I Tried the Laser Genesis Treatment Celebrities Swear By

There may not be a fountain of youth, but laser treatments may be the next best thing. The category has seen its fair share of advancements and innovation over the last few decades. Now, there are various machines targeting nearly every skin-care concern under the sun, from wrinkles and fine lines to hyperpigmentation, acne, and rosacea, making them a top choice for celebrities and beauty devotees alike.

Still, many people aren't very well-versed in different lasers out there. There's Fraxel, for example, which is great for acne scars, deeper wrinkles, and sun damage; there's Clear & Brilliant for acne marks and pores; and then there's my new personal favorite, Laser Genesis.

I was lucky enough to try this treatment for the first time when I paid a visit to Dhaval G. Bhanusali, MD, FAAD, dermatologist and founder of Hudson Dermatology & Laser Surgery. Having worked with a slew of A-list clients, from Hailey Bieber to Martha Stewart (among many others), I put my full trust into Dr. Bhanusali's hands. When he recommended I try Laser Genesis, a noninvasive procedure designed to improve your skin's texture and tone by triggering new cell growth, I didn't think twice. After all, the treatment isn't called the "red carpet facial" for no reason.

Ahead, read about my full experience with Laser Genesis and learn if it's right for you.

Laser Genesis is a noninvasive laser procedure. It's known for being incredibly gentle and a great introductory treatment with short- and long-term results. "It's a laser using long pulse Nd:YAG (Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) to deliver pulses to the deeper layer of your skin," Dr. Bhanusali says.

The near-infrared wavelength of the laser can penetrate deeper into the skin than most treatments and delivers its benefits through heat. "Our goal is to increase the skin temperature and stimulate collagen synthesis."

Laser Genesis packs a myriad of benefits with little to no downtime. Dr. Bhanusali uses it for overall rejuvenation and explains it's effective at treating acne, erythema, and rosacea. "It also stimulates collagen, which is one of the best ways to slow down the formation of wrinkles," he says. "In the short term, it gives a nice, visible glow."

I'm no novice when it comes to lasers. Over the years, I've tried intense pulse light therapy (IPL), Clear & Brilliant (many times), and Vbeam, but I still didn't know what to expect with Laser Genesis. Every laser is different in how it works, how painful it is, and the results.

After Dr. Bhanusali assessed my skin to ensure Laser Genesis was right for me, I was handed a pair of goggles and told to sit back and relax. As he powered on the machine and it began to hum, he explained that I'd feel some heat, as well as hear a clicking sound as the laser goes off, but it wouldn't hurt.

In the past, I've been given a numbing cream, but this treatment didn't require it. The machine itself has a long arm with a wand attached to it that is hovered above skin during treatment. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it didn't hurt, but my skin did start to feel a warm sensation after a few passes. Dr. Bhanusali started on my cheeks before moving on to my chin (where he did a few extra passes to target some post-inflammatory acne scars), forehead, and nose (which was my least favorite part).

The treatment was done in about 20 minutes. Though my skin was a little flush — which, to be fair, happens to me whenever it's hot out — my complexion didn't look as red and angry as it usually does post-laser. So that was already a win in my book. I immediately needed to know how Laser Genesis was so effective yet painless.

"With lasers, it all depends on the modality, wavelength, and what you are treating," Dr. Bhanusali says. "This is great for short term, but you need repeated treatments to get the long-term benefits." Meanwhile, other, more heavy-duty lasers might do more resurfacing, resulting in longer downtime.

Post-treatment, I moved on to a bespoke facial at the new in-house Aesthetica Skin Lab by Dr. Bhanusali's master aesthetician. We proceeded with a round of oxygen and red-light therapy and various masks to bring down any lingering redness and boost hydration.

I walked out of the office feeling great and was able to continue to my next meeting without worrying about irritation, but still, nothing could have prepared me for how great my skin would look the next day. I woke up with a noticeable glow. There was absolutely no redness or sandpaper texture left over from the Laser Genesis treatment. Instead, my pores looked smaller, my skin tone was more even, and all dullness had disappeared.

These short-term results lasted a few days, garnering me countless compliments on my skin from colleagues, friends, and strangers on the street. Dr. Bhanusali says that Laser Genesis is a celebrity favorite for pre-red carpet events, as it gives your skin an instant boost. With my wedding on the horizon, I'm adding this to my beauty prep checklist. The results were that good.