ClearSkin Acne
Laser on Alma Harmony XL Pro

Why 1540 nm

Acne starts in the sebaceous gland, which sits in the mid-dermis. Lasers that target colour cannot reach it selectively, but the 1540 nm Er:Glass wavelength is absorbed by water, penetrates past the epidermis and deposits heat around the gland. Heating reduces sebum output and the inflammation that comes with it. Because melanin absorbs very little at this wavelength, the laser can be used across skin tones with conservative settings.

Vacuum and cooling

The ClearSkin tip does three things in each pulse. A vacuum lifts the skin into the tip, bringing follicles closer to the beam and drawing sebaceous material out of the pore. Contact cooling keeps the surface cool, which protects the epidermis and makes the pulse tolerable without anaesthetic cream. Then the laser delivers three or four stacked pulses. Alma's own studies used 400–600 mJ per pulse with a 4 mm spot; your doctor sets energy to your skin and lesion type.

What the studies show

• Mild-to-moderate acne, 12 patients, four to six sessions two weeks apart: every patient improved moderately or significantly, with only transient redness; improvement scores fell from 3.6 to 2.0 out of 4 between one and three months after the last session, which is why maintenance matters.
• Atrophic acne scars, 25 patients, three to six sessions: 24 improved moderately or significantly at one and three months.
• Acne lesions and scars treated together, 22 patients, three to seven sessions: both improved, with mild transient effects.
• Independent work with another 1540 nm Er:Glass laser reported 78 % investigator-rated improvement at six months after four sessions, held at 80 % at nine months with one retreatment.
• DermNet summarises small studies of the 1540 nm laser as a 68–82 % reduction in acne lesions with very few side effects.

Regulatory scope, stated plainly

The current US FDA clearance for the Alma Harmony ClearSkin Pro 1540 nm applicator (K233024, February 2024) covers dermatological procedures requiring fractional skin resurfacing and coagulation of soft tissue. Its use for acne rests on the clinical studies above and on Alma's stated indications, not on that clearance. Our device is an original Alma Harmony XL Pro supplied through the official UAE distributor and used within DHA requirements.

What ClearSkin does not do

It does not clear comedones on its own, stop hormonal acne, or treat cystic nodular acne without medication. It softens shallow scars but does not fill deep ice-pick scars. Expect fewer, smaller and shorter-lived breakouts and a less oily surface after a course, not skin that never breaks out again.

Laser and medication together

Most acne plans start with a dermatologist consultation, where our doctors grade your acne, look for hormonal or medication triggers and prescribe topical or oral treatment when needed. ClearSkin fits beside that plan: it reduces oil and inflammation between medication reviews and helps people who cannot or prefer not to take oral treatment. Severe nodular or cystic acne is treated with medication first; the laser follows once inflammation is under control.

ClearSkin or LED light

LED therapy with blue and red light acts on surface bacteria and inflammation and has no downtime, but it does not reach the sebaceous glands. We often use it after a ClearSkin session to calm redness or between sessions for mild acne. Heleo4 photodynamic treatment is another light option for congested, oily skin.

ClearSkin or peels and facials

A PRX-T33 peel, a HydraFacial or a deep cleansing facial clears comedones and surface build-up, which the laser does not do well. We schedule them at least a week away from a laser session so the skin barrier is not stressed twice. Back and chest acne are assessed separately; the standard ClearSkin service is for the face.

Acne scars that need more than ClearSkin

ClearSkin improves shallow, rolling scars through collagen remodelling. Deeper boxcar and ice-pick scars respond better to fractional resurfacing with iPixel, Morpheus8 RF microneedling or SkinPen microneedling, which we plan once active acne is controlled.

ClearSkin for lips

The same handpiece is used at low settings in our ClearSkin lip rejuvenation treatment for lip texture and fine lines; that is a separate service with its own assessment.

Before your session

Bring your skincare product list so we can confirm what to pause and when to restart. Do not stop prescribed treatment without your prescriber’s advice.

• Stop benzoyl peroxide, salicylic and glycolic acids three to five days before. Keep a gentle cleanser and a plain moisturiser.
• No waxing, threading or depilatory creams on the area for seven days; men should shave the evening before.
• Avoid sunbathing and sunbeds for one to two weeks. Use SPF 30–50 daily.
• Tell us about any new medicine, and about cold sores.
• Arrive with clean skin and no make-up.

The first 24 hours

• Expect pinkness, warmth and sometimes slight swelling for a few hours. A clean cool compress helps; do not apply ice directly.
• Cleanse with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser using fingertips only.
• Apply a light, non-comedogenic moisturiser with ceramides or hyaluronic acid. Acne-prone skin does not usually need an occlusive ointment; if a patch feels dry and tight, a very thin layer of plain petrolatum on that patch is fine.
• No make-up until the next day. No saunas, steam rooms, hot baths or hard exercise for 24 to 48 hours.

Days two to seven

• Keep using the gentle cleanser, light moisturiser and SPF 50 every morning, reapplied outdoors. Sun on treated skin is the main cause of dark marks.
• Do not use scrubs, exfoliating acids or benzoyl peroxide for three to five days; restart them gradually after that, or as your dermatologist advises.
• Do not pick, squeeze or peel anything. Inflamed spots may dry and flatten over a few days; let them.
• Small blisters or crusts are uncommon. If they appear, message us with a photo before applying anything.

Between sessions and after the course

Sessions are usually two to three weeks apart, and sunscreen continues every day for at least two weeks after the last one. Sebaceous glands recover with time, so we review you at the end of the course and plan a maintenance session every few months if your skin is acne-prone; the published series retreated at six months to hold results. Bring your medication list to each visit so we can adjust the plan together.

Our device and clinical process

Evolution Aesthetics Clinic holds DHA Polyclinic License 6000514. Our Alma Harmony XL Pro and its ClearSkin PRO handpiece are original equipment bought through the official UAE distributor, and every session is performed by our specialist dermatologists, who can also prescribe acne medication. We explain the plan, expected result, risks, alternatives and total price before you consent, and we can show you the device paperwork.

Common and less common effects

Redness, warmth and mild swelling for a few hours to a day are common; inflamed spots may feel tender and dry out over a few days. Less common effects are small blisters, crusting, a temporary acne flare, and darker or paler patches that can take months to fade, more likely on tanned or darker skin or when sunscreen is skipped. A cold-sore outbreak can be triggered in people who get them. Scarring is rare. The laser can injure the eyes, so you wear protective eyewear throughout.

When to contact us

Message us the same day if you develop blisters, crusts, severe pain, spreading redness, pus or a cold sore. Do not apply acids or benzoyl peroxide to a reacting area, and do not have another treatment elsewhere before we have assessed it.

When treatment may be unsuitable

We postpone ClearSkin during pregnancy and breastfeeding, over active infection such as cold sores or impetigo, open wounds, severe dermatitis or uncontrolled inflammatory skin disease, and on skin that has been sunburnt or self-tanned in the last two weeks. Photosensitising medicines and supplements, including St John's wort, need a timing review. A history of keloid scarring or abnormal healing, uncontrolled diabetes, bleeding disorders, significant immunosuppression and light-triggered epilepsy also need review. Licensing and an original device are firm standards; they do not remove these risks.