If you’re struggling with acne, you’ve likely tried a long list of solutions—prescription creams, antibiotics, birth control, facials, peels, supplements, and countless skincare products. While some treatments may provide temporary improvement, many people find themselves caught in a frustrating cycle of recurring breakouts.
So how do you know if AviClear is the right next step?
At Lifted Beauty & Wellness, we believe choosing an acne treatment should start with understanding your skin, your history, and the factors contributing to your breakouts. AviClear can be an incredible tool, but like most things in skincare, it’s not one-size-fits-all.
This guide will help you determine whether AviClear may be the right fit for your skin and your goals.
What Is AviClear?
AviClear is the first FDA-cleared laser treatment designed specifically to treat mild, moderate, and severe acne.
The laser targets the sebaceous (oil) glands, reducing excess oil production—one of the primary drivers of acne formation. By addressing acne at its source, AviClear offers a non-medication approach to achieving clearer skin.
Most patients complete a series of three treatments spaced approximately one month apart.
As one of the nation’s leading AviClear providers, we’ve worked with a wide variety of acne patients—from teenagers experiencing inflammatory breakouts to adults struggling with persistent hormonal acne. What we’ve learned is that successful acne treatment requires more than simply treating what’s visible on the surface.
First, Ask Yourself These Questions
Are You Still Breaking Out Despite Using Good Skincare?
If you’re consistently using quality skincare products but continue experiencing breakouts, your acne may be driven by factors that topical products alone cannot address.
You may be a good candidate for AviClear if:
- You experience frequent inflammatory breakouts
- Your skin is consistently oily or congested
- Acne continues despite professional treatments
- Your breakouts return shortly after improving
- You’ve struggled with acne for months or years
Have You Tried Other Treatments Without Lasting Success?
Many of our AviClear patients have already tried:
- Prescription topical medications
- Oral antibiotics
- Birth control
- Spironolactone
- Accutane
- Chemical peels
- Facials
- Over-the-counter acne products
If you’ve seen temporary improvement but continue to relapse, AviClear may offer a different approach by targeting oil production directly.
Are You Looking for an Alternative to Long-Term Medication?
Many patients choose AviClear because they want a solution that doesn’t rely on taking medication indefinitely.
AviClear may be a good option if you:
- Prefer a non-drug approach
- Have experienced medication side effects
- Want a long-term treatment strategy
- Are you looking to reduce reliance on prescriptions
Are You Committed to a Process?
This may be the most important question of all.
Acne is rarely solved by a single treatment.
The patients who achieve the best outcomes understand that clear skin requires consistency, follow-up, and a willingness to address the factors contributing to their acne.
The Truth About AviClear: The Laser Isn’t the Whole Treatment
One of the biggest misconceptions about AviClear is that the laser alone clears acne.
In reality, the most successful outcomes occur when AviClear is combined with professional guidance, appropriate skincare, and ongoing support.
At Lifted Beauty & Wellness, AviClear is part of a comprehensive acne program that may include:
- Clarifying HydraFacials
- Progress evaluations and treatment adjustments
- IPL and corrective treatments when appropriate
- Lifestyle and wellness recommendations
Acne is complex. Oil production is only one piece of the puzzle. Inflammation, hormones, stress, genetics, skincare habits, and lifestyle factors can all influence the health of your skin.
That’s why we focus on treating the whole person—not just the breakout.
Acne Isn’t Just a Skin Condition
Our philosophy is rooted in identifying and addressing potential contributing factors rather than simply chasing symptoms.
While excess oil production plays a major role in acne development, it isn’t always the only factor involved.
Depending on your history and symptoms, we may discuss:
- Hormonal influences on acne
- Chronic inflammation
- Stress and nervous system health
- Nutrition and dietary triggers
- Sleep quality
- Current medications and supplements
- Previous treatment history
For some patients, AviClear is exactly what their skin needs. For others, combining treatment with a deeper understanding of what’s driving their acne leads to the best long-term outcomes.
In certain cases, Dr. Patrick Fox, ND, may recommend additional evaluation, including hormone or wellness testing, when appropriate.
Our goal isn’t simply to help you achieve clearer skin today—it’s to support healthier skin for years to come.
Why We Start with a Clarifying HydraFacial
Many people are surprised to learn that we don’t typically start with AviClear.
Instead, we prefer to begin with a Clarifying HydraFacial consultation.
This allows us to:
- Thoroughly assess your skin and acne type
- Remove congestion and excess oil
- Review your current skincare routine
- Identify potential triggers
- Evaluate your skin’s overall health
- Determine whether AviClear is truly the best treatment option
Sometimes patients come in convinced they need AviClear, only to discover another treatment—or combination of treatments—may be more appropriate.
Our goal is to recommend what’s best for your skin, not simply sell a procedure.
Understanding Your Skin Beyond What We Can See
Acne isn’t always fully visible on the surface.
That’s why we often incorporate Glimpse Skin Analysis into the consultation process.
This technology helps us evaluate:
- Inflammation
- Acne lesion counts
- Oil activity
- Pigmentation
- Overall skin health trends
Combined with a comprehensive review of your skincare routine, treatment history, and lifestyle factors, this information helps us create a truly personalized treatment plan.
It also allows us to objectively track progress over time, which can be especially valuable during acne treatment, when changes aren’t always obvious day to day.
What About the “Purge” Phase?
Many patients notice increased congestion or breakouts in the weeks following treatment.
This is commonly referred to as the “purge phase” and can be a normal part of the process as the skin adjusts.
While temporary, it’s important to understand that acne improvement is a journey—not an overnight transformation.
This is one of the reasons ongoing support and follow-up appointments are so important. We help patients navigate each stage of treatment and make adjustments when necessary.
Who May Not Be the Ideal Candidate for AviClear?
AviClear may not be the best fit if:
- Your primary concern is acne scarring rather than active acne
- You rarely experience active breakouts
- Another skin condition is causing your symptoms
- You’re looking for a one-time treatment with no ongoing commitment
In some cases, treatments such as IPL, chemical peels, microneedling, or scar revision procedures may be more appropriate.
A consultation can help determine the best path forward.
What Results Can You Expect?
Every patient’s skin is different, but many AviClear patients experience:
- Fewer inflammatory breakouts
- Reduced oil production
- Less congestion
- Improved skin clarity
- Greater confidence in their skin
Results continue to develop over time, particularly when treatment is supported by consistent skincare, professional guidance, and lifestyle modifications where appropriate.
What to Expect at Your AviClear Consultation
At Lifted Beauty & Wellness, an AviClear consultation is designed to determine whether the treatment is truly the best fit for your skin.
Your visit may include:
✔ Clarifying HydraFacial consultation
✔ Comprehensive acne assessment
✔ Review of previous treatments and skincare
✔ Discussion of lifestyle, hormones, and potential acne triggers
✔ Personalized treatment recommendations
If AviClear is the right fit, we’ll create a customized roadmap designed around your skin, your goals, and your lifestyle.
Ready to Find Out if AviClear Is Right for You?
If you’re tired of temporary solutions and want a more comprehensive approach to acne treatment, we’re here to help.
At Lifted Beauty & Wellness in Seattle, we combine advanced technologies like AviClear with professional skincare, skin analysis, and root-cause evaluation to help patients achieve healthier skin and longer-lasting results.
Whether you’re a teenager struggling with persistent breakouts or an adult navigating hormonal acne, we’ll help you determine whether AviClear is the right next step—and create a treatment plan tailored specifically to you.
