If you've ever had a case of acne, you've probably wished that rather than making a trek to your dermatologist you could grab a magic wand that would immediately whisk the pimples and pustules away, revealing clear, glowing skin. That dream is one step closer to reality, according to a January 16 article from BlackEnterprise.com, which announces the arrival of a hand-held device that banishes mild to moderate breakouts.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently gave Therative, a medical device company with offices in San Francisco and Livermore, CA, the go-ahead to market ThermaClear, the company's acne management device. ThermaClear is based on technology similar to laser treatments dermatologists currently use for acne and would allow patients to treat themselves with a similarly effective procedure in the comfort of their homes.

"The FDA has cleared the way for us to bring our device to market, and we intend to change the way people treat acne with our unique approach and ground-breaking technology," said Peter Scocimara, CEO of Therative, in the BlackEnterprise.com article.

Dr. Wally Buch of Band of Angels, a Silicon Valley-based organization of current and former high-tech executives who fund and advise startups, also commented on the value of ThermaClear in the article. "Therative has adapted a unique technology that previously required a doctor's office visit and redesigned it for personal and home use," he said. "Controlled clinical studies have proven that this new device delivers a significant improvement in the treatment of acne. We are confident that ThermaClear will set a new standard for treating mild-to-moderate acne and we are very excited about the company's potential."

Therative's philosophy is to translate complex medical procedures into products that any consumer can use safely and effectively, the article noted. ThermaClear, Therative's first product, fights acne on clean, dry skin with HEAT-heat-enabled acne treatment, according to the ThermaClear Web site. This process, which uses proprietary Thermal Pulse Technology, attacks breakouts with a powerful, but safe pulse of heat "deep beneath your skin, where bacteria can thrive," the product Web site stated. The heat neutralizes acne bacteria, which eliminates pimples where they start. The device was found in an FDA-reviewed clinical study to heal pimples after they emerged in less than half the time it takes for pimples to go away on their own.

At nearly five inches long and a little over two inches wide, ThermaClear is only slightly larger than an iPod Nano. Two AA alkaline batteries power the device. It has two temperature modes: low and high, and has a long-life treatment tip that is replaceable. A protective cap covers the device's treatment tip when not in use. It is designed to stand upright, enabling it to take up little space on a bathroom counter or shelf, noted the technical specifications on the ThermaClear Web site. It charges in as little as five seconds, has an automatic shut-off feature, and alerts you when batteries are low.