A 1726-nm laser (AviClear) for painful lumps and abscesses in hidradenitis suppurativa

You may qualify if

• Adults 18-60 years; any sex; Fitzpatrick I-VI.
• Clinical HS, Hurley I-II (Investigator confirmed).
• At least one inflammatory nodule in a paired, bilateral region (axilla, groin/inguinal, inframammary, inner thigh, or buttock) within 4 weeks prior to baseline.
• Able to read/speak English/Chinese/Spanish/Vietnamese and sign consent.
• Willing/able to comply with visits, pre/post-care, standardized photography.
• Agree to avoid new HS procedures/therapies in study areas through Week 24.
• No laser contraindication; agrees to shave/clip hair before treatments.
• Optional translational cohort: willing to undergo 4-mm punch biopsy at baseline and Week 16 from the randomized regions (separate consent).

You can't join if

• Hurley III (extensive sinus tracts).
• No qualifying nodule(s) in paired bilateral regions in past 4 weeks.
• Prior device/procedure to target areas within 3 months (chemical peel, dermabrasion, microneedling/RF, other lasers/LBB, cryo/chemo-destruction)
• Had Botulinum toxin in target areas within 3 months or planned during study.
• Had systemic retinoid (e.g., isotretinoin) within 3 months.
• Photosensitizing meds that, in PI's judgment, materially increase risk and cannot be held.
• Pregnancy/breastfeeding/plans to conceive during study.
• Active infection, still healing wounds (investigator judgment) in target areas.
• History of keloids/hypertrophic scars, radiation to target areas, malignancy in target areas, diagnosed immunodeficiency, uncontrolled coagulation disorder or therapeutic anticoagulation that cannot be safely managed.
• Excessive tanning or inability to avoid tanning.
• Any condition (medical/mental) or prisoner status that in PI's opinion compromises safety or adherence.