Teen Acne Treatments

Back to School: AviClear Laser Acne Treatment for Clear Skin

September brings new classes, new friends, and a busy calendar of school events – and AviClear acne treatment helps teens start the school year confidently with clear, healthy skin. Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, and the American Academy of Dermatology reports that about 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24 experience at least some acne.

AviClear is an FDA-cleared laser for mild, moderate, and severe acne in all skin types, and most patients complete AviClear acne treatment in just three short sessions. For teens, clear skin brings a welcome boost in confidence for class presentations, dances, sports, and school photos. The fall calendar fills quickly with homecoming, team photos, and college interviews, so September is the perfect month to start acne treatment.

Goldenberg Dermatology is one of only a few practices in Manhattan and NYC to offer AviClear, one of the most advanced acne treatment technologies available today. Board certified dermatologists Drs. Gary and Kristina Goldenberg create personalized AviClear acne treatment plans that help students feel confident from the first day of school through graduation.

What Causes Teen Acne

Acne begins inside the pores. Each pore contains a hair follicle and a sebaceous gland, which produces an oily substance called sebum. When excess sebum mixes with dead skin cells, it can plug the pore, and bacteria called Cutibacterium acnes can multiply inside, leading to redness and inflammation. Acne can take several forms, including blackheads, whiteheads, red pimples, and deeper cysts.

Hormones drive much of teen acne. During puberty, rising androgen levels signal the sebaceous glands to grow larger and produce more oil, which is why breakouts often first appear in the early teen years. Stress, sleep changes, and busy schedules during the school year can also influence how often breakouts occur. Acne also tends to run in families, so teens whose parents had acne are more likely to experience it themselves.

Teen acne usually appears on the face, chest, and back, where sebaceous glands are most concentrated. Because overactive oil glands are at the root of most breakouts, an acne treatment that targets these glands directly offers the most lasting improvement. This is exactly how AviClear works, and it is why AviClear acne treatment is such an effective acne treatment available at Goldenberg Dermatology in Manhattan.

Why Over The Counter Acne Treatments Aren’t Enough

Over-the-counter acne treatments such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and adapalene gel can help with mild breakouts. These products work on the surface of the skin by reducing bacteria, loosening dead skin cells, and keeping pores clear.

The benefits of surface products last only as long as they are applied every day, and many teens find a consistent routine hard to maintain between classes, practices, and homework. Moderate and severe acne, including deep and painful cysts, typically needs a stronger acne treatment to clear. Dryness and irritation from drugstore products can also make them difficult to use consistently, especially for teens with sensitive skin.

AviClear acne treatment reaches the sebaceous glands beneath the surface, so results continue long after the final session. Manhattan board certified dermatologists Drs. Gary and Kristina Goldenberg recommend AviClear for teens who want a more effective acne treatment than over-the-counter products can provide. Their evaluation also identifies the type of acne a teen has, so the right acne treatment can begin sooner.

How the AviClear Laser Treats Acne

AviClear uses a 1726 nanometer wavelength of laser light, which sebum absorbs more readily than the surrounding skin. This allows the AviClear laser to gently heat and suppress the sebaceous glands while leaving the outer skin intact.

When the sebaceous glands produce less oil, pores are less likely to clog, and new breakouts become smaller and less frequent. A built-in contact cooling system called AviCool keeps the skin comfortable throughout each AviClear acne treatment session. Improvement builds gradually after each visit as the sebaceous glands become less active, and results continue to develop for months after the final session.

A full course of AviClear acne treatment typically includes three 30-minute sessions spaced about a month apart. Each session fits easily into a school schedule, and students can return to class the same day. Drs. Gary and Kristina Goldenberg tailor every AviClear session to the patient’s skin and acne history.

Benefits of AviClear Laser Acne Treatment

AviClear delivers impressive results for teens and adults with mild, moderate, or severe acne. According to clinical data from Cutera, the manufacturer of AviClear, 90% of patients saw visible improvement in their acne six months after their third session, and that number rose to 92% at 12 months.

AviClear acne treatment is a prescription-free option, so there are no daily pills to remember and no complicated routine to manage around school. The AviClear laser is also safe for all skin types and skin tones, which makes this acne treatment an excellent choice for students of every background.

AviClear works on acne of every severity, from occasional breakouts to deep, cystic acne. Because AviClear reduces oil production, many patients also notice a less oily complexion. Fewer breakouts also mean fewer chances for acne marks and scars to form, which helps protect the skin for years to come.

Drs. Gary and Kristina Goldenberg understand how easily AviClear acne treatments fit into a teen (and parent’s) busy life, since three short visits are all most patients need. This convenience makes AviClear an ideal acne treatment for students and their families who choose Goldenberg Dermatology in Manhattan.

Safety of AviClear Laser Acne Treatment

AviClear acne treatment uses targeted laser energy rather than medication, so it avoids the whole-body side effects that can come with oral acne medicines. Oral antibiotics can upset the stomach and increase sun sensitivity, and isotretinoin, often known by the brand name Accutane, requires monthly check-ins and lab monitoring through an FDA safety program called iPLEDGE.

The most common effects of AviClear are temporary redness and mild swelling, which usually fade within hours. Most patients resume their normal activities, including school and sports, right after each session. Some patients notice a short-term increase in breakouts during the first weeks as the sebaceous glands respond, and this is a normal part of the process. According to Cutera, no participant in the AviClear clinical studies needed pain relief during treatment.

Because the AviClear laser targets only the oil glands, this acne treatment is well suited to every skin tone and color. The board certified dermatologists at Goldenberg Dermatology in Manhattan review each patient’s age, medical history, and acne severity to confirm that AviClear is the right acne treatment before the first session.

Long Lasting Results of AviClear Laser Acne Treatment

AviClear acne treatment clears current breakouts and helps prevent future ones by calming overactive sebaceous glands. Reducing oil production at the source is what allows AviClear results to last, since fewer clogged pores lead to fewer new pimples. Clinical trials show that breakouts that do occur after AviClear tend to be shorter, less intense, and less frequent.

Results from AviClear continue to improve over time. In 2023, the FDA granted AviClear an additional clearance recognizing it as a long-term acne treatment for mild to severe acne, based on data showing that improvement increased between six and 12 months after the final session.

Long-lasting clearance allows students to focus on school, friends, and activities with confidence. For many teens, a single course of AviClear acne treatment in the fall supports clear skin through the entire school year and beyond. Dr. Gary Goldenberg and Dr. Kristina Goldenberg monitor each patient’s progress and adjust the acne treatment plan whenever needed.

AviClear Laser + Other Acne Treatment

AviClear works well on its own, and it can also be combined with other therapies for even stronger results. We pair AviClear with medications and clinical-grade topical skin care products designed specifically to clear acne breakouts. For some teens, a short course of topical or oral medication during the AviClear series helps calm active breakouts while AviClear reduces oil production.

Goldenberg Dermatology offers a wide range of therapies to clear acne and improve acne scarring. Acne treatment options include topical creams, oral antibiotics or Accutane, chemical peels, laser treatment, microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and acne surgery, which removes stubborn blackheads, whiteheads, and cysts. Chemical peels and microneedling with PRP are especially helpful for smoothing the texture and marks left by past breakouts.

Combining AviClear with the right supporting acne treatment helps each patient achieve the best possible result. At Goldenberg Dermatology in Manhattan, Drs. Gary and Kristina Goldenberg design every acne treatment plan around the patient’s skin type, lifestyle, and goals. This combined approach also helps fade marks from earlier breakouts as the skin clears.

AviClear Acne Treatment | Manhattan

A new school year is the perfect time to give your teen the confidence and self-esteem that comes with clear skin. AviClear acne treatment offers lasting results in just three quick sessions, with little to no downtime and no daily medication or side effects. Starting your teen’s acne treatment regimen in September ensures they will enjoy homecoming, hanging out and other social events this school year – with the anxiety of acne breakouts.

To learn whether AviClear – or another advanced acne treatment – is right for your teen, schedule an appointment at Goldenberg Dermatology in Manhattan with Dr. Gary or Kristina Goldenberg. Our board certified dermatologists are here to help your family plan a confident, clear-skinned school year, from homecoming to graduation.

Manhattan Laser Acne Treatment: 212-405-8202