Why Black Women Are Choosing Laser Genesis as Their Skin Treatment of Choice

02.07.2026, 21:33 allure.com

As someone with dark skin, laser procedures have always seemed like risky business. When done correctly, they can increase skin vibrancy and reduce hyperpigmentation. But pick the wrong one, and you've just zapped your way into irreversible scarring, burns, and hyperpigmentation—the kind that takes years to get rid of.

For that reason, I largely avoided using lasers on my face, especially after a laser hair removal technician once told me that my chances of having adverse laser experiences in general were higher due to my skin tone. I was willing to risk it on my legs, but on the money maker? No dice.

Then, my social algorithm began to show me videos of Black women sharing their positive experiences with a specific laser treatment called Laser Genesis—a near-infrared Nd:YAG laser —which claims to promote glowier, plumper skin. My curiosity was piqued.

On TikTok, there are hundreds of videos of women sharing their journeys with Laser Genesis, and a sizable percentage of these posts come from women of color. These users make the procedure look pain-free and almost relaxing: Many of them talk and laugh through the entire treatment. They also return to their daily activities right after the appointment, without needing the week to 10 days of downtime that’s required after many laser procedures.

All those videos are leading to real-life hype. Saya Obayan, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Austin, Texas, says Black women have been flocking to her office asking for the procedure. Sarah Yagerman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, says the same: "Rather than going to your dermatologist and saying, I want to treat XYZ [condition], people are coming in and requesting procedures by the brand name,” Dr. Yagerman says. “Right now, Laser Genesis happens to be the one with a lot of recognition."

Historically, lasers haven’t really been as safe for people with darker skin tones. “[Lasers work] through a process called selective photothermolysis,” Naana Boakye, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Hackensack, New Jersey, previously told Allure. Photothermolysis is a scientific term that explains how energy from lasers selects, heats, and destroys a target—which could include melanin. Additionally, “the heat from the laser can trigger the production of melanocytes, which will create more melanin pigment, leading to hyperpigmentation and dark spots forming,” cosmetic chemist Shuting Hu previously told Allure

Lasers that use Nd:YAG technology are generally safe enough for darker skin tones since they don’t attack melanocytes the same way many other laser devices do (more on that later). Though Laser Genesis is only one of a handful of Nd:YAG lasers, Dr. Obayan and Dr. Yagerman say social media testimonies that herald the treatment as one of the few laser options suitable for darker skin have made it the most popular of the bunch.

The TikTok videos were enough to prompt me to begin searching for a provider in my area. Before jumping on the trend, though, I spoke with a handful of dermatologists to learn exactly what Laser Genesis is and why it's becoming such a desirable treatment option for those with darker skin tones.

“In general, laser treatments work by emitting a narrow beam of a single wavelength, or color, of light," Shereene Idriss, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, previously told Allure. Some lasers work by burning off the top layer of the skin to reveal brighter, smoother skin underneath. The dermatologists we spoke to for this story explain that Laser Genesis is one of many nonablative lasers, meaning it uses gentle heat to target deeper layers of skin without destroying the skin on top.

Laser Genesis is a treatment created by Cutera (a medical device company) that uses a specific type of 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser, Dr. Yagerman says. This technology delivers pulses of heat beneath the epidermis without disrupting the skin's top layer—making it safer for darker skin tones because it doesn’t target or damage melanin. It also doesn’t injure the epidermis, reducing the chances that your laser facial will end in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and scarring.

Other treatments within this category of 1064 nm Nd:YAG lasers include Aerolase's Neo Elite and Lumenis' Splendor X—both are similar to Laser Genesis in the type of laser they use, but there are some nuances. Think of it like neuromodulators: Botox was the first to the market and has broad name recognition, but Xeomin, Dysport, Jeuveau, and Daxxify are all botulinum toxin type A-based treatments with similar claims.

What makes Laser Genesis different from other types of Nd:YAGs is that its results are meant to give an overall glow, whereas other lasers in this category often target more specific skin issues. Kseniya Kobets, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Elmsford, New York breaks down the differences like this: Aerolase Neo Elite uses short high-energy pulses to treat a targeted area, making it ideal for treating acne, rosacea, melasma, and razor bumps. Splendor X uses a dual-wavelength laser (still 1064 nm) and is primarily used for hair removal, but can provide wrinkle reduction and treat vascular or pigmented lesions too.

Laser Genesis also uses quick pulses, but Dr. Kobets notes that the heat emitted from Laser Genesis is delivered in a “continuous sweeping motion, rather than aggressively treating a single target” like a pimple or hair you want to get rid of. However, your dermatologist can adjust the settings on the Laser Genesis to target a specific concern, if that’s something you’re seeking.

Bradley Glodny, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Park Ave Derm in New York City, says, “Laser Genesis is more for maintenance and evening out skin tone.” This is why Dr. Kobets calls Laser Genesis a “gentle glow” treatment.

Laser Genesis rejuvenates the skin by stimulating collagen production, says Dr. Kobets. “Our skin is primarily made up of collagen, and as we age, our collagen gets broken down more quickly,” Dr. Obayan says. "Having more collagen in your skin helps prevent premature aging." The type of collagen stimulation Laser Genesis provides can "make the skin stronger and tighter," says Dr. Yagerman—reducing fine lines and wrinkles over time with consistent use.

While other lasers are better for targeting pimples specifically, you may see some acne-related improvement if you get Laser Genesis while you have a pesky breakout. "The heat [from the laser] also targets the sebaceous glands, which are the main reason why we get acne,” Dr. Kobets says. “Heating up these glands reduces oil production and helps to decrease inflammation."

All of these caveats are why it’s important to discuss your concerns and expectations with your care provider before beginning treatment, instead of just going in with specific buzzy device or product in mind. While everyone on your feed might be having great luck with Laser Genesis, a skin assessment by your derm could reveal that a different treatment is more suitable for your goals.

Laser Genesis is safer for darker skin tones because of how deeply it penetrates the skin. "Ablative lasers like the CO2 laser can be dangerous for skin of color because they target the surface level of the skin, which is where all of our melanin is,” says Dr. Obayan, who adds that this is why ablative lasers are more likely to cause hyperpigmentation.

Laser Genesis and other 1064 nm Nd:YAG lasers bypass that first layer of skin to target the dermis, rather than heating up the epidermis. "This type of laser doesn't heat up the [water] in the epidermis like fractional or ablative laser skin resurfacing, so it's not likely to cause a lot of injury to the surface layer of the skin,” says Dr. Yagerman. “Because of that, it's safer for all skin tones.”

According to Dr. Kobets, Laser Genesis uses rapid pulses (approximately 0.3 milliseconds) between the laser and your face, leading to minimal direct heat on the skin. "When the Laser Genesis pulse hits the skin, it's a very short pulse, so the skin cools down very quickly,” Dr. Obayan says. “That's important for skin of color, because the quicker the skin cools down, the less thermal damage to the melanin."

Although Laser Genesis is suitable for almost all skin types, Dr. Obayan says that it shouldn’t be used on skin that’s injured or compromised in any way. Dr. Kobets says it's better to avoid the treatment until a week or two after getting neurotoxins like Botox injected, so the laser treatment doesn’t affect their efficacy.

Additionally, those who have flushed, irritated, or burnt skin from prolonged time in the sun should wait at least two weeks before getting Laser Genesis. "Don't do it after a long vacation in Mexico,” says Dr. Obayan.

If you’re looking to Laser Genesis to produce drastic changes to your skin (like eradicating acne or clearing prolonged pigmentation issues), you’ll probably be a little disappointed—at least after your first treatment.

Dr. Friedmann says that while Laser Genesis is more effective than gentler exfoliation treatments (like microdermabrasion and hydrofacials), it’s less effective than more intense methods like CO2 or Erbium lasers, which typically yield quicker, more dramatic results. "If you want a procedure that's going to give the best possible results in one session, Laser Genesis would be at the bottom of the list,” says Dr. Friedmann.

Plus, as previously mentioned, Laser Genesis is considered less effective than its other 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser counterparts at treating more complex skin issues like cystic acne, folliculitis barbae, or melasma. It's a gentler laser treatment that's designed for an overall glow boost.

At most laser treatment appointments, your dermatologist will begin by cleansing your skin—the same goes for Laser Genesis. Then, the real fun begins.

"Once your skin is dry, you’ll have a shield applied to your eyes to protect them from the harsh light of the laser,” says Dr. Obayan. “Then the lase