Laser Genesis - Is It the Same As Photo Facial or IPL?

Laser Genesis is a Yag laser with a specific wave length used for non-ablative skin rejuvenation and is claimed to improve skin texture, reduce wrinkles, reduce acne scars, and diminish pore size. Laser Genesis is touted as a "lunchtime procedure" by the manufacturer, Cutera. IPL stands for intense pulse light of many wavelengths and is more of a superficial treatment.

The easiest answer is "no."  Lasergenesis is a very unique treatment only available on the Cutera XEO platform.  It uses a tried and true Nd:YAG 1064nm laser, but fires at an extremely fast pulse rate.  Lasergenesis is a (true) no downtime and painless procedure that improves skin texture, redness leaves patients with glowing skin.  It does not treat the same skin color changes as IPL which is more directed at brown spots and sun damage.  We love combining the procedures to help improve all skin color and texture and create long lasting anti-aging.

Laser genesis as the name implies is a laser treatment. IPL  as its name implies is a light based treatment.  IPL is a more superficial treatment and the laser treats the skin at a deeper level. That is why the 2 of these treatments work well together.The 2 treatments can be used in combination very successfully for the treatment of Rosacea. The combination can also be used to  control the colour and texture of the skin  during the same treatment session.

Laser Genesis is a 1064 nm Nd:Yag laser that stimulates collage, reduces pore size and improves texture with no downtime. It is a comfortable treatment with no downtime and is popular for celebrities right before the Oscars in our experience. It does improve pigmentation and acne to a small degree. The IPL/Photofacial is not a laser but a coherent light source (like a strong flashlamp), it improves pigmentation and has a small relative social downtime. IPL is not always safe for all skin types but laser genesis is safe for all skin types. IPL has more potential risks and side effects than genesis. My favorite treatment is a combination of Excel V and laser genesis as a complete and much more effective alternative to IPL.

Laser Genesis does not affect the surface of the skin and can be used very successfully in patients with darker skin. Photo Facial or IPL work on the skin’s surface and therefore sun exposure, skin type, as well as the skin’s condition all have to be reviewed.

IPL stands for INTENSE PULSE LIGHT treatments. These are light-based treatments that revitalize skin by targeting imperfections such as sun spots or facial redness. .These are great options for Rosacea, Acne, sun-damaged skin and signs of aging with wrinkles . Cutera's IPL is called the Limelight  treatment.Laser Genesis is Cutera's laser  that specifically treats the deeper surfaces of the skin with a non-ablative method. This is often referred to as the "lunch-time" laser treatment, as there is NO down-time after the treatment. Both treatments correct signs of aging and help to improve overall skin complexion and  reduce pore size. We prefer to do both treatments ---even simultaneously!

Laser Genesis is the name of a "laser facial" procedure performed with a long-pulsed Nd:YAG true laser. With no downtime, this is a popular treatment that when performed in series can help reduce facial redness, shrink pore size, smooth facial texture, and even help not only acne breakouts, but scarring as well. Supposedly it also stimulates new collagen building over time, which kicks in several months after the procedure. It is not as aggressive, painful, or expensive as Fraxel, and makes it easy to enjoy noticeable results. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL, Photofacial, BBL) is also a light-based "facial" treatment performed for many similar reasons, but is more effective for color than texture. Not a true laser, IPL uses a band, or spectrum, of filtered wavelengths against the skin all at once to target brown and red sun damage, rosacea, and broken blood vessels, and can also help acne breakouts as well. Though texture is not really affected, sun damage may see great improvement. IPL also has no downtime and can be performed in the middle of a workday. To see ideal results for both procedures, a series of treatments is recommended, but each may also be performed in a single treatment.

Laser Genesis is a 1064 Nd:YAG laser that is used to stimulate the production of collagen from the deeper layers of the skin to help reduce the size of pores and reduce redness due to Rosacea and dilated blood vessels. Because it is a long-wavelength laser, it can safely treat all skin types. IPL/Photofacial is Iight-based, not laser-based and targets the epidermis, or topmost layer of the skin to reduce dilated blood vessels, redness, and discoloration that may occur from sun spots, etc. It can also be used in conjuction with stimulatory chemicals such Levulan for enhanced effect in photodynamic therapy. Because this treatment targets the most superficial layer of the skin, it can not be used to safely treat some of the darker skin types. Both Laser Genesis and IPL/Photofacial require several treatments to see maximal improvment.