Yes, Yellow Lasers can help with active acne. They calm the angry, red inflammation of active breakouts. For red post-acne marks, the Quanta 585nm is often the preferred choice to seal the stronger blood vessels.
March 20, 2026
If you are dealing with persistent facial flushing, rosacea or stubborn post-inflammatory erythema/redness (PIE), you have likely seen Yellow Laser as a recommended treatment option. While many clinics in Singapore still use the 577nm wavelength, a more efficient technology has emerged: the 585nm wavelength. For patients looking to start treatment, it is vital to understand the technology behind the difference between 577nm and 585nm as the results can be different. At Astria, we utilize the 585nm Yellow Laser due to its ability to tackle deep-seated redness.
Redness, also known as erythema, is primarily the result of increased blood flow to the surface skin layer. It is typically triggered by a process where the walls of your blood vessels relax, allowing the vessels to expand. This brings a larger volume of blood closer to the skins surface.
When Yellow Laser passes through your skin, it targets oxyhaemoglobin (the protein that makes your blood red) inside the blood vessels. The heat then causes the walls of the blood vessels to stick together and close. Once the vessel is sealed, blood cannot flow through it, which makes the redness disappear.
After the session, your body’s natural cleaning system clears the tiny bits of the sealed-off vessels over a few days. The result is a clearer, calmer and more even complexion. It is also important to note that sealing off these surface blood vessels will not cause any harm to your skin as your body has many other bigger and deeper blood vessels that help maintain adequate blood supply.
Yellow laser technology is commonly used for:
When operated by a trained doctor, it delivers gentle, precise energy to reduce redness and calm the skin.
Think of a laser’s wavelength as how deep into the skin it can travel to. The longer the
wavelength the deeper the laser will travel into the skin.
| Wavelength Type | How Deep It Goes | Best For Treating |
|---|---|---|
| Shorter wavelengths | Reaches superficial layers of the skin | Surface redness. Fine, tiny vessels. Superficial pigmentation |
| Longer wavelengths | Reach slightly deeper layers of the skin | Deeper facial vessels. Long-standing redness. Flushing |
Different wavelengths also have different absorption levels by oxyhaemoglobin as demonstrated by the graph below. The higher the absorption coefficient the more the laser beam is absorbed by its target. For oxyhaemoglobin, the 585nm is more well absorbed compared to the 577nm wavelength which means there is better sealing of the blood vessels.
When it comes to Yellow Lasers the two most common machines you’ll see in the market are the 577nm ProYellow and the 585nm Quanta Yellow Laser. The key differences between them are the wavelength of the laser and the technology behind them. Below is a table summarizing differences between the two machines.
| FEATURE | 577NM PROYELLOW | QUANTA 585NM |
|---|---|---|
| Depth Targeted | Medium (reaches surface redness) | Deep (reaches deeper vessels) |
| Peak Power | Moderate | Higher |
| Bruising Risk | Higher at effective energy levels | Lower |
| Risk Of Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation | Low | Lower due to lesser melanin absorption |
Although both machines can target redness and blood vessels, the difference in wavelength and technology results in differing effectiveness in tackling your skin concerns. The table below shows various skin concerns and which machine is more effective in targeting those concerns.
| Skin Concern | 577nm ProYellow | Quanta 585nm | Head to Head Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface redness | Effective | Effective | Both can target superficial vessels well |
| Deeper facial vessels | Effective | More Effective | Quanta 585nm penetrates deeper |
| Long-standing redness | Effective | More Effective | Quanta 585nm reaches deeper blood vessels, also seals better |
| Pigmentation | More Effective | Effective | 577nm wavelength is slightly better absorbed by melanin compared to 585nm |
| Post-acne red marks (PIE) | Effective | “Effective | Both help reduce blood flow to the acne marks |
| Rosacea | Effective for milder cases | More Effective | Consistent energy and depth advantage |
While the Quanta 585nm is known for treating redness, many Singaporean patients choose it for the boost in overall skin quality as well. It doesn’t just clear blood vessels; it polishes the skin for a luminous finish.
Even if you don’t see obvious veins, your skin contains tiny, small blood vessels that create a diffusely red, flushed, “muddy” or tired look. By calming this subtle redness, the Quanta 585nm makes the skin appear significantly brighter creating that coveted Korean “Glass Skin” glow.
The gentle heat from the laser encourages your skin to produce new collagen. After a few sessions, patients often notice:
Chronic flushing often makes skin feel raw or reactive. By stabilizing overactive blood flow, this laser helps “calm” the skin, making it less prone to flare-ups especially given the humidity and pollution in Singapore.
Some older Yellow Lasers are diode-based, which loses power when the machine gets hot. This leads to inconsistent results and outcomes at times. The Quanta 585nm does not overheat during the treatment hence delivers consistent power every time. Clinics move to the 585nm because it offers more predictable results for every patient.
Doctors used to face a dilemma with the 577nm: use low power (which takes more sessions to achieve results) or use higher power (which works faster but can cause bruising). The Quanta 585nm solves this. Its unique 585nm wavelength allows doctors to use high, effective energy to seal vessels without causing bruising. Clinics prefer it because patients can return to work immediately with minimal downtime.
Many patients in Singapore suffer from deep-seated redness that keeps coming back. Doctors have found that while the 577nm cleans up the surface, the Quanta 585nm penetrates deeper layers to reach vessels that older 577nm lasers often miss.
Asian skin has higher concentration of melanin in the skin surface. If a laser is absorbed too strongly by melanin (pigment cells), it can cause overheating, leading to burns or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). The 585nm wavelength has a lower absorption rate in melanin compared to other lasers. This means the laser targets only the red vessels making it the safest choice for Singaporean patients.
The Quanta 585nm Yellow Laser is more than just an upgrade, it represents a fundamental shift in how redness and sensitive-skin conditions can be treated in Singapore. It offers more precision, more consistency, and more visible results than traditional 577nm yellow lasers.
The 585nm wavelength reduces redness that dulls the complexion. By clearing blood vessels and gently stimulating collagen, it makes your skin clearer and more luminous. This creates the signature “glass skin glow” without makeup.
Most patients describe it as tolerable with a warm sensation. In addition, at Astria, we use medical grade numbing cream to further enhance your comfort during the treatment. Downtime is also minimal. There might be some slight redness or flushing but it usually disappears within a few hours to a day. Most patients resume their normal activity right after.
Yes, Yellow Lasers can help with active acne. They calm the angry, red inflammation of active breakouts. For red post-acne marks, the Quanta 585nm is often the preferred choice to seal the stronger blood vessels.
No, your skin will not lose any nutrients. This is a common misconception as your face has multiple networks of blood vessels. By sealing redundant surface vessels, the body naturally reroutes blood flow to still continuously supply the skin with nutrients with the deeper vessels.
Medically Reviewed by
AESTHETIC DOCTOR
Dr. Marcus earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from Newcastle University in the United Kingdom. His early medical training included rigorous rotations across multiple specialties in both the UK and Singapore, providing him with a strong foundation in patient care and clinical excellence…
Whether you have questions about our treatments, want to book an appointment, or simply like to learn more about how we can help you achieve your skin goals, our team is here to assist!
Astria Medical Aesthetics believes in a sustainable aesthetic journey. Beauty can be a continuous, timeless goal.
51 Bras Basah Road, #04-06A
Lazada One, Singapore 189554
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Monday – Friday
10.30am – 8.30pm
(Last appointment: 7.30pm)
Saturday
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(Last appointment: 6pm)
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