Laser Treatments
Laser Genesis in Clarks Summit and Scranton, PA - for redness, rosacea, and texture. Safe on all skin types. No downtime.
Laser Genesis at The Summit Aesthetics is an FDA-cleared non-ablative laser treatment that gently reduces facial redness, softens fine lines, refines skin texture, and calms rosacea – using rapid, low-energy pulses of 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser energy that warm the upper dermis without disrupting the surface of the skin. Every Laser Genesis session at our Clarks Summit medical spa is personally performed by Lori Barone, our Certified Cosmetic Laser Technician with more than 5 years of experience on the Cutera platform. Two things make Laser Genesis unusual in the rejuvenation category: it produces no visible downtime (you can wear makeup and return to work immediately), and it is safe across all Fitzpatrick skin types (I through VI) – including darker skin tones where IPL and ablative resurfacing carry real risk. Most patients across Scranton, Abington, Dunmore, and the wider NEPA region complete a series of 4 to 6 treatments spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart.
Duration
15 minutes per area
Downtime
None
Results
Initial results appear quickly; maximum effect around 12 weeks
Sessions
Typically 1–2 sessions per area
Ready to begin
How Laser Genesis actually works
Laser Genesis is a non-ablative treatment – meaning it does not wound or remove any layer of skin. Instead, it delivers many rapid, low-energy pulses of 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser energy across the treatment area, gently warming the upper dermis to approximately 40 to 42 degrees Celsius. That controlled warmth does three things simultaneously:
- Shrinks the diffuse micro-vessels that create facial redness – which is why Laser Genesis is one of the most effective treatments for rosacea baseline redness and post-inflammatory facial pinkness.
- Stimulates new collagen production in the upper dermis – which gradually softens fine lines, refines skin texture, and improves the appearance of enlarged pores over the weeks following each session.
- Reduces inflammation – the anti-inflammatory effect helps calm mild active acne and post-acne redness without ablating the skin surface.
What Laser Genesis treats
Laser Genesis is a versatile treatment that addresses the general “healthy skin” pattern of concerns – redness, texture, tone, and mild aging changes. Common reasons patients come to our Clarks Summit medical spa for a Laser Genesis series:
01
Diffuse facial redness
the persistent background pinkness across cheeks, nose, and chin that many patients think is "just their skin"
02
Rosacea baseline redness
particularly the type-1 (erythematotelangiectatic) presentation with persistent redness and mild vascular pattern
03
Post-inflammatory redness
the residual pink or red marks left behind by prior acne breakouts
04
Fine lines and mild wrinkles
particularly around the eyes and mouth
05
Uneven skin texture
rough surface texture, mild scarring, general skin quality concerns
06
Enlarged pores
gradually refines pore appearance across a series
07
Mild active acne
the anti-inflammatory effect helps calm active breakouts
08
Overall skin quality maintenance
particularly for patients who want ongoing skin improvement without downtime
What Laser Genesis doesn't treat as well
Laser Genesis is genuinely useful but it isn’t the right tool for every concern. Being honest about the limits helps you decide whether it fits what you’re trying to achieve:
- Discrete brown spots or pigmentation. Laser Genesis targets vessels and stimulates collagen, but it does not effectively target melanin. For sun damage, brown spots, and pigmented lesions, Limelight IPL → or chemical peels are the better choice.
- Deep wrinkles or significant sun damage. Laser Genesis produces meaningful improvement in fine lines and mild wrinkles, but for deeper wrinkles or transformative resurfacing, TetraPRO CO₂ or Virtue RF Microneedling is the appropriate choice.
- Skin laxity. Laser Genesis works in the upper dermis. For firming and tightening effects that require deeper collagen remodeling, Virtue RF Microneedling or EVERESSE is more effective.
- Discrete broken capillaries or spider veins. Laser Genesis calms diffuse micro-vasculature but is not the right tool for individual visible vessels. IPL or targeted vein-specific laser treatment addresses those better.
Laser Genesis vs. Limelight IPL - the honest comparison
This is the most-asked comparison in Cutera-platform skin rejuvenation, and both treatments are performed at our practice – which means we have no incentive to push one over the other. The honest answer is that they solve different problems and are often used together for comprehensive results.
Detais
Laser Genesis
Limelight IPL
Technology
Single-wavelength 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser
Broad-spectrum intense pulsed light
Best for
Diffuse redness, rosacea baseline, texture, mild wrinkles, tone
Discrete brown spots, sun damage, individual vessels
Skin type safety
All Fitzpatrick I–VI
Fitzpatrick I–III only (real risk on darker skin)
Visible aftermath
None – mild pinkness for an hour
“Coffee grounds” spot darkening 5-10 days
Downtime
Zero – makeup immediately, work immediately
Cosmetically visible spots during flake-off window
Session length
30 to 45 minutes for face
15 to 30 minutes for face
Sessions typically needed
4 to 6
3 to 6
Sensation
Warm, comfortable, spa-like
Warm snap with each pulse
Combined use
Often used together – they target different concerns
Same – the two complement each other well
For patients who have both discrete brown spots AND diffuse redness (a common combination in NEPA’s aging-skin patients), a combined plan of IPL for the pigment plus Laser Genesis for the redness produces cleaner results than either treatment alone. For patients with darker skin who can’t safely use IPL, Laser Genesis alone (often paired with VI Peel Precision Plus chemical peels) is the safer combination.
Laser Genesis vs. Virtue RF Microneedling - which one for firming?
Both treatments stimulate collagen and improve skin quality, but they work at different depths and produce meaningfully different results. Choosing between them (or using both) depends on how much firming and how much surface work you need.
Details
Laser Genesis
Virtue RF Microneedling
Technology
Non-ablative Nd:YAG laser (surface warming)
Microneedles + radiofrequency (deep dermal)
Depth of effect
Upper dermis only
Deep dermis (up to 3.5 mm)
Best for
Redness, tone, texture, mild fine lines – with zero downtime
Firming, tightening, deeper wrinkles, acne scars
Downtime
Zero
24 to 48 hours mild redness
Sessions typically needed
4 to 6
3
Sensation
Warm, comfortable, spa-like
Manageable with topical numbing
Best entry point for
First-time medical rejuvenation patients, patients who cannot take any downtime, patients with rosacea or persistent redness
Patients wanting genuine firming and deeper concerns addressed
For patients whose primary concern is firmness and deeper texture, Virtue RF Microneedling is generally the better tool. For patients whose primary concern is redness and surface quality, Laser Genesis is the better tool. Many patients benefit from both across a comprehensive skin plan.
Body areas we treat with Laser Genesis
Laser Genesis is safe and effective on all facial areas plus adjacent zones commonly affected by redness and photoaging.
Full face
Décolletage (chest)
Neck (particularly for redness and mild crepiness)
Any area of persistent facial or body redness
Chest and upper back (for acne redness and post-inflammatory pinkness)
What to expect at your Laser Genesis appointment
Consultation (first visit): Complimentary, 30 to 45 minutes. Lori assesses your skin, evaluates your concerns, reviews your medical history, and builds a written treatment plan. For patients coming in specifically for rosacea or persistent redness, this is where we decide whether Laser Genesis alone or a combined plan (adding IPL or chemical peels) is the best fit.
The treatment: You’ll wear protective eyewear. Lori applies a thin layer of ultrasound gel to the treatment area and moves the Laser Genesis handpiece across your skin in overlapping passes, delivering thousands of rapid low-energy pulses. Most patients describe the sensation as warm and comfortable – similar to a warm stone massage. Not painful. Many patients relax and even dose off during the treatment.
Session length: Full face: 30 to 45 minutes. Face + neck: 45 to 60 minutes.
Immediately after: Skin looks and feels normal. Some patients notice mild pinkness for an hour or two – easily covered with makeup. You can drive home, return to work, exercise, and continue your day without any restrictions.
Follow-up: Series treatments are spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart, typically 4 to 6 sessions total. Full results are assessed 4 weeks after your final session.
How many Laser Genesis sessions will I need?
Most patients complete a series of 4 to 6 Laser Genesis sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. Because Laser Genesis works cumulatively and gently, results build across the series rather than appearing dramatically after a single session.
Concern
Typical session count
Notes
Diffuse redness / mild rosacea
4 to 6 sessions
Ongoing maintenance every 3-6 months often needed
Skin texture / mild acne redness
4 to 5 sessions
Fewer sessions if acne is well-controlled otherwise
Fine lines / early aging
5 to 6 sessions
Combined plan with other treatments often more effective
Post-inflammatory redness (post-acne)
3 to 5 sessions
Response depends on severity of underlying redness
Maintenance / general skin quality
Series of 4, then quarterly maintenance
Popular ongoing schedule for skin-focused patients
Maintenance: After the initial series, most patients benefit from maintenance sessions every 3 to 6 months to sustain results – particularly for rosacea, where new triggers (heat, alcohol, spicy food) can re-inflame vessels between sessions.
Laser Genesis aftercare
Aftercare for Laser Genesis is genuinely minimal because the treatment is non-ablative. The whole appeal is that you can immediately return to normal life.
For the first 24 hours
- Sunscreen SPF 30+ every day (this rule applies always, but especially the day of treatment)
- Makeup is fine immediately if any residual pinkness bothers you
- Normal exercise, work, social activities – no restrictions
- Avoid extreme heat exposure (very hot showers, sauna) for a few hours if you can
Ongoing during the series
- Continue daily sunscreen – protecting the collagen investment you’re building
- For rosacea patients: continue to avoid your known triggers between sessions
- Consistent skincare between visits amplifies the cumulative result
Why "provider-consistent care" matters for Laser Genesis
Laser Genesis has adjustable settings for energy level, pulse rate, and pass count that must be matched to your specific skin type, the concerns being treated, and how your skin responds to prior sessions. Provider experience produces measurably better results – particularly across a 4 to 6 session series where each session builds on the previous.
Every Laser Genesis session at The Summit Aesthetics is personally performed by Lori Barone. The same experienced provider who assesses your skin at consultation is the one delivering treatment across the entire series. No rotation. No delegation. Her 5+ years on the Cutera platform – which includes Laser Genesis, Limelight IPL, and the XEO laser hair removal system – means she reads real-time skin response with accuracy that’s difficult to teach.
Specifically for Laser Genesis, this matters because:
- Fitzpatrick-appropriate settings. Laser Genesis is safe on all skin types, but settings still shift based on Fitzpatrick assessment. An experienced provider calibrates accurately.
- Session-to-session progression. Because Laser Genesis results build cumulatively, each session’s settings depend on how your skin responded to the previous ones. Continuity of care produces better cumulative outcomes.
- Integrated planning with other Cutera treatments. For patients doing combined IPL + Laser Genesis plans, or transitioning from one Cutera treatment to another, Lori’s cross-platform expertise means the plan is coordinated rather than siloed.
Is Laser Genesis safe? Who should not be treated?
Laser Genesis has one of the strongest safety profiles of any medical rejuvenation treatment. It is non-ablative, non-invasive, and delivers energy at levels well below what would cause meaningful tissue damage. Serious complications are very rare.
Common, expected, and short-lived
- Mild pinkness for an hour or two after treatment
- Warmth in the treated area during and briefly after
- Very rarely, mild swelling for a few hours
Uncommon
- Prolonged redness lasting more than a few hours (uncommon in appropriate settings)
- Cold sore reactivation in prone patients (prophylactic antiviral is available)
Who should not get Laser Genesis
- Anyone pregnant (defer until after – non-emergency, but standard practice)
- Anyone with active herpes outbreak, cold sore, or infection at treatment sites
- Anyone with a recent aggressive sunburn in the treatment area
- Anyone currently on isotretinoin (Accutane) – wait 6 months after finishing
- Anyone with a history of keloid scarring in the area
- Anyone taking photosensitizing medications (discuss at consultation)
- Anyone with unrealistic expectations that a gentle rejuvenation treatment will produce dramatic single-session results
Frequently Asked
Questions our patients ask most
How much does Laser Genesis cost in Clarks Summit, PA?
Laser Genesis is priced per session, with series pricing (4 to 6 sessions) typically bundled at a discount versus per-session pricing. Cost also varies by treatment area (face vs. face + neck vs. body areas). Lori will provide a specific plan and total during your complimentary consultation. Call (570) 585-0201 to schedule.
Is Laser Genesis safe for darker skin?
Yes – this is one of Laser Genesis’ genuine advantages. The 1064 nm Nd:YAG wavelength is safe across all Fitzpatrick skin types (I through VI). This is meaningfully different from IPL (which is only safe on lighter skin) and from ablative laser resurfacing (which carries pigmentation risk on darker skin). For patients with darker skin who want redness reduction or skin quality improvement, Laser Genesis is often the safest choice.
Does Laser Genesis really work?
Yes, when done as a series. Laser Genesis results build cumulatively across 4 to 6 sessions rather than appearing dramatically after one. Patients who complete a full series and maintain results with periodic maintenance see meaningful, sustained improvement in redness, texture, and skin quality. Patients who do one or two sessions and stop often conclude it “didn’t work” – which is a series-completion issue, not a treatment-effectiveness issue.
How is Laser Genesis different from IPL?
Laser Genesis is a single-wavelength Nd:YAG laser that treats diffuse redness, texture, and mild wrinkles across the entire treatment area. IPL is a broad-spectrum pulsed light that targets discrete brown spots and individual vessels. They’re often used together for comprehensive results. The other key difference: Laser Genesis is safe on all skin types; IPL is only safe on lighter skin (Fitzpatrick I–III).
Can Laser Genesis treat rosacea?
Yes – it’s one of the most effective treatments for rosacea baseline redness. The gentle vessel-shrinking effect reduces the persistent background redness that many rosacea patients live with daily. It does not “cure” rosacea (which is a chronic condition), but it can meaningfully improve the appearance and often reduce the frequency and intensity of flares. Maintenance sessions every 3 to 6 months typically keep the improvement sustained.
Does Laser Genesis hurt?
No. The sensation is warm and comfortable – most patients describe it as similar to a warm stone massage. Many patients relax deeply during the treatment; some even doze off. There is no need for topical numbing before Laser Genesis.
How long is Laser Genesis downtime?
Zero. This is the treatment’s biggest practical advantage. Some patients notice mild pinkness for an hour or two after – easily covered with makeup or ignored entirely. You can drive home, return to work, exercise, and continue your day without any restrictions. Many patients schedule Laser Genesis over a lunch break.
When will I see Laser Genesis results?
Results build cumulatively across the series. Some patients notice subtle improvement (calmer redness, slightly brighter skin) after the first two sessions. Meaningful visible improvement is typically clear after 4 sessions. Peak results are visible 4 to 6 weeks after your final session, when collagen remodeling is complete
Can I combine Laser Genesis with other treatments?
Yes – in fact, combined plans are common. Laser Genesis pairs particularly well with IPL (for pigment concerns), chemical peels (for tone and texture), Diamond Glow (for pore clearing), and injectables. Because Laser Genesis has no downtime, it can be scheduled around almost any other treatment. Lori will build a phased plan at consultation.
Ready to begin
Book your Laser Genesis consultation
Every new Laser Genesis patient begins with a complimentary consultation with Lori. The consultation includes a skin assessment, discussion of your concerns and skin type, and a written treatment plan – which may recommend Laser Genesis alone or as part of a combined plan.
Investment
Custom pricing at consult
Financing
From ~$25/mo · Cherry 0% APR
Member savings
Save 10–20% →
The Summit Aesthetics
116 North State Street, Clarks Summit, PA 18411 | Serving Scranton, Abington, Dunmore, Kingston, Wilkes-Barre, and the wider NEPA region
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The Summit Aesthetics
Serving Clarks Summit, Scranton, Kingston, and Northeastern Pennsylvania with physician-led aesthetic care in a calm, elevated setting.
Address
116 North State Street, Clarks Summit, PA 18411
Hours
Mon–Thu 10a–6p · Wed to 7p · Fri 10a–2p
Phone
(570) 585-0201
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