From Acne to Pigment: Cutera Experts Map Out the 2026 Laser Aesthetics Landscape

In 2026, laser aesthetics will be less about a single treatment approach and more about treatment pathways built around complementary technologies and a customised patient journey driven by a patient’s skin concerns, from acne and texture to tone and pigmentation. To explore how this shift is unfolding in clinical practice, we spoke with members of the Cutera® Key Opinion Leader (KOL) faculty about how they are integrating energy-based devices into comprehensive treatment plans.

Energy-based acne management: a new patient conversation For Dr Nestor Demosthenous, AviClear® introduces an energy-based treatment option for mild to severe inflammatory acne by targeting the overactive, oil-producing sebaceous glands. In his clinic, AviClear® is positioned as a treatment series alongside skincare, lifestyle support, and, when indicated, adjunctive clinician-directed measures. Rather than promising immediate transformation, he emphasises progressive improvement over several months and
reinforces that laser treatment is one component of a broader management plan.

The defining trend for 2026 is choice. Acne patients are increasingly seeking alternative treatment options. AviClear® offers a localised, non-invasive approach with minimal downtime—an option patients
are actively choosing.

CO2 around the eyes: surgical versus non-surgical pathways
When it comes to the periorbital rejuvenation, Dr Rishi Mandavia sees 2026 as the year patients truly understand there is a spectrum between topicals and the operating theatre, and sitting powerfully in
the middle is CO2 resurfacing with SecretTM PRO. He uses SecretTM PRO CO2 as a non-surgical way to address crepiness, etched lines, and texture around the eyes. Rather than claiming it replaces surgery, he presents it as a skin-focused alternative that can complement or delay surgical intervention.

Patients are counselled about downtime, aftercare, and realistic goals. The trend, he notes, is towards more personalised “eye plans” where fractional CO2 is taking centre stage. Ablative vs non-ablative: Laser GenesisTM and long-term skin health “Laser GenesisTM is the most popular non-injectable treatment in my
clinic by volume, and often serves as a patient’s first step into their aesthetic journey,” states Dr Ben Taylor-Davies.

This non-ablative, micropulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG treatment induces collagen stimulation via controlled dermal heating (45–60°C) without epidermal disruption. Bulk heating stimulates fibroblast activity and neocollagenesis, while reducing diffuse erythema. The result is measurable improvement in texture, pore appearance, and background redness, frequently described by patients as more than
a simple glow.

Using Cutera’s xeo®+, Dr Taylor-Davies incorporates Laser GenesisTM as the foundation of ongoing skin health programmes. Its repeatability and absence of social downtime make it well suited to patients before more intensive ablative treatment plans. When greater tissue remodelling is desired, fractional CO2
resurfacing via SecretTM PRO is introduced. However, he notes that non-ablative treatments like Laser GenesisTM are the backbone of modern practices, providing sustained patient engagement
throughout the year.

Glass skin with less downtime: precision treatments for modern lifestyles

Dr Tatiana Mandavia identifies the 2026 trend as patients seeking glass skin outcomes with minimal downtime. SecretTM DUO’s fractional
1540 nm erbium glass laser, paired with RF microneedling creates controlled microthermal zones in the dermis while preserving the epidermal barrier.

This non-ablative fractional approach enables precise tissue interaction that supports collagen remodelling and skin surface refinement with little to no downtime. Dr Mandavia notes that the erbium glass laser’s ability to deliver customisable energy on all skin types allows practitioners to tailor protocols from superficial
refreshment through to deeper dermal restructuring.

In 2026 Dr Tatiana’s patients value treatments that integrate seamlessly into busy schedules while delivering the clear, luminous complexion they associate with “glass skin” aesthetics.

Picosecond precision for pigmentation and skin of colour

Pigmentation management – particularly in skin of colour – remains an area where technology selection is critical. Dr Tego Kirnon-Jackman utilises Enlighten® SR, which combines dual wavelengths with ultra-short picosecond pulses to deliver controlled pigment fragmentation while supporting overall skin quality improvement. For diverse patient populations, this enables more nuanced discussions around melanin-related concerns, including solar lentigines, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and mixed-pattern pigment presentations.

Her protocol emphasises cautious parameter selection, appropriate patch testing, and close monitoring of skin response. Treatments are often combined with pigment-conscious skincare and, for optimal results, Laser GenesisTM for treating pigmentation whilst also inducing dermal remodelling for skin rejuvenation.
The 2026 direction is clear: movement away from uniform pigment strategies toward carefully constructed protocols that respect individual skin biology.

Mapping the 2026 laser landscape
Collectively, the Cutera® KOL insights illustrate a broader and more adaptable laser ecosystem:

• Sebum-targeted 1726 nm energy for acne management
• Fractional CO2 as a non-surgical periorbital intervention
• Non-ablative Laser GenesisTM sustaining long-term skin health demand
• Erbium glass 1540 nm combined with RF for glass skin outcomes
• Picosecond precision for pigment, particularly in skin of colour

For clinics, the opportunity lies in curating these technologies into coherent, realistic pathways rather than isolated procedures. For patients, it offers something increasingly valuable: structured progression from acne to pigment, from texture refinement to tone optimisation, delivered through tailored laser strategies aligned with individual goals and lifestyles.