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Treating Leg Ulcers with Softlaser – How to Support Healing at Home?

There has been an open wound on your lower leg for months that just won't heal. You dress it, care for it, visit doctors — and still it doesn't close. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Leg ulcers are one of the most stubborn types of chronic wounds and they seriously reduce quality of life. The good news: softlaser therapy can give healing a new boost.

Scars | Wounds

Laser therapy

What is a leg ulcer and why is it so stubborn?

An ulcer is tissue death of the skin and underlying structures creating an open wound. A leg ulcer typically develops in the area between the ankle and the knee and is notoriously difficult to heal. While a normal cut may scar over in a few weeks, an ulcer can remain open for months or even years.

The reason is an underlying circulatory disorder. The tissues do not receive enough oxygen and nutrients, waste products do not clear properly — so the wound becomes "stuck" in a chronic, non-healing state.

Types of leg ulcers

Based on origin, ulcers are divided into three main types:

Venous ulcers – these are the most common, accounting for 70–80% of cases. They result from varicose vein disease: valve insufficiency causes blood to pool in the lower limb, exerting prolonged pressure on the tissues. They typically appear on the inner side of the ankle, have shallow, irregular edges and often exude fluid.

Arterial ulcers – caused by narrowing of the arteries, so the tissues do not receive sufficient blood. They typically develop on the toes, heel or the front of the lower leg. They are deep with sharp edges and are accompanied by severe pain.

Diabetic ulcers – diabetes attacks the foot in two ways: it damages nerves (neuropathy) and small vessels (microangiopathy). Because of sensory loss, injuries often go unnoticed, while poor blood supply slows healing. They most commonly occur on the sole or toes.

Why might softlaser help?

Softlaser therapy (also called photobiomodulation) is a treatment method that delivers low-energy light to the tissues. This light does not cut or burn — instead it acts at the cellular level.

The laser light energy is absorbed by the cells' mitochondria (their "power plants"). As a result:

It may support cellular energy production (ATP synthesis)
It can favorably influence local blood circulation
It can contribute to reducing inflammatory processes
It may support collagen production and tissue regeneration

Simply put: softlaser can "wake up" slowed healing processes.

What do studies show?

Scientific studies are encouraging. In a 2024 randomized, controlled trial, patients with diabetic ulcers were treated with 904 nm photobiomodulation. Result: the treated group showed a significantly greater reduction in ulcer size compared with the control group (PubMed: 38805069).

In another study on venous ulcers, after 16 weeks the ulcers had fully closed in 58% of the patients treated with softlaser, compared to 36% in the control group (WHAM Evidence Summary, 2025).

Important to note: softlaser is not a miracle cure. You get the best results when you use it as a supplement to conventional wound care — not as a replacement.

How to use softlaser for ulcer treatment?

Treatment principles

Dose: For ulcer treatment an energy density of 1–4 J/cm² is usually recommended — this is lower than doses used for joint problems.

Technique: For an open wound, do NOT place the device directly on the wound surface! Keep the treatment head a few millimeters away from the wound, or treat the wound edges and surrounding area.

Frequency: One treatment per day is recommended until complete wound closure. For ulcers this means a minimum of 8–12 weeks, and in more severe cases it can take several months.

Scanning technique: If the ulcer covers a larger area, move the device slowly and evenly across the entire area so that every part receives the required energy.

What to pay attention to

Clean the wound in the usual way before treatment
Do not touch the open wound with the device — this is important for hygiene
After the first treatments you may experience temporary pain — this is normal and can indicate that healing processes are being activated
Do not stop treatment as soon as you notice improvement — continue until the wound is fully closed

Before you start treatment

To use the device safely, know the contraindications. If any of the following apply to you, consult your treating physician.

When NOT to use softlaser?

Malignant tumor in the area – on or directly near the treatment site
Pregnancy – avoid the abdominal and lumbar area (out of caution)
Thyroid area – do not aim directly at the thyroid
Active infection – in cases of severe bacterial or viral infection
After corticosteroid injection – wait a few weeks before treating that area
Photosensitive conditions – consult a physician if you have light sensitivity

Eye protection: For class 3 laser devices (Personal Laser, Energy Laser) wearing protective goggles is mandatory! Never look directly into the laser beam.

Detailed information on contraindications: Softlaser therapy contraindications

Possible side effects

Softlaser therapy is generally well tolerated, but the following can occur:

Mild, temporary redness at the treated area
Temporary increase in pain after the first treatments (can indicate activation of healing processes)
Rarely: mild headache with transcranial application

If you experience persistent or unusual symptoms, stop treatment and consult your physician.

When NOT to expect miracles?

Start with realistic expectations. Softlaser will not heal the ulcer if:

You don't treat the underlying disease – compression therapy is ESSENTIAL for venous insufficiency, and glucose control is indispensable for diabetes
Severe arterial insufficiency is present – if blood supply is critically low, this must be corrected first (possibly by vascular surgery)
The wound is infected – active, purulent infections require antibiotic treatment first
You do not follow hygiene rules – without regular dressing changes and wound cleaning the laser won't help

Softlaser is a valuable adjunct tool — but it does not replace medical care and treatment of the underlying disease.

Which device should you choose?

For ulcer treatment, devices with a 660 nm (red light) wavelength are primarily recommended because they act on surface tissues. 808 nm (infrared) devices penetrate deeper and can support blood supply to the wound edges.

For home use

B-Cure Laser Pro – a class 1 laser device that can be used without protective goggles. Its large treatment area (4.5 cm²) is ideal for scanning larger ulcers. Safe and simple to use.

Personal Laser L200 – a class 3 laser device, 660 nm red light, designed specifically for skin and superficial tissue treatment, which is beneficial for supporting wound closure. Protective goggles are required for use.

For larger ulcers, for therapists

Energy Laser L800 Pro – a class 3 laser device, 660 nm, 4×200 mW = 800 mW total power with a 4 cm² treatment area. Suitable for more effective and faster treatment of larger ulcers. Ideal for wound-care professionals and therapists, but can also be issued for home use.

Remember: ulcer treatment is a team effort

Successful treatment of a leg ulcer does not depend on a single method. Think of it as a puzzle where every piece must be in place:

Medical supervision – diagnosis and treatment of the underlying disease
Compression therapy – the most important pillar for venous ulcers
Appropriate wound dressing – maintaining a moist wound-healing environment
Exercise – muscle pump activity supports venous return
Softlaser therapy – supporting the healing processes

If you combine all of these, an ulcer that once seemed hopeless can begin to heal.

Other softlaser applications

Softlaser therapy can support the treatment of many other conditions and complaints. For a full overview of home applications, read the Softlaser therapy at home – Treating conditions article.

If you are new to softlaser therapy, start with the Comprehensive guide to softlaser therapy article.

Summary – Quick overview

What is this article? A comprehensive guide to treating leg ulcers with softlaser therapy, from the basics to practical advice.

Who is it for? Anyone struggling with a hard-to-heal leg ulcer who wants to learn about the possibilities of softlaser therapy.

Main message: Softlaser therapy is a scientifically researched, safe adjunct treatment that may support ulcer healing — but it does not replace medical care and treatment of the underlying disease.

Main ulcer types:

Venous (70–80%) – consequence of varicose vein disease
Arterial – due to arterial narrowing
Diabetic – complication of diabetes

Treatment principles:

1–4 J/cm² dose
Daily, at least 8–12 weeks
Do NOT touch the open wound with the device
Use together with compression therapy and appropriate wound dressing

Scientific sources

Cardoso VS et al. (2024). Dose-response and efficacy of 904 nm photobiomodulation on diabetic foot ulcers healing: a randomized controlled trial. Lasers Med Sci. PubMed: 38805069
Hulsdunk K, Haesler E (2025). Low level laser therapy for healing venous leg ulcers: a WHAM evidence summary. Wound Practice and Research. Link
dos Santos CM et al. (2021). A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers. Int J Low Extrem Wounds. PubMed: 32394760

The information in this article is for informational purposes only. Home therapeutic devices are intended to complement medical treatment and do not replace specialist care. Consult your physician if you have symptoms. Read the device user manual before starting treatment.