Acne affects thousands of people around the globe, impacting their quality of life and self-esteem. Thanks to the latest advances in dermatology, it is quite possible to treat even the most persistent acne.
If you have been searching for an effective acne treatment, you must have come across two very popular options: AviClear and Accutane.
AviClear is the latest laser-based therapy, while Accutane is a prescription medication used to treat acne for quite some time now. Both treatments are effective, but they work with totally different mechanisms to clear your skin.
Now, the question is, which one of them is the better option?
Well, that’s precisely what we are going to find out in this article. We will talk about how these treatments work, their side effects, and which option works best for specific types of acne.
So, stay with us as we uncover the most effective solution for acne, aiming to guide you toward making well-informed and beneficial skincare decisions.
AviClear vs Accutane, what are the key differences?
Both treatments are very popular in treating acne. However, they differ markedly in their approach to targeting acne and clearing your skin.
Here is a list of differences between these two treatments:
Different approaches to reduced oil production
The biggest difference between AviClear and Accutane is the mechanism of their action. While AviClear is a laser-based treatment, Accutane is a prescription oral medication called Isotretinoin that you take orally.
The AviClear laser targets your sebaceous glands directly and affects their ability to produce an oily secretion called sebum. Less oil production reduces acne and infection.
On the other hand, Accutane changes the physiology of your sebaceous (oil-producing) glands and reduces sebum production and bacterial infestation in the skin pores.
Adverse effect incidence and severity
Another significant difference between these two treatments is their side-effect profile. AviClear, a topical treatment, has fewer side effects than its systemic counterpart, Accutane.
When you undergo AviClear treatment, you might have to deal with minor side effects such as temporary redness and mild irritation.
Accutane (Isotretinoin), on the contrary, is known for more severe side effects. Some of the most common ones include:
- Dry skin and lips
- Changes in mood
- Mental health issues
- Potential birth defects if taken during pregnancy.
The course and length of treatment to see the results
If you are looking for faster results, then AviClear is a clear winner. You will need to sit for a few sessions that last about 30 minutes each for a few months. The best part is that you can continue your day after the treatment.
You will have to wait substantially longer to see results with Accutane, though. Most people must take the medication for several months before they see improvement. Your skincare specialist might even need you to do regular blood tests to monitor adverse reactions.
Effectiveness in different types of acne
The choice of treatment also depends on what type of acne you have. For instance, if you have severe cystic acne, Accutane might be a better option. The effectiveness of Isotretinoin is backed by several studies as well.
AviClear is a relatively newer treatment, but its long-term effectiveness is still being investigated. That said, it has shown promise in treating different types of acne, including severe cases.
Need for monitoring and visits to your skincare specialist
Due to the potentially severe adverse effects of Accutane, you will need strict monitoring while you are on the medication. It is especially true in case you are a woman of childbearing age due to the teratogenic (birth defect-causing) effects of Isotretinoin.
AviClear is a non-systemic, topical treatment and won’t require frequent appointments with your dermatologist for constant monitoring.
Overview of AviClear
If you are searching for a non-pharmaceutical, relatively safer acne cure, then you should consider AviClear. It is the first and only FDA-approved laser treatment specially designed to treat acne.
Although the treatment is relatively new, it has shown promise in treating different types of acne, including the dreaded cystic acne.
As the treatment is topical and does not involve taking any medication internally, it is an ideal option for people prone to adverse drug reactions.
How AviClear works in the treatment of acne
The AviClear treatment uses a laser with a 1726 nm wavelength that penetrates the skin and targets the oil-producing glands of the skin called the sebaceous or oil glands.
When your sebaceous glands are irradiated with this laser, they stop producing excess sebum, the root cause of acne.
The best part is that while the laser alters the function of the glands, it causes no harm to the surrounding skin tissue.
Another great thing about AviClear is that it effectively treats acne, whether you are a teenager or an older adult.
Benefits of AviClear
Compared to traditional, systemic approaches to treating acne, AviClear presents several advantages.
Here are a few noteworthy advantages of this treatment that you should keep in mind:
- Non-pharmaceutical alternative to Accutane for acne treatment.
- Compared with other systemic acne treatments (antibiotics and Isotretinoin), AviClear poses little to no adverse effects.
- It works well on various skin types, like oily and dry skin
- Once done with the session, you can immediately return to doing what you do on a normal day.
- It ensures little damage to your skin because you only target the sebaceous glands.
- The systemic side effects of AviClear are not available.
Limitations of AviClear
AviClear indeed provides many advantages, but the procedure has some drawbacks.
- While this treatment has demonstrated great potential, what works for one patient may not work for another.
- AviClear, being a new and sophisticated technology, makes it more costly than the traditional treatment.
- Although laser treatments could affect the reduction in sebaceous gland secretion, it does not affect other major reasons behind this skin condition, like hormone imbalances.
Make sure to consider both the pros and cons of this treatment before you decide on undergoing the sessions.
At Highline Aesthetics, we are committed to providing you with the best AviClear treatment procedure at affordable rates. Schedule an appointment with us today to find out if AviClear is right for you.
Overview of Accutane
Isotretinoin, the active compound present in Accutane, has been used to treat severe acne for a long time. It is especially effective if you have cystic acne that doesn’t respond to other treatments, including antibiotics.
Accutane effectively decreases the size of glands, reducing sebum production and addressing one of the root causes of acne. As your sebum production decreases, you experience less frequent breakouts.
How Accutane works in the treatment of acne
Accutane mounts a two-way attack to reduce acne breakouts. Firstly, the medication dramatically reduces the size of the sebaceous glands. As you can imagine, smaller glands mean less oil production and fewer breakouts.
Secondly, Isotretinoin creates a hostile environment for skin Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes) that causes breakouts.
Isotretinoin is also known to exert an anti-inflammatory effect, which helps in reducing those painful red lesions.
Benefits of Accutane
Accutane has many benefits with diverse mechanisms of action, making it a popular acne treatment.
Here are a few points worth mentioning:
- Works particularly well with severe acne or cystic acne.
- Provides chronic resolution of acne for years ahead.
- Significantly prevents oil overproduction in the skin.
- Accutane is more than just an acne medication; it helps improve your skin’s general texture.
- Reduces inflammation and the subsequent swelling and redness of the lesions.
- It helps prevent scarring by controlling severe acne.
Limitations of Accutane
The drug does come with its fair share of side effects. Here are a few that you should keep in mind:
- Some of these side effects include excessive skin and lip dryness as well as hyperlipidemia or excessive circulating lipids in the blood.
- Expecting mothers should avoid the treatment as it can cause teratogenic effects.
- You will need to be monitored constantly because of the possible side effects.
- If your acne is mild to moderate, then Accutane may not be as efficient.
- Accutane has also been linked to depression and other mood disorders.
When considering Accutane treatment, it is imperative that you carefully consider both the positive and negative aspects of the treatment.
AviClear vs Accutane: which is the best solution for acne treatments?
When comparing these two very popular treatments, you must understand that the “best” solution varies depending on your circumstances.
The severity of acne, your medical history, personal preferences, and other factors can affect your options.
AviClear is the latest laser technology with FDA approval, making it one of the safest options to treat acne. That said, being the new kid on the block, it lacks the long-term efficacy data.
On the other hand, Accutane has tons of efficacy data proving its effectiveness in treating severe acne. However, the potentially severe side effects are something you should seriously consider.
If you are on the fence regarding which treatment to choose, consider the following points before making your decision:
- You should consider Accutane in case of severe acne.
- If you worry about side effects, choose AviClear as an alternative to Accutane.
- AviClear treatments work for different skin types.
- Since Accutane is more effective in relieving chronic acne, consider this if you have recurrent outbreaks of severe acne.
- For women of childbearing age, AviClear is the better option.
- AviClear treatment is costlier than Accutane.
Make sure you carefully consider all the points we discussed before choosing between the two options.
Takeaway: Choose the right acne treatment for your skin needs
Both AviClear and Accutane have their merits, making them two of the most popular acne treatments. That said, you should carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages these treatments provide before choosing.
Ultimately, your decision between the two should involve expert consultation.
By carefully weighing the benefits and drawbacks of each treatment and considering individual health and lifestyle factors, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your skincare goals and overall well-being.
Discover the transformative power of AviClear, the latest advancement in acne treatment, at Highline Aesthetics. Book your appointment today to embark on a journey towards clearer, healthier skin with this innovative, FDA-approved solution.