Isolaz: What You Need to Know

Written byMegan DeemUpdated on June 13, 2023
You can trust RealSelf content to be unbiased and medically accurate. Learn more about our content standards.
Written byMegan DeemUpdated on June 13, 2023
You can trust RealSelf content to be unbiased and medically accurate. Learn more about our content standards.

Fast facts

68% Worth It rating based on 12 reviews

No downtime

No anesthesia

Suitable for all skin tones


Isolaz (Page Image)
Isolaz (Page Image)

Isolaz is an FDA-cleared treatment for mild to moderate acne. It combines a vacuum, broadband light, and topical skincare products to clear clogged pores and reduce blemishes. Although the face is the most common treatment area, Isolaz can also be used on your back and chest. It’s also safe for all skin tones and types. 

It works best as a series of treatments. Every patient will have a personalized schedule, but you can expect to need four to five sessions, one to three weeks apart. Each painless treatment takes 15 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the area treated. 

Your dermatologist or esthetician will start by cleansing your skin and giving you a pair of goggles to protect your eyes. Then they’ll direct the vacuum tip of the device over the treatment area. You’ll feel gentle suction and warmth as it removes dead skin cells, dirt, and oil from your pores. While the device suctions, it simultaneously emits a broadband pulsed light which kills acne-causing bacteria. After the area is completely treated, the vacuum clears and opens pores for maximum product penetration. A combination of skincare products or a light chemical peel is then applied.

There’s no downtime after Isolaz, though your skin may look red. “Most patients are a little pink after the treatment, and it usually resolves in less than half an hour,” says Dr. Nicole Hayre, a dermatologic surgeon in McLean, Virginia, in a RealSelf Q&A. 

According to data from a company-funded study submitted to the FDA, patients saw results—including a reduction in redness and flattening of blemishes—within 24 to 48 hours of an Isolaz treatment. Company studies also noted a significant decrease in oil production and the number of acne lesions.

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Pros

  • The procedure is quick and painless.
  • You’ll get a temporary reduction in pore size after each treatment.
  • Isolaz won’t dry out your skin, like other popular acne treatments.
  • A series of Isolaz sessions can provide results for patients who haven’t responded to other acne treatments.

Cons

  • Multiple treatments are necessary to get a significant improvement in acne.
  • If you have severe cystic acne, you may not be a candidate.
  • You may experience a brief acne flare after each treatment.
  • The treatment is not safe, if you have used isotretinoin (the oral acne medication formerly known as Accutane) within the past six months.

Your price will depend on your provider’s experience level, their practice location, the number of areas you have treated, and the total number of treatments you need. 

Many providers offer package discounts, if you buy a series of treatments up front. 

Because the procedure is considered cosmetic, it’s not typically covered by health insurance.

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Updated June 13, 2023

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