1064 nm Laser Facial Guide
Laser Genesis vs. Laser Facials: Cost, Results & Differences
Laser Genesis is a specific Cutera 1064 nm Nd:YAG treatment. Other 1064 nm Nd:YAG platforms can target many of the same concerns, but they are not automatically the same branded treatment. Here is how the technology, results, downtime and costs actually compare.
Laser Genesis is Cutera’s branded nonablative 1064 nm Nd:YAG treatment, not a generic name for every 1064 nm laser facial. Skin Works currently uses the Lutronic Clarity platform for its Signature Laser Facial. The treatments share some technology and treatment goals, but they use different devices and should be identified accurately.
At Skin Works:
The Signature Laser Facial uses the Lutronic Clarity platform for low-downtime treatment of selected redness, visible vessels, early texture changes and skin-quality concerns.
“Laser facial” is a broad consumer term, not one standardized medical procedure. Two treatments can both use 1064 nm Nd:YAG energy and still differ in pulse duration, spot size, fluence, cooling, treatment technique and FDA-cleared indications. Those details matter more than the marketing name alone.
What Is Laser Genesis?
Laser Genesis is Cutera’s trademarked nonablative skin-rejuvenation treatment.
Cutera describes the treatment as using a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser with microsecond pulses to create controlled dermal heating. The company’s current treatment information lists applications including diffuse redness, rosacea, selected vascular concerns, fine lines, wrinkles, scars and skin-quality improvement.
Published clinical research on microsecond 1064 nm Nd:YAG treatment supports several of those mechanisms. A clinical study found histologic evidence of new collagen formation after treatment and improvement in preexisting facial erythema. Other prospective studies have reported improvement in enlarged pores and skin texture after repeated 1064 nm Nd:YAG treatment.
That does not mean every 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser is Laser Genesis. The wavelength is only one part of the treatment.
Is Every 1064 nm Laser Facial the Same as Laser Genesis?
No.
A 1064 nm wavelength describes the light being generated. The actual treatment also depends on:
- the laser platform
- pulse duration
- fluence or energy density
- spot size
- pulse repetition rate
- cooling method
- number and speed of treatment passes
- the depth and tissue target
Cutera Laser Genesis traditionally uses microsecond pulse delivery on compatible Cutera systems.
The Lutronic Clarity family is a separate dual-wavelength laser platform combining 755 nm Alexandrite and 1064 nm Nd:YAG energy. FDA clearance for the Clarity II 1064 nm system includes vascular lesions, selected benign pigmented lesions and wrinkles, among other indications.
What Does Skin Works Use?
Skin Works’ current Signature Laser Facial is performed with the Lutronic Clarity platform.
The 1064 nm Nd:YAG component can be selected when the treatment goal involves concerns such as diffuse redness, selected visible vessels, early lines or gradual skin-quality improvement.
Skin Works also offers a separate Hollywood Carbon Laser Facial using the Rohrer PicoLazer. That treatment uses a different laser platform and a carbon layer and is more commonly selected when oiliness, congestion, dullness and surface refreshment are higher priorities.
Neither treatment should be confused with deeper ablative or fractional resurfacing such as fractional CO2 or Erbium resurfacing.
What Can a 1064 nm Nd:YAG Laser Facial Improve?
The most defensible uses depend on the specific platform and treatment settings.
| Concern | Where a low-downtime 1064 nm facial may fit | When another treatment may fit better |
|---|---|---|
| Diffuse redness | 1064 nm Nd:YAG energy can target selected vascular redness and visible vessels. | More defined vascular lesions may require a dedicated vascular protocol or another wavelength. |
| Visible pores | Clinical studies have reported reduced pore appearance after repeated 1064 nm Nd:YAG treatment. | Significant acne scarring may respond better to microneedling, RF microneedling or resurfacing. |
| Fine lines | Nonablative dermal heating can support gradual collagen remodeling. | Deeper etched wrinkles may require more intensive resurfacing or combination treatment. |
| Uneven texture | May provide gradual improvement with little planned downtime. | Deeper textural damage may require fractional treatment. |
| Active inflammatory acne | Some 1064 nm systems have acne-related indications or may be incorporated into selected treatment plans. | Moderate or severe acne often requires medical acne management rather than a cosmetic laser facial alone. |
| Brown spots or melasma | Some laser platforms have pigment indications, but the diagnosis matters. | Melasma can worsen with inappropriate energy treatment and should not be treated as a generic brown-spot problem. |
Does Laser Genesis Really Shrink Pores?
“Shrinking pores” is an oversimplification because pore size is influenced by sebaceous activity, skin elasticity, hair follicles and genetics.
There is, however, clinical evidence that 1064 nm Nd:YAG treatment can reduce the visible appearance of enlarged pores.
In a prospective study of 40 patients, several 1064 nm Nd:YAG treatment protocols produced statistically significant reductions in measured pore size and sebum levels compared with untreated skin after five sessions.
That is more accurate than promising that pores permanently close or disappear.
What About Redness and Rosacea?
1064 nm Nd:YAG lasers can target hemoglobin and are used for selected vascular lesions. Both Cutera’s Laser Genesis materials and FDA-cleared Lutronic Clarity indications include vascular applications such as telangiectasia and rosacea-related vascular concerns.
But facial redness is not one diagnosis.
Persistent redness can come from rosacea, visible vessels, inflammation, acne, dermatitis, recent procedures or other causes. A provider should identify the source before choosing wavelength and settings.
A mild flushed appearance may be appropriate for a low-downtime laser facial, while prominent vessels or significant rosacea may call for a more targeted vascular treatment plan.
Can a Laser Facial Treat Acne Scars?
This depends on what “scar” means.
A low-downtime 1064 nm treatment may help the appearance of redness associated with acne marks or provide gradual textural improvement. It should not be presented as equivalent to fractional resurfacing or RF microneedling for established atrophic acne scars.
Indented scars such as boxcar, rolling and ice-pick scars may require combinations involving acne-scar treatments such as subcision, microneedling, RF microneedling, TCA CROSS or fractional laser resurfacing depending on scar morphology.
The original article was too broad when it listed “acne scars and pitted texture” as though all laser facials treat them equally.
Are 1064 nm Laser Facials Safe for Darker Skin?
1064 nm Nd:YAG energy is absorbed less strongly by epidermal melanin than shorter wavelengths such as 755 nm Alexandrite. That can make 1064 nm treatment useful across a broader range of skin tones when appropriate settings are selected.
That does not make every treatment automatically safe for every patient.
Risk still depends on:
- Fitzpatrick skin type
- recent tanning or sun exposure
- history of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
- treatment fluence and pulse duration
- cooling
- the condition being treated
- previous procedures and medications
A current tan or recent significant sun exposure can change treatment timing even when a device can technically be used on darker skin.
How Much Downtime Is There?
Low-downtime 1064 nm laser facials are nonablative, meaning they do not intentionally remove the epidermal surface the way CO2 or Erbium resurfacing does.
Patients commonly return to normal activities the same day. Temporary warmth or pinkness can occur.
“No downtime” should not be interpreted as “no possible reaction.” Settings, treatment area, sensitivity and combination treatments can change recovery.
This distinction matters when treatment is scheduled immediately before a wedding, photography session or other important event. First-time patients should leave enough time to see how their skin responds.
How Many Treatments Are Needed?
There is no universal three-treatment or six-treatment rule.
Some patients choose one session for a short-term refresh. Concerns such as diffuse redness, visible pores or gradual collagen remodeling may be treated as a series.
Clinical studies of microsecond and quasi-long-pulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG rejuvenation have often used multiple sessions, including protocols of five treatments.
The number appropriate for one patient depends on the target, baseline severity, settings and response rather than a fixed package applied to everyone.
Laser Genesis vs. Carbon Laser Facial
These two treatments are often grouped together because both can involve little planned downtime, but they are technically different.
| Feature | 1064 nm Nd:YAG / Genesis-type facial | Hollywood Carbon Laser Facial |
|---|---|---|
| Primary approach | Controlled laser energy delivered to the skin and dermis | Laser treatment over a topical carbon layer |
| Skin Works platform | Lutronic Clarity | Rohrer PicoLazer |
| Often considered for | Redness, selected vessels, early lines and gradual texture support | Oil, congestion, surface buildup, dullness and visible pores |
| Ablative? | No | No |
| Typical recovery | Little planned downtime; transient pinkness or warmth possible | Little planned downtime; temporary sensitivity or redness possible |
Skin Works’ Laser Facials in Torrance page compares the current Signature and Carbon options in more detail.
Laser Facial vs. Laser Resurfacing
A laser facial and laser resurfacing should not be treated as interchangeable terms.
A low-downtime nonablative laser facial is generally selected for gradual changes in redness, tone and early texture.
Fractional CO2 or Erbium resurfacing intentionally creates a more substantial controlled injury to drive remodeling and can address deeper photoaging, wrinkles or scars. Those treatments also involve more recovery and a different risk profile.
If the main concern is deep acne scarring, etched lines or substantial sun damage, choosing the gentlest available laser simply because it has less downtime can result in a treatment that is not strong enough for the problem.
How Much Does a Laser Facial Cost at Skin Works?
The current September 2026 Skin Works price list uses the name SW Signature Laser Facial for the Lutronic Clarity treatment.
| Treatment area | Current standard price |
|---|---|
| Face | $300 |
| Neck | $300 |
| Décolleté | $400 |
| Face + Neck | $500 |
| Face + Neck + Décolleté | $800 |
These prices are for Skin Works’ Signature Laser Facial on the Lutronic platform. They should not be presented as a universal “Laser Genesis price” because Cutera Laser Genesis pricing varies by provider, device and location.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
A low-downtime laser facial may fit patients who want gradual improvement rather than aggressive resurfacing and whose concern matches the capabilities of the selected wavelength and device.
Potential reasons to consider treatment include:
- diffuse facial redness
- selected visible vessels
- visible pores
- mild uneven texture
- early fine lines
- dull-looking skin
- a preference for little planned downtime
Treatment may need to be postponed or modified with active infection, significant irritation, recent tanning, certain medications or recent procedures.
Pregnancy, pigment history, melasma, photosensitivity and previous laser reactions should also be discussed before treatment.
If your main problem is redness, pores, scars, pigment or wrinkles, those concerns first need to be identified correctly. Laser Genesis, Lutronic Clarity, PicoLazer, IPL, Erbium and CO2 are not interchangeable ways of doing the same facial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Skin Works’ Signature Laser Facial actually Cutera Laser Genesis?
No. Laser Genesis is Cutera’s branded treatment. Skin Works currently performs its Signature Laser Facial with the Lutronic Clarity platform. Both can use 1064 nm Nd:YAG energy for overlapping skin concerns, but they are different laser systems.
What wavelength does Laser Genesis use?
Cutera Laser Genesis uses a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser with microsecond pulse delivery.
What laser does Skin Works use for its Signature Laser Facial?
Skin Works uses the Lutronic Clarity platform, which combines 755 nm Alexandrite and 1064 nm Nd:YAG wavelengths. The provider selects wavelength and treatment settings according to the concern and skin characteristics.
Can Laser Genesis help redness?
Yes, 1064 nm Nd:YAG treatment can improve selected vascular redness and diffuse erythema. Redness has many causes, however, so diagnosis should come before treatment.
Does Laser Genesis shrink pores?
Clinical studies have shown reductions in the visible size of enlarged pores after repeated 1064 nm Nd:YAG treatments. It is more accurate to say the appearance of pores may improve than to say pores permanently close.
Does a laser facial treat acne scars?
It depends on the scar. A gentle laser facial may help redness and mild texture, but established atrophic scars often require microneedling, RF microneedling, subcision, TCA CROSS or fractional resurfacing.
How much downtime is there?
Most low-downtime 1064 nm laser facials do not require planned time away from normal activity. Temporary warmth or pinkness can occur, and recovery varies with settings and individual sensitivity.
How much does the Skin Works Signature Laser Facial cost?
Current standard pricing is $300 for the face, $300 for the neck, $400 for the décolleté, $500 for face and neck, and $800 for face, neck and décolleté.
Sources & Medical References
- Cutera: Laser Genesis Treatment Technology and Indications
- Lutronic: Clarity Dual-Wavelength Laser Platform
- FDA 510(k): Clarity II 755 nm and 1064 nm Laser System
- Clinical Trial: 1064 nm Nd:YAG Erythema Reduction and New Collagen Formation
- Prospective Study: 1064 nm Nd:YAG Treatment of Enlarged Facial Pores
- Split-Face Study: Quasi-Long-Pulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG for Facial Wrinkles and Pores
Laser Genesis is a Cutera trademark and refers to a specific branded treatment. Other 1064 nm Nd:YAG systems may share wavelengths or treatment goals but are separate devices with their own specifications and cleared indications. Treatment suitability depends on diagnosis, skin type, recent sun exposure, settings and medical history.