Cutera AviClear

Acne laser (1726nm sebaceous) · 1726nm fiber laser with AviCool contact cooling

CurrentFDA status under reviewBe the first to review

What it's actually cleared for: FDA 510(k)-cleared March 2022 for the treatment of mild, moderate, and severe acne vulgaris — the first 1726nm device cleared for that indication (verify the specific K-number on accessdata.fda.gov before citing). Keep ads within cleared language.

Last verified: August 6, 2026 · How we verify

New: $100k–$150k|Used: $30k–$60kmarket estimate, no email required

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Bottom line

AviClear made history in March 2022 as the first FDA-cleared 1726nm energy device for acne — mild through severe — and then became a business-school case study: Cutera launched it on a lease model (annual license plus per-patient fees), placed 1,300+ units in 2022-2023, torched its cash flow, pivoted to upfront purchase in late 2023, and rode the fallout into a prepackaged Chapter 11 filed March 2025 (emerged private May 2025). The clinical device is legitimate — durable sebaceous-gland suppression with results that improve over 12-24 months — but patient-throughput economics are harder than the launch hype suggested, and post-restructuring service continuity is the question to press. Buy used at today's distressed pricing only if you have a real dermatology-grade acne pipeline and written answers from Cutera on support and treatment-fee terms.

Overview

No editorial overview published for this platform yet.

How it works

The science

A 1726nm wavelength sits at a selective absorption peak for sebum, letting the device heat and downregulate sebaceous glands — the engine of acne — while AviCool sapphire contact cooling protects the epidermis. Protocol: three ~30-minute full-face sessions a month apart; sebum output drops and inflammatory lesions decline progressively, with published follow-up showing continued improvement one to two years out. Cleared for mild, moderate, and severe acne vulgaris and safe across all Fitzpatrick types — it competes with isotretinoin conversations, not with facials. Head-to-head rival: Accure's 1726nm system with precision thermal monitoring.

Patented tech

AviCool — integrated sapphire skin cooling with temperature sensing — plus Cutera's proprietary 1726nm fiber-laser source; the wavelength selectivity itself is the core IP story.

Origin

Brisbane, California, USA (Cutera).

FDA & regulatory status

FDA status under reviewRegulatory status not yet verified

What it's actually cleared for:

FDA 510(k)-cleared March 2022 for the treatment of mild, moderate, and severe acne vulgaris — the first 1726nm device cleared for that indication (verify the specific K-number on accessdata.fda.gov before citing). Keep ads within cleared language.

Regulatory data is compiled from public FDA 510(k) records and may lag recent clearances. Always confirm status with the manufacturer before purchase.

Treatment economics

What practices charge

$800-1,200 per session, sold as the 3-session course at $2,400-3,600 (metro derm offices push $3,000+); positioned against the cost and burden of an isotretinoin course. Some practices add maintenance singles at 12-18 months.

Consumables & recurring cost

Under the original model the "consumable" was the per-patient treatment fee itself (roughly $1,500-class per course plus an annual license ~$5,000 — terms varied); the 2023 purchase option reduced ongoing per-cycle costs. Current fee structure post-restructuring: verify directly with Cutera before modeling.

Ideal for

Best-fit practice

Dermatology practices and physician-led medspas with an established acne population — teens/20s patients and isotretinoin-hesitant families — who can fill 10+ courses a month. Wrong fit for injectable-led spas with no acne funnel; the device doesn't create demand by itself.

Compliance

Medical director & delegation

Class II medical laser — physician oversight with state-dependent delegation; acne is a medical diagnosis, so keep it under genuine clinical supervision.

Contraindications & screening

Pregnancy, active skin infection or open lesions, photosensitizing conditions/medications, recent isotretinoin per practice policy; screen expectations hard — this is progressive improvement, not clearance at session three.

Ownership

Warranty & service

~1-year warranty with extended contracts; Cutera's 2023-2025 turmoil produced real-world parts and service delays — get current SLA commitments in writing post-emergence.

Resale & used market

Weak and buyer-friendly — the lease-to-purchase conversion and practice churn put plenty of low-use units on the secondary market at steep discounts; verify Cutera will support transferred units and treatment activation before wiring funds.