and chemical-free laser treatment and requires no blood tests. AviClear acne treatment can be used on all skin types from teenagers right through to adult patients.

AviClear can help achieve clearer, calmer skin with just three treatments. Results develop gradually over time, with many patients seeing around 90% at 9 to 12 months after their final treatment. These results can continue to improve and may last for up to two years.

is a 1726 nm diode laser that targets the skin’s oil glands without harming the skin around them.

This wavelength of laser is highly absorbed by sebum in the sebaceous glands. The laser energy is drawn to the oil inside the gland rather than to the water or pigment (melanin) in the nearby skin. Because the AviClear laser does not target melanin, it is safe for all skin tones, including Fitzpatrick skin types I through VI.

Before we can explain exactly how the AviClear laser works, you need to understand some of the and the role the sebaceous glands play.

Sebaceous glands are microscopic oil glands in the skin. They produce an oily substance called sebum, which lubricates the skin and hair to prevent them drying out. This is a normal, necessary function. The problem arises when the glands become overactive.

all play a role, but ultimately, it’s the overactive oil gland that’s the root cause.

Excess oil mixes with dead skin cells and blocks the hair follicle, which contributes to blocked pores and acne development, such as:

Bacteria can also grow inside the follicle; the immune system responds with inflammation, leading to:

As we mentioned before, the AviClear laser suppresses the overactivity in this gland. Let’s take a deeper look at how Aviclear actually works.

AviClear works by delivering 1726nm laser energy directly into the sebaceous glands, suppressing their activity and reducing the excess oil production that drives acne breakouts.

The 1726 nm energy is absorbed by the sebum and converted into heat inside the gland. This heat suppresses the gland’s activity over time, reducing oil production at its root. As the glands become less active, the skin improves in several ways:

Importantly, the 1726nm wavelength delivers roughly twice as much energy into sebum as it does into water. This means the laser reaches the oil gland without ablating or damaging the skin’s surface, which means the epidermis stays intact.

We use the AviClear laser in a simple course of three treatments, one month apart. The handpiece incorporates the contact cooling system, which keeps the skin surface comfortable throughout the treatment and removes the need for numbing cream.

For moderate to severe acne, AviClear is often used alongside medical-grade topical skincare as part of a broader acne treatment programme at Thames Skin Clinic.

AviClear is suitable for a wide range of patients who suffer from mild, moderate and severe acne. It is safe for all skin types, including teenagers and adults of any skin tone.

The ideal candidates for AviClear are adult women with, as well as teenagers experiencing acne flare-ups, particularly those with moderate to severe acne who want to avoid oral retinoids such as Accutane and their associated side effects.

AviClear is an excellent option for many people with acne. It can be used for mild, moderate and severe acne.

AviClear is particularly suitable for people who:

The people who tend to benefit the most from AviClear are adult men and women with hormonal acne, as well as teenagers experiencing acne flare-ups. If you want to avoid oral medication such as Accutane and their associated side effects, AviClear is an effective alternative.

Ultimately, AviClear gives patients another acne treatment option so they can weigh up the benefits and decide what works best for them. At Thames Skin Clinic, Dr Anna Hemming consults individually with every patient, where she can assess your acne type and discuss which treatment options are suitable for you.

One interesting aspect of AviClear is that results continue to improve over time. AviClear show that 90% of patients saw visible improvement in their acne at 6 months. This improvement increases to 92% at the 12-month mark. We also now have encouraging two-year data showing that acne reduction continues to improve over time, even after treatments have been completed.

Looking specifically at nodule counts, six months after AviClear treatment there was a 93% reduction in patients with moderate and severe acne, making it a compelling option for patients with more severe acne.

The results are also incredibly rewarding for patients emotionally as well as physically. One of the things we often underestimate about acne is the impact it can have on mental wellbeing. It’s not just about improving the skin’s appearance. It’s about helping people feel better about themselves. As acne improves, confidence often improves too.

AviClear is also the only FDA-approved laser device that treats acne.

Several features make AviClear a unique and effective treatment for acne:

The AviClear laser represents one of the most exciting developments in acne treatment in recent years, offering patients a new option that directly targets one of acne’s primary causes.

Roaccutane (oral isotretinoin) is often considered the most powerful oral acne treatment. It can achieve approximately 89% acne reduction after around eight months of treatment. AviClear achieves a 93% reduction in nodule count in patients with moderate and severe acne at the six-month mark – without blood tests or oral medication.

Oral antibiotics can temporarily reduce acne-causing bacteria but do not address the oil gland. Results are often short-lived, and antibiotic resistance is an increasing concern. AviClear targets the underlying cause and delivers results that continue to improve after treatment ends.

can help with surface congestion, mild acne and pigmentation. They work on the skin’s surface and upper layers rather than reaching the sebaceous gland, which means they address different mechanisms. At Thames Skin Clinic, peels are often used alongside AviClear to manage skin texture and pigmentation while the laser targets oil production.

Topical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide address surface bacteria and cell turnover but do not suppress the oil gland. For moderate to severe acne, topicals alone are rarely sufficient for long-term acne clearance. They can, however, be a useful complement to AviClear during and after the treatment course, and Dr Anna Hemming will advise on the most appropriate combination for each patient’s skin.

The main advantage of AviClear is that it addresses the root cause of acne rather than managing the symptoms. It is the only FDA-approved laser device developed specifically for acne and the only one that targets sebaceous glands at the chromophore level.

Why Choose Thames Skin Clinic for AviClear?

, based in Twickenham, was one of the first clinics to offer AviClear in southwest London.

Our skin clinic is led by award winning Cutera key opinion leader . She is a fully qualified medical doctor who has been practising since 2002. Her clinical background spans the NHS, the British Army and seven years as a GP at Buckingham Palace. She specialises in acne and rosacea treatments and has lived experience of skin conditions herself, having dealt with rosacea throughout her life.

Her achievements in medical aesthetics include:

Dr Anna is also an internationally recognised speaker and key opinion leader for Cutera and ZO Skin Health, whose medical-grade products form a core part of our clinic’s acne programmes. All of our patients begin with a detailed consultation to assess acne severity using the IGA scoring system, identify underlying causes and build a personalised treatment plan.

As a CQC-registered clinic, our team has completed extensive AviClear training and has seen first-hand the transformative results this treatment can achieve. We offer, with patients travelling from across the UK to benefit from Dr Hemming’s expertise and this award-winning treatment.

with Dr Anna Hemming, and we can discuss your acne history and build a personalised treatment plan.

You can read and find out more about.

Your AviClear journey at Thames Skin Clinic will begin as all our treatments do, with an in-depth and completely bespoke consultation where we will discuss your unique needs, ease any of your concerns, and agree on the best course of action. 3 treatments over 3 months (1 treatment a month) is the golden rule, and after this time patients tend to notice a generous improvement in breakout frequency, texture and inflammation over the following months.

Each session lasts just 30 minutes, after which you may experience redness and a little soreness, but this should subside soon afterward, and there should be no disruption to your usual routine.

FAQs

AviClear results last for at least two years based on current published clinical data. Two-year follow-up results show not only that the improvement is maintained but also that outcomes are slightly better than those seen with traditional oral treatments at the eight-month mark.

In clinical trials, more than 90% of patients reported long-lasting results. Future breakouts, where they do occur, are typically shorter in duration, less severe and less frequent than before treatment.

While AviClear significantly eliminates acne, it’s essential to understand that results may vary depending on the patient’s skin type and number of sessions. Clinical trials have demonstrated a marked reduction in acne lesion counts after treatment, with long-lasting improvements observed up to two years post-treatment.

AviClear is not usually painful. Most patients describe it as a mild warmth, tingling or prickling sensation during treatment.

No numbing cream is required, and no pain relief is needed before or after the session. The AviCool sapphire cooling system built into the handpiece keeps the skin comfortable throughout by continuously cooling the treatment area as the laser energy is delivered.

AviClear has very few side effects compared to traditional acne treatments, and none of the serious systemic risks associated with oral medications.

The most common temporary effects include:

The standard course of AviClear is three sessions spaced one month apart, each lasting around 30 minutes. Some patients with more severe acne may benefit from a fourth session. This will be discussed at your initial consultation.

Yes. The AviClear laser is safe for all skin types, including Fitzpatrick skin types I through VI. Because it targets sebum rather than melanin, it does not carry the pigmentation risks that affect many other laser systems when used on darker skin.

Yes, and at Thames Skin Clinic it often is. During the AviClear course, medical-grade topical skincare, and LED light therapy can all be used alongside the laser to support the skin. can help with surface congestion and during or after the course.

Once active breakouts are under control, treatments for acne scarring such as Laser Genesis, Excel V+ and Secret RF can be introduced. Your treatment plan is designed specifically for your skin at your consultation and evolves as your skin responds.

No. AviClear is a private treatment not currently available on the NHS. Thames Skin Clinic is a and is one of the leading AviClear providers in the UK.

As a precaution, AviClear is not currently recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. For patients planning a pregnancy, thinking about stopping hormonal contraception or who are postpartum, this is absolutely something to discuss at your consultation. Dr Anna Hemming will advise based on your specific circumstances.

Thames Skin Clinic is a CQC‑registered medical clinic in Twickenham, south‑west London, and one of the first clinics in the area to offer AviClear. We are one of the first five clinics outside the United States to introduce AviClear and the first in south‑west London.

Patients travel from across the UK to see Dr Anna Hemming for AviClear. If you’re searching for “AviClear in London” or “AviClear Twickenham”, with hundreds of award winning treatments with the use of Aviclear, you can

Monday – 09:30-16:30
Tuesday – 09:00-17:30
Wednesday – 09:00-19:30
Thursday – 09:30-17.30
Friday – 09:00-17:30
Saturday – 09:00-16:30 by appointment

Thames Skin Clinic
Baylis Mews,
Twickenham TW1 3HQ

Telephone
Email

Make an enquiry

Please consent to providing your above data to us in accordance with our .

ID: 165393

Reviews

Leave Review

There are no reviews yet.

Be the first to review “what-is-aviclear-a-complete-guide” Cancel reply

Damon Hindman

Member Since : 2026

Offline Now

Via Valpantena 14

3533276XXX

Click to reveal phone number

3533276XXX

Click to reveal whatsapp number