SEOLREIM · JOURNAL
1726nm acne laser: sebaceous-gland targeting, 1-year research, and treatment limitations
Full translation of the Korean article. Translation checked for completeness, numerical consistency and medical meaning; separate medical review of this translation is pending. Translation updated: 2026-10-28.
A 1726nm acne laser uses lipid absorption in sebaceous glands to induce selective thermal responses. A 1-year follow-up study of a specific device reported improvement in inflammatory acne, but its uncontrolled design does not mean a cure for everyone or superiority to isotretinoin. Distinguish active acne, scars, and marks, and confirm the role alongside medicines, actual device, approval, and cooling.
Definition, benefits and precautions at a glance
| Category | What to check |
|---|---|
| Goal | Improving active acne through sebaceous-gland-targeted thermal responses |
| Category | Not the same goal as fractional lasers for scars |
| Latest evidence | 1-year follow-up data published in 2026; consider controls, attrition, and industry ties |
| Recovery | Warmth, erythema, and swelling possible; individual and device differences |
| Limitations | Recurrence or nonresponse possible; no guaranteed complete correction of pores or scars |
Definitions and how the treatments work
Selective photothermolysis aims to reduce surrounding injury by controlling light absorption in specific targets, pulses, energy, and cooling. A 1726nm laser has been studied for sebaceous-gland-associated lipids, but devices using the same wavelength differ in contact cooling, air cooling, temperature monitoring, and other delivery features. Distinguish it from PDT, where a photosensitizer is applied first; ordinary LEDs and home light-device effects cannot be equated with this device’s research.
Potential benefits and limitations
A multicenter 1-year study published in month 2 of 2026 reported fewer inflammatory lesions; 71 of 104 participants attended the 52-week assessment. Interpret effect size cautiously because of no control group, open-label design, image assessment, follow-up attrition, and manufacturer-related conflicts. A paper reporting no particular side effect does not mean burns or pigmentation risks are absent in every treatment. Scars, pigment, comedones, and hormonal factors may need separate management.
Suitable candidates and preliminary assessment
Adults with recurrent inflammatory acne should have diagnosis, severity, response to standard medicines, and side effects assessed together. Do not delay treatment when deep nodules, cysts, or scarring risk are substantial. Disclose skin infection, wounds, herpes, tanning, photosensitizing medicines, isotretinoin, retinoids, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and recent procedures. Do not stop medicines yourself; let the clinician determine suitability and timing with the device’s current instructions.
Procedure, recovery and preparation
Record photographs and lesion counts; confirm the actual model, approved uses, sessions, intervals, cooling, eye protection, and pain control. After preparing skin, treat according to settings and monitor erythema, swelling, and warmth. Research session schedules are not fixed individual prescriptions. Obtain advice to avoid irritating exfoliants, friction, and strong sunlight, track lesions over weeks to months, and continue medication, moisturizing, and recurrence management after returning home.
Adverse effects, contraindications and precautions
Pain, erythema, swelling, and tenderness are possible; consider burns, blisters, pigment changes, and infection according to settings, cooling, and skin condition. Persistent severe pain, blisters, spreading erythema, eye pain, or visual abnormalities need immediate assessment. Do not arbitrarily increase intensity or stack procedures because effects are slow or acne recurs. Do not assume foreign device approval is the same as Korean approval.
Comparing 1726nm lasers, PDT, medication, and scar treatment
| Method | Main goal | Key differences and precautions |
|---|---|---|
| 1726nm laser | Sebaceous-gland-targeted thermal response | Check device-specific cooling, approval, and long-term comparative evidence |
| PDT | Photochemical reaction of a photosensitizer and light | Recovery differs in light avoidance, pain, and flaking |
| Standard medicines | Managing comedonal, inflammatory, hormonal, and sebum pathways | An ongoing plan matched to severity, pregnancy, and side effects |
| Fractional treatment/subcision | Mainly improving residual scar structures | Separate goals and timing from active-acne management |
Questions and answers for a medical consultation
The answers below are literature-based consultation questions, not a clinician interview or individual diagnosis; actual medical review remains incomplete.
Q. Do I stop acne medicines immediately after laser treatment?
A. No. The prescribing clinician should adjust them according to response, recurrence, and scarring risk.
Q. Will pores and acne scars also disappear?
A. Improving active acne and correcting pores or scars are different goals requiring separate assessment.
Q. Can 1726 nm acne laser treatment in Korea be completed on a short trip?
A. Multiple sessions and follow-up may be needed, so treatment completion in one trip cannot be guaranteed.
Evidence sources and full text
Goldberg et al., 1-year multicenter study of a sebaceous-selective 1726nm laser (online 2025-10-04; published in month 2 of 2026, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41052654/), early multicenter prospective study (2023, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37328000/), AAD acne guidelines (2024, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38300170/ ; guideline information https://www.aad.org/news/updated-guidelines-acne-management). Evidence checked: 2026-10-10. Manufacturer ties, lack of controls, and follow-up attrition were disclosed without guaranteeing individual effects.
SEOLREIM’s principle of consultations and procedures performed personally by the director
SEOLREIM Clinic describes consultations and procedures performed personally by the clinic director, with principles of genuine products, appropriate doses, and attentive care. Consultations begin by distinguishing skin condition and goals, then checking the products and devices actually available, approved uses, dosage or energy plans, recovery, and risks. In the signature acne and pore program, the director separates active inflammation, comedones, marks, and scars to plan the sequence. Confirm actual ownership, Korean approval, and provision of 1726nm devices and AviClear when booking.
Booking, language, and location information for overseas visitors
Visitors seeking acne treatment Korea or pore treatment Korea should send English names and photographs of current medicines and previous treatment responses. It is important to plan sessions around the stay and arrange continued medication and reassessment after returning home. SEOLREIM Clinic is approximately 1 minute from exit 3 of Gangnam Station, on the 11th floor of the Gangnam8258 Building. Appointments can be made through the website’s KakaoTalk consultation, NAVER booking, and telephone channels. Overseas visitors comparing dermatology clinics in Gangnam, Seoul, near Gangnam Station, or elsewhere in Korea should prepare information on medications, allergies, recent procedures, and departure dates. When booking, specify your preferred language, such as Japanese, Chinese, Arabic, Mongolian, or Indonesian, and whether you need interpretation, to confirm the support actually available and its cost. Continuous consultation availability in every language and same-day procedures cannot be guaranteed. Also agree during consultation on how to contact the clinic about adverse reactions after returning home and when follow-up assessments will occur.
Authorship, review and dates
Written by: SEOLREIM content editor / Medical review of the source: completed / Review confirmed: 2026-10-23 / Published: 2026-10-10 / Updated: 2026-10-27. General medical information, not a substitute for individual diagnosis or a procedure prescription.
SEOLREIM · GANGNAM, SEOUL
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