This post and all related posts are written with the permission of the subject. Ashe is 16 years old and has well-our opinion severe acne, but dermatologists might classify it as moderate. Her acne problems began around the eighth grade and have gotten progressively worse during the last two years. Prior treatments have included a prescription for doxycycline, Retin A, and topical clindamycin. They were followed with varying degrees of fidelity since everything caused dryness and the dreaded purging process. Frankly, getting through the purge with the skin irritation was next to impossible. So, she engaged in a futile cycling process resulting in, from this outsider’s perspective, an ever-worsening condition.

Thank goodness for retail stock traders, one of whom had read about Cutera’s laser project. No stranger to cosmetic treatments myself- see prior blog posts- we shared the information with Ashe’s family, about eight weeks after FDA approval. They were ready to give it a try because the next step for our young friend was Accutane. And frankly, the young lady was not going to be a good candidate for that treatment. Hopes were pinned on Avi-Clear.

Ashe agreed to give me updates and answer questions since first-hand accounts are not readily available on the internet. First, in early June when Ashe first learned of the treatment, there were few national providers. She counted about 7 nationwide- the ones recalled were in California, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Arizona. Ashe did not live near any of the providers and wanted to start treatment before school started, especially if there was to be more purging. So in addition to the treatment, there were going to be travel-related costs.

As an early adopter, there was a discount; her family ended up paying around $3500 for 3 treatments spaced one month apart plus all travel. Flights were arranged and Ashe, her twin and a parent headed to Beverly Hills California for treatment number one.

Ashe and her twin are super close and the clinic let them go into the treatment room together. The clinic has a resident labradoodle to make everyone feel comfortable. That was a nice touch. Ashe said that the treatment itself felt like a longer version of having the laser hair removal treatments. In other words, slightly stinging but not terrible. She admitted to being nervous and crying a bit after the experience. She stated she did not cry because the treatment hurt.

Later she took Tylenol and went to bed. The next day was the toughest. Instead of purging five to seven days later- her face, particularly the right side where there had been an active outbreak since a camping trip in early June, erupted with multiple new pimples. There was one significant difference, these new pimples although more numerous, were indeed smaller and did seem to heal more quickly. When I saw Ashe on about the fifth day after the treatment, these were disappearing.

The doctor had also prescribed Winlevy- a new topical treatment approved in 2021. Winlevi works in a more preventive fashion to reduce some of the hormone component of the acne. It is a cream and Ashe reported some itching with it the first day and ended up taking either allegra or claritin.

At the one week mark or more exactly on the eighth day, I had an occasion to see Ashe at her summer workplace. Although she was wearing make-up to cover the remaining breakouts, the texture on the left side of her face was looking smoother. Her forehead still had several pimples, spaced more widely apart. Like her chin and left side break-outs did show improvement. Some level of healing was apparent. Even though she was told by the doctor it would take around nine months to get everything, If progress continues like this, one would think that just a return to normal teenage breakouts would be an acceptable alternative.

So far, so good. Can’t wait to hear about her next week. Thank you to Ashe and her family for letting me share her story to help others understand the experience. Thank you to Cutera for this revolutionary technology.