Trying Laser Genesis – Skin Rehab

This post is part of my Skin Rehab Series – check out the other posts here.

The next stage of my series of skin adventures brought me back to the skin clinic to try out the very fancy and futuristic-sounding Laser Genesis.

As the name suggests, Laser Genesis is an in-office laser skin treatment. This is probably the treatment I’ve been most excited for and is the real power player behind the results I’m hoping to achieve. Let’s dive right into what the company claims their laser can do for your skin:

Laser Genesis claims

Laser Genesis claims to produce some fantastic results after a series of fairly non-invasive treatments. Substantial scientific research has shown it to stimulate the production of new collagen and improve the tone, texture and appearance of skin.

Though it seems there’s something for everyone in this laser, it’s especially good in cases of:

• Rosacea
• Broken capillaries
• Redness
• Acne scars
• Scars
• Large pores
• Sun damage

You will apparently enjoy:

• Decreased redness
• Decreased pore size
• Improved skin texture
• Improved wrinkle appearance
• Decreased redness of scars
• Softening of scars
• Flattening of scars

Sounds pretty incredible, right?!

The science behind the laser: How it works

The Laser Genesis website claims that  “gently heating the upper dermis well below your skin’s surface” is the key to their results. I wanted to do a little more research into exactly what processes are behind the acclaimed benefits.

To be specific, the exact machine used in this treatment is a Cutera Nd:YAG 1064 nanometre non-ablative laser.

Many popular lasers, such as Fraxel, are designed to use lasers to induce high heat and cause micro-trauma to the surface and deep layers of the skin, triggering the healing process and collagen production. That’s why people look so crazy after they’ve had it done – it’s literally burned the top layer of their skin off!

However, Laser Genesis is non-ablative – meaning it has the ability to reach target temperatures beneath the skin without damaging the skin surface. This means good results take more sessions to achieve (often 4-6), but the risks, side effects, and downtime are far less than that of an ablative laser.

Laser Genesis’ wavelength of 1064 nanometres directs energy a certain distance into the skin to deliver heat and controlled “damage” to the blood vessels. This damage then signals to the skin’s natural repairing system to focus on those areas.

This action builds collagen over time that supports the skin to appear plump and smooth. The laser can be used to help flatten and lighten acne marks even other more severe kinds of scars. Blood vessels that are too many or too large and targeted more and are shrunk in size. This improves visible veins, capillaries and diffuse redness. A tighter collagen support system can reduce the appearance of pores than have become large over time (that’s right, the mythical pore-reducing qualities every product claims to have are actually possible). In these ways, Laser Genesis can improve skin conditions that your skin care routine cannot.

It’s also safe for all skin types and tones, unlike some other light treatments like IPL.

My experience & review

My Laser Genesis experience was short and sweet. The lovely nurse lay me down on the cushioned treatment table with my hair away in an attractive blue shower cap – if even a single strand gets in the path of the laser it will burn, and trust me it smells bad!

She began, as in the Hydrafacial I recently had, with a cleansing gel applied by hand followed by a warm cloth to wipe it away. After this, it was straight into lasering!

She pressed the laser head against my skin so I’d be used to the sensation if she inadvertently brushed against me. It was very VERY cold and felt like metal. This changes once she turned the machine on. My nurse described Laser Genesis to me as having a ‘hot rain’ sensation, but I’d describe it as ‘too close to a heater’. It felt like I was one inch away from getting a burn from a bonfire. Not painful, but a bit disconcerting. Around the outer perimeter of my face there was more of a stinging sensation, which felt a little as though I was getting tiny electric shocks or getting tiny bites from some sort of very hot ant. When the laser head touched my skin, the cold was quite shocking in comparison. It was all accompanied by a very repetitive cracking noise from the machine. I never had to stop the treatment but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t glad when it was over.

Results and thoughts

During the procedure, my face felt very warm. Immediately after, my skin felt a bit tight and dry – like I hadn’t moisturised that day or I had a mild sunburn. I had no sensitivity, redness, or pain whatsoever. I had my laser treatment followed directly by a peel, and I was still able to go straight to work and look totally normal. My sister commented that my forehead looked “super-smooth” and I have to agree.

In the weeks since, I’ve had very clear and calm looking skin. My pores seems reduced, and while I’ve not noticed an improvement in my fine lines as of yet I still have two more sessions to go. It’s a slow and steady process for sure.

The other thing to note about this treatment is the price. This may not be an affordable treatment for everyone. The cost varies depending upon your practitioner but expect to pay a few hundred dollars per visit. This is in part to pay for the extensive training the technician has gone through and huge outright cost of the laser machine and its maintenance.

This laser is a really interesting innovation and scientific development in skin care. I enjoyed my experience and can’t wait to finish the series of treatments. While I think that Laser Genesis and lasers in general aren’t integral to the average person’s skin treatment journey, for people who are suffering from really stubborn ‘irreversible’ issues like large pores and fine lines, it’s worth going to see your local skin clinic and giving it a try.