Dual-Wavelength Laser Guide
ADVATx (ADVALight) Laser: What to Know Before Treatment
ADVATx is a non-ablative laser with two wavelengths: 589 nm yellow light and 1319 nm infrared light. It can treat redness, active acne, selected pigment concerns, fine lines and acne scars with little planned downtime. The evidence is stronger for some uses than others.
ADVATx is FDA-cleared, not FDA-approved, for a broad group of dermatologic uses. Its 589 nm wavelength is cleared for vascular lesions, inflammatory acne, scars, selected wrinkles and benign pigmented lesions. Its 1319 nm wavelength is cleared for fine lines, atrophic acne scars and mild to moderate inflammatory acne.
Important correction:
Melasma is not specifically listed in the current ADVATx FDA 510(k) indication language. It should not be described as a specific FDA-cleared ADVATx indication.
ADVATx is not a catch-all “rejuvenation” laser. It uses two wavelengths with different targets. The 589 nm beam is mainly useful for vascular color and selected inflammatory or pigment concerns. The 1319 nm wavelength reaches deeper water-containing tissue and is used for acne, acne-scar and wrinkle applications.
What Is ADVATx, and Is ADVALight the Same Thing?
ADVATx is the current name of the dual-wavelength platform made by Advalight. Skin Works and some older materials also use the name ADVALight. Patients searching either name are generally referring to the same 589 nm and 1319 nm platform.
The system is solid-state. The 589 nm yellow wavelength is generated through the device’s optical system, while 1319 nm is delivered as a deeper infrared wavelength. A provider can use one or both wavelengths depending on the concern.
That distinction matters. A visible vessel, active acne, an acne scar and fine lines are different targets. They do not need the same settings simply because the same machine can treat them.
What Is ADVATx Actually FDA-Cleared to Treat?
The current FDA 510(k) summary, K250189, lists many uses. The wording matters. “FDA-cleared” is the accurate term. It should not be changed to “FDA-approved.”
| Wavelength | Examples of FDA-cleared uses | Practical meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 589 nm | Rosacea, facial and leg telangiectasia, cherry angiomas, port-wine stains, hemangiomas, venous lakes, inflammatory acne, scars, striae, selected wrinkles and benign pigmented lesions | The vascular and yellow-light side of the platform, with additional dermatologic uses. |
| 1319 nm | Fine lines and wrinkles, atrophic acne scars, mild and moderate inflammatory acne | A deeper thermal wavelength used for acne, texture and collagen-related goals. |
Does ADVATx Work for Acne?
Acne is one of the better-studied uses of the 589/1319 nm combination.
A 2025 randomized split-face trial included 18 adults with mild to moderate inflammatory acne. Everyone used 2.5% benzoyl peroxide on the full face. One side also received four ADVATx treatments every two weeks. At the three-month follow-up, inflammatory lesion counts fell by 46% on the laser-plus-benzoyl-peroxide side, compared with 29% on the benzoyl-peroxide-only side. No serious adverse events occurred.
The study was small, so the result should not be overstated. It supports ADVATx as an add-on to standard acne care. It does not show that laser should replace medication or a full acne plan.
A smaller 2019 split-face study also found improvement after four sessions in patients with moderate to severe facial acne. That trial included only nine patients, so it adds support but does not settle every question.
For Skin Works treatment details, see our laser acne treatment page.
What About Acne Redness?
The 589 nm wavelength is well suited to vascular color because hemoglobin absorbs yellow light.
A 2026 randomized split-face study enrolled 30 patients with acne-related erythema. One side received six 589/1319 nm laser sessions. The other side used topical aloe vera gel. Both sides improved. The laser side improved faster early in the study, but at eight weeks after the last session the response rates were similar, about 72% for laser and 69% for aloe vera. Average laser pain was low at 1.52 out of 10, and no serious adverse events were reported.
This is a useful reminder that “effective” does not necessarily mean dramatically superior to every alternative. The laser gave a faster early response in this study, but the final difference was modest.
Can ADVATx Treat Rosacea and Visible Vessels?
The 589 nm wavelength is FDA-cleared for rosacea and several benign vascular lesions, including facial telangiectasia and cherry angiomas.
Patients often compare ADVATx with Vbeam. They are not the same device. Vbeam is a pulsed dye laser. ADVATx is a solid-state laser. Both can target hemoglobin, but they use different pulse designs and settings.
For isolated vessels or persistent redness, the useful question is not which machine sounds newer. It is whether the wavelength, pulse pattern and treatment settings match the vessel being treated.
Does ADVATx Treat Pigmentation or Melasma?
The 589 nm wavelength is FDA-cleared for benign pigmented lesions. That does not make every type of hyperpigmentation an ideal target.
Melasma needs special care. It often comes back and can worsen with light, heat and skin irritation. Melasma is not specifically named in the current ADVATx FDA indication list. Patients with melasma should first be assessed for sun protection, visible-light protection, topical treatment and other factors before any laser plan is chosen.
If the main concern is sun spots or uneven tone, our skin brightening guide compares current options.
What Can ADVATx Do for Acne Scars?
The 1319 nm wavelength is FDA-cleared for atrophic acne scars. Because ADVATx is non-ablative, it can be attractive when a patient wants less recovery.
It should not be presented as equivalent to fractional CO₂ for every scar. Rolling, boxcar and ice-pick scars behave differently. Some patients need subcision, RF microneedling, TCA CROSS, fractional resurfacing or a combination plan.
For scar-specific choices, see our acne scar treatment guide.
What Does Treatment Feel Like, and What Is the Downtime?
ADVATx is non-ablative, so recovery is usually lighter than CO₂ or fully ablative Erbium resurfacing.
Patients may feel warmth, tingling or brief snapping sensations. Temporary redness, warmth or mild swelling can occur. Published acne studies reported low to moderate discomfort and no serious adverse events. The manufacturer describes little to no social downtime for many protocols.
That should not be turned into a promise of “zero downtime.” Skin response varies with the area, settings, skin type and treatment goal.
How Many ADVATx Sessions Do You Need?
There is no universal evidence-based number.
The 2025 inflammatory-acne trial used four sessions every two weeks. The 2026 acne-erythema trial used six sessions. Vascular lesions, scars and pigment concerns may need different schedules.
A three- or four-treatment series may be a reasonable starting plan for some cosmetic goals, but it should not be advertised as the number everyone needs. Response should guide the series.
Is ADVATx Safe for Darker Skin?
The manufacturer states that ADVATx is designed for Fitzpatrick skin types I through V. In the 2025 acne trial, all 18 patients had skin types III, IV or V.
That does not mean every setting is safe for every person. Darker skin contains more melanin, so post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and unwanted pigment change still need to be considered. Settings should be adjusted to skin type, recent sun exposure and the condition being treated.
ADVATx vs. IPL, Vbeam, Pico and CO₂
| Technology | Often used for | Main difference |
|---|---|---|
| ADVATx | Redness, vascular concerns, inflammatory acne, selected pigment, mild scars and fine lines | Dual 589/1319 nm non-ablative platform |
| Vbeam / PDL | Many vascular lesions and redness concerns | Pulsed dye laser with a long vascular-treatment history |
| IPL | Broad superficial redness and sun-related pigmentation | Filtered intense pulsed light, not a laser |
| Pico laser | Selected pigment and tattoo ink | Ultrashort pulses designed around pigment disruption |
| Fractional CO₂ | Deeper texture, acne scars, wrinkles and resurfacing | Ablative resurfacing with substantially more recovery |
How Much Does ADVATx Cost at Skin Works?
Current standard Skin Works pricing in Torrance, as of September 2026, is shown below.
| Treatment area | Current standard price |
|---|---|
| Face | $550 |
| Lower face | $350 |
| Neck | $550 |
| Face + neck | $975 |
| Chest | $750 |
| Hands | $350 |
| Spot treatment | $280 |
| Half back | $1,000 |
| Full back | $2,000 |
Pricing can change. The best treatment area is not always the same as the area a patient first asks to book. A provider should confirm that ADVATx is the right technology before a series is purchased.
What Should You Ask Before Booking?
Ask what is being treated, which wavelength will be used, whether both are needed, how many sessions are realistic, what your skin may look like afterward, and what the next option would be if results are limited.
For acne, ask whether laser is being used alongside an acne regimen or instead of one. For scars, ask what scar type you have. For redness, ask whether the target is diffuse flushing, rosacea, telangiectasia or a discrete vascular lesion.
ADVATx is versatile, but versatility is not a reason to use it for everything. The best result comes from matching wavelength, settings and treatment depth to the actual problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ADVATx the same as ADVALight?
ADVATx is the current name of the Advalight dual-wavelength platform. Skin Works and older materials may still use ADVALight when referring to the same 589 nm and 1319 nm technology.
Is ADVATx FDA-approved?
The accurate term is FDA-cleared. ADVATx is a Class II laser device cleared through the 510(k) pathway for multiple dermatologic indications.
Does ADVATx treat rosacea?
Yes. The 589 nm wavelength is FDA-cleared for rosacea and several other benign vascular lesions. Individual results depend on diagnosis, severity, settings and skin type.
Does ADVATx help active acne?
Yes, it can. Randomized studies support the 589/1319 nm combination as an adjunct for inflammatory acne. It should not automatically replace standard acne treatment.
Does ADVATx help acne scars?
The 1319 nm wavelength is FDA-cleared for atrophic acne scars. Deeper scars may need fractional resurfacing, RF microneedling, subcision or other scar-specific treatment.
Does ADVATx treat melasma?
Melasma is not specifically named in the current FDA-cleared indication list. Selected laser use may still be discussed, but melasma needs a broader pigment plan and can worsen with heat or inflammation.
How much downtime does ADVATx have?
Most protocols have little planned downtime. Temporary redness, warmth or mild swelling can occur. More aggressive settings or sensitive skin can produce a stronger reaction.
Sources & Medical References
- U.S. FDA 510(k) Summary: ADVATx K250189
- 2025 randomized trial: 589/1319 nm laser plus benzoyl peroxide for inflammatory acne
- 2026 randomized trial: 589/1319 nm laser for acne erythema
- 2019 prospective split-face study: 589/1319 nm laser for facial acne
- Advalight: ADVATx dual-wavelength technology and specifications
This article is educational and does not replace an in-person evaluation. Device clearance, study results and manufacturer claims do not guarantee the same outcome for every patient. Treatment settings and candidacy should be individualized.