TheraClearX™ in NYC: The Advanced, Painless Acne Treatment
Break Up with Breakouts. A revolutionary FDA-cleared therapy combining vacuum and broadband light to clear pores and destroy bacteria without downtime.
18+ Years of Dermatologic Excellence. Nationally Recognized Acne Expert.
Safe, FDA-cleared technology for all skin types. All treatments are supervised by Dr. Arash Akhavan.
What is TheraClearX™?
Reimagine acne treatment with TheraClearX™, the newest advancement in photopneumatic therapy. Unlike traditional facials or aggressive lasers, TheraClearX™ treats the root causes of acne—including stubborn blackheads, whiteheads, and inflammatory lesions—by mechanically extracting debris while simultaneously destroying acne-causing bacteria.
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90% Clearance: Clinical data shows up to 90% clearance of acne lesions after just 4 treatments.
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Up to 50% Reduction in 1 Visit: Patients have demonstrated up to a 50% improvement in lesion count after a single session.
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78% Less Inflammation: Studies indicate a 78.8% reduction in inflammatory lesion counts one month after completing a treatment series.
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87% Patient Satisfaction: In clinical surveys, 87% of patients stated they were likely to recommend TheraClearX™ treatment to a friend
Customized Acne Protocols
TheraClearX™: The Core Therapy
The FDA-cleared solution for mild-to-moderate acne, clogged pores, and maintenance.
- Photopneumatic Technology: This dual-action treatment combines a gentle vacuum with broadband light. The vacuum mechanically lifts stubborn sebaceous debris and "plugs" that topicals cannot reach, while the light energy destroys C. acnes bacteria instantly.
- Root Cause Treatment: Unlike facials that treat the surface, TheraClearX™ targets the sebaceous gland itself to reduce future oil production and inflammation.
- Pore Refinement: Patients typically see a visible reduction in pore size and an improvement in overall skin texture after just a few sessions.
- Painless & Fast: The treatment takes just 10–20 minutes, requires no anesthesia, and has zero downtime, allowing you to return immediately to your daily routine.
Complimentary Medical Therapies
We often combine TheraClearX™ with these advanced modalities to accelerate clearance for stubborn or severe cases.
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HydraFacial Clarifying Treatment: This is a specialized medical-grade protocol designed specifically for acne-prone skin. Clinical studies show that 100% of patients reported clearer skin and 65% achieved completely acne-free skin with this treatment alone. It uses patented vortex technology to painlessly extract impurities and reduce inflammation. While we find HydraFacial to be a powerful on its own, it is an excellent partner to TheraClearX™ for comprehensive pore clearing.
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M22™ IPL (Acne Filter): For patients with significant redness or inflammatory lesions, we may utilize the Lumenis M22™ Intense Pulsed Light system with a specialized acne filter to further target vascular components and bacteria.
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SKNV Custom Prescription Creams: As a partner with SKNV, a specialized pharmaceutical manufacturer, we offer customized prescription creams tailored to your specific skin needs—formulas you cannot get at a standard pharmacy.
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Medical Management: When necessary, we integrate oral medications or standard prescription creams to tackle hormonal or cystic components from the inside out.
PAIN LEVEL
Minimal. No anesthesia or numbing required.
PROCEDURE TYPE
FDA-Cleared Photopneumatic Therapy (Vacuum + Light).
DURATION OF PROCEDURE:
10-20 minutes.
INDICATIONS
Comedonal acne (blackheads/whiteheads), pustules, and inflammatory acne vulgaris.
ONSET OF RESULTS
Visible improvement often seen as early as the second treatment.
RESULTS DURATION
Long-term skin health; maintenance treatments recommended as needed for each individual.
RECOVERY TIME
No downtime. Immediate return to daily activities.
Before and After Images
TheraClearX™ vs. The Alternatives
See how photopneumatic therapy compares to other common acne solutions.
| Feature | TheraClearX™ Therapy | Oral Medications / Facials |
|---|---|---|
| The Mechanism | Dual-Action Technology(Vacuum extracts + Light destroys bacteria) | Single Mode Only(Systemic pills or manual squeezing) |
| Speed of Results | Visible in 2 Treatments(Fast clearance for events) | Slow Onset(Meds take 2-3 months to work) |
| Pain Level | Painless & Comfortable(No numbing needed) | Painful or Irritating(Manual extractions cause trauma) |
| Systemic Safety | Zero Systemic Side Effects(Safe for all patients) | High Risk Profile(Dryness, mood changes, etc.) |
| Downtime | Zero Downtime(Immediate return to life) | Redness & Peeling(Common with facials/retinoids) |
NYC's Top Acne Dermatologist
Safety is not just a claim; it is a proven track record. Dr. Arash Akhavan has been recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for over a decade and a New York Magazine Best Doctor.
While many providers rely solely on basic facials or aggressive lasers, Dr. Akhavan has spent 18+ years teaching advanced dermatologic techniques at The Mount Sinai Medical Center. When you choose us for your acne treatment, you are choosing a comprehensive medical approach overseen by one of Manhattan's most trusted experts.
Trusted by NYC’s Most Discerning Patients
Real stories from patients who trust Dr. Akhavan with their faces.
Precision Clearance: Targeted Solutions for Stubborn Acne
Acne is rarely a single condition; it is a complex cycle of inflammation, bacteria, and obstruction that manifests differently in every patient. Standard facials and generic creams often fail because they treat every breakout the same way.
At The Dermatology and Laser Group, we use TheraClearX™ to target the specific biological mechanism driving your unique acne profile. Whether you are battling deep "keratin plugs" or active inflammatory bacterial colonies, this device adapts to clear the problem at its source, delivering results where traditional methods have failed.
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Comedonal Acne (Blackheads & Whiteheads): The vacuum mechanically lifts and extracts the stubborn "keratin plug" blocking the pore—clearing congestion that topical creams simply cannot reach.
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Inflammatory Pustules: For painful, red breakouts, the broadband light component instantly targets and destroys C. acnes bacteria to sterilize the lesion and rapidly reduce inflammation.
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Persistent Redness (Erythema): Many patients are left with red marks long after a pimple is gone. The device’s targeted light energy works to visibly decrease localized redness and normalize skin tone.
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Excessive Oil & Shine: By thermally heating the sebaceous gland, TheraClearX™ regulates overactive oil production, resulting in a more matte, refined skin texture.
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Enlarged Pores: Chronic congestion stretches pore walls. By evacuating deep debris, we see a visible reduction in pore size and an improvement in overall skin smoothness.
Body Acne: Chest, Back, and Butt Solutions
Body acne—often affecting the back ("Bacne"), chest, and butt—presents a unique challenge due to thicker skin and friction from clothing that traps bacteria deep within follicles.
TheraClearX™ is uniquely engineered to solve this. The system features specialized Large Treatment Tips designed to treat broad, flat areas like the back and chest efficiently. The vacuum technology is particularly effective here, physically lifting deep blockages from thicker body skin that manual extractions often miss. This makes it the ideal solution for clearing extensive breakouts before a vacation, wedding, or summer season.
What To Expect During Your TheraClearX™ Visit
Your appointment at The Dermatology and Laser Group is designed to be efficient, comfortable, and clinically precise. While we offer a relaxing environment, this is a medical-grade treatment supervised by Board-Certified experts. Here is the quick breakdown of your visit:
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Step 1: The Analysis. We perform a thorough examination of your skin to identify your specific acne type (comedonal vs. inflammatory) and your skin phototype. This allows us to customize the vacuum pressure and light energy settings for maximum safety and efficacy.
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Step 2: The Comfort. Unlike painful manual extractions or snapping lasers, TheraClearX™ is remarkably comfortable. No numbing cream is required. The device features a specialized cooling tip that protects the skin, making the experience painless for nearly all patients.
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Step 3: The Treatment. The handpiece is placed over the treatment area. You will feel a gentle suction as the pore is elevated, followed by a quick pulse of light (often described as a mild warming sensation). A full-face treatment typically takes just 10–20 minutes.
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Step 4: Immediate Return. There is zero downtime. You may experience mild pinkness that typically fades within 30 minutes. You can re-apply makeup immediately and return to work, school, or dinner plans right away.
Aftercare & Optimization: Maximizing Your Clear Skin
Immediate Aftercare Steps
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Keep it Simple: You may wash your face with a gentle cleanser this evening. Avoid scrubbing or using abrasive exfoliants for 24 hours.
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Sun Protection: Your skin may be slightly more sensitive to light immediately following treatment. We recommend applying a broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen (SPF 30+) daily.
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Hydrate: Use a non-comedogenic moisturizer to soothe the skin, as the reduction in oil production can sometimes cause mild temporary dryness.
Maintenance & Long-Term Results
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The Goal: Our goal is long-term skin health, not just a quick fix. By targeting the root cause of acne, we aim to reduce the frequency and severity of future breakouts.
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Maintenance: Once your initial series is complete, maintenance treatments are recommended as needed for each individual. Some patients visit us monthly to keep pores clear, while others return only when they sense a flare-up coming.
Combining Treatments for Better Results
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Same-Day Synergy: TheraClearX™ pairs perfectly with the HydraFacial Clarifying Treatment.
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Home Care Integration: TheraClearX™ opens the pores, which can actually improve the absorption of topical medications. We may prescribe custom compounded creams (via SKNV) or medical-grade skincare to use at home between sessions to lock in your results.
Prime Location Near the Upper East Side
Our practice is centrally located on East 60th Street, offering easy access for patients in Midtown East, Midtown West, Lenox Hill, Sutton Place, Central Park South, and the Upper East Side.
Whether you are visiting us from your office in Midtown or home uptown, we provide a private, luxury medical environment just steps from the subway.
TheraClearX™ FAQ's
We offer a comprehensive package of 6 treatments for $2,400. This protocol is designed to deliver the complete recommended course of therapy for maximum clearance. We believe in transparent, flat-fee pricing so you know exactly what to expect before you begin.
For optimal long-term results, we perform a series of 6 treatments spaced 1–2 weeks apart. This frequency allows us to disrupt the acne cycle effectively—clearing current breakouts while preventing new ones from forming.
No. Unlike painful manual extractions or "snapping" lasers, TheraClearX™ is remarkably comfortable. The device uses a specialized cooling mechanism and gentle vacuum pressure. Most patients describe it as a mild warming sensation and require no numbing cream or anesthesia.
There is absolutely no social downtime. You may experience mild pinkness immediately after the procedure, which typically resolves within 30 minutes. You can apply makeup right away and return to work, school, or your evening plans immediately.
Yes. TheraClearX™ is FDA-cleared for all skin types (Fitzpatrick I-VI). The specialized broadband light filter removes dangerous wavelengths, making it safe even for darker skin tones that are usually at risk of pigmentation issues with other laser devices.
Arash Akhavan, MD is founder and owner of The Dermatology and Laser Group, one of the top centers for cosmetic procedures in New York City for over a decade. Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD is a Board Certified Dermatologist and an Associate Professor at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Akhavan is a Castle Connolly Top Doc, New York Magazine Best Doctor, and Super Doctor featured in The New York Times. Dr. Akhavan is a key opinion leader that has been featured on hundreds of media publications including The New York Times, Allure, Marie Claire, Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, ABC News, Fox News, Fox 5, NY1, WPIX, and more. He has been featured on nationally syndicated television programs such as The Doctors.
Dr. Akhavan serves as an educator and lecturer for multiple aesthetic device and injectable companies. This allows his office access to newer technologies at an earlier date than other offices, as well as a higher level of expertise in the use of these devices. This, in turn, translates to more effective and safer treatments for our patients.