Softlaser Device and Softlaser Treatment

The softlaser device emits low-energy laser beams, typically with wavelengths between 600-1000 nanometers. The most common wavelengths are 660nm and 808nm.

These devices produce little or no heat and do not cause burns, as the emitted energy is of low intensity.

What is Softlaser Therapy?

Softlaser treatment involves applying a low-intensity laser beam to a part of the body to promote healing, reduce pain, and decrease inflammation. The laser light exerts a biostimulatory effect on the body, resulting in cells and tissues regenerating more quickly.
Softlaser treatment is widely used in rheumatology, orthopedics, sports medicine, dermatology, otolaryngology, dentistry, and veterinary practice.

Effects of Softlaser Treatment

Softlaser treatment can have several beneficial effects:

• Anti-inflammatory effect. Laser light stimulates anti-inflammatory processes, leading to reduced swelling, redness, and sensitivity.
• Improved microcirculation. Edema decreases, further enhancing tissue regeneration.
• Pain-relieving effect. Stimulation of nerve cells releases endorphins. These are strong, naturally produced pain-relieving substances in our bodies. Endorphins reduce the sensitivity of pain receptors to toxins. Stimulating nerve endings achieves a strong analgesic effect. In addition to pain relief, endorphins support the anti-inflammatory effect.
• Increased production of "building materials." Energy stimulates mitochondria to produce more ATP (adenosine triphosphate), providing enough energy to synthesize proteins and healing substances. A key process is collagen production. Collagen is a component of almost all tissues—especially in the lower layers of the skin. Laser light stimulates collagen synthesis and thus improves the healing of damaged tissues and wounds. Adequate collagen ensures scar-free wound healing.
• Release of waste products from cells. This effect is very important in treating damaged tissues and hematomas.

Cellular Level Effects of Laser Light

Laser light energy is absorbed by chromophore elements in the cells and utilized via complex photo-biochemical processes. As a result:

• The Na-K pump of cell membranes is restored
• The membrane potential of diseased cells normalizes
• Cellular activity increases
• Cell metabolism and tissue regeneration are enhanced
• Mitochondrial ATP production increases
• Collagen production is stimulated
• Lymphocytes, leukocytes, and macrophages migrate to the site of inflammation
• Vasodilation occurs and blood circulation improves
• Oxygen uptake by cells improves

Implementation of Softlaser Therapy

Softlaser therapy typically follows these steps:

• Diagnosis. The physician or therapist identifies the diagnosis (the problem to be treated), the treatment goal (pain relief, reducing edema, managing inflammation, improving circulation, etc.), and the dose to be applied (generally 5-10 Joule/cm²).
• Device Settings: If possible, the appropriate wavelength, intensity, and treatment time are set on the softlaser device. On simpler devices, wavelength and intensity are fixed, so the required time to deliver the energy must be determined, which varies by device.
• Treatment: The softlaser device is placed directly on the skin or held a few millimeters above it, and the treatment area is irradiated for the necessary duration.
• Combination: Treatment is combined with other therapies to enhance effect.

Softlaser Opinions

I have a very positive opinion of softlaser therapy. I wholeheartedly recommend it because:

• It is non-invasive, treatment is simple through the skin
• It is non-toxic (completely drug-free)
• There are no known adverse effects or side effects
• It is safer and more effective than drugs, ultrasound, infrared light, or microwave therapy
• It is simple and easy to use, requiring no special training
• Highly effective! The success rate is over 90%

Classification of Softlaser Devices

Softlaser devices are classified based on energy emission. Class 1 devices have the lowest energy, while Class 4 are the highest energy devices. The higher the energy, the shorter the treatment time but stronger biological effect. Higher performance increases usage risks (e.g., some lasers can't be sold to laypersons for home use).

Class 1 Lasers

These devices have low energy output. Treatment time per point may be 2-5 minutes, meaning the device must be held steadily at the same spot.

Under normal use, they are considered completely safe without protective eyewear. The eye is at risk only with optical accessories, requiring eyewear then. Their effect is limited near the body surface, primarily affecting skin and superficial structures. Class 1 laser devices are exempt from most medical regulatory requirements, so many manufacturers (including many Chinese) produce such devices.

Examples: Safe Laser 500, Safelaser 1800, B-Cure Classic, B-Cure Sport, B-Cure Sport Pro, and B-Cure Pro.

This category also includes the Safe Laser 580 Duo device. This product is not certified for human medical use but is authorized for veterinary use (as of August 2023). Despite this, sellers advertise it in ways that may mislead laypersons to believe it is for human therapy. To put it mildly: unethical.

Class 2 Lasers

Their output power does not exceed 1 mW. The natural reflex to bright light protects the eyes. Eye hazards occur if the laser beam is directed without protection into the eye for more than 0.25 seconds.

Example device: Safe Laser 150

Class 3 Lasers

Class 3 lasers are medium-power devices with output from 5 mW to 500 mW. The required therapeutic energy is delivered in 10-20 seconds, significantly reducing treatment time. Particularly beneficial for patients with polyarthritis and clinics or therapists.

The emitted beam is dangerous if aimed directly at the eye. Diffuse reflections (e.g., from walls) are generally safe, but reflections from mirrors or glass are dangerous. These devices should only be used with protective eyewear. Class 3 lasers can be sold for home use without a doctor's presence.

Examples: Personal Laser L200, Personal Laser L400, Energy Laser L500 Pro, Energy Laser L800, Energy Laser L2000.

Class 4 Lasers

Class 4 lasers are high-power devices with output above 500 mW. Direct beams, mirror or diffuse reflections are hazardous to eyes and skin. They may pose fire risks (radiation power above 2 W/cm2 can ignite). They can only be used in medical offices with appropriate protective equipment; private individuals cannot obtain them. Examples: PhysioLaser 500, PhysioLaser 1000.

Consider also:

• Devices within the same laser class and with the same wavelength generally have similar therapeutic effects.
• Safe Laser 500 and B-Cure are both Class 1, primarily promoting biostimulation and regeneration. There's no significant difference in effect. The Safe Laser outputs more energy, reducing required treatment time by 2 minutes per point.
• Class 3 devices (Personal Laser, Energy Laser) provide a definitely stronger therapeutic effect than Class 1 devices (B-Cure and Safe Laser). If financially possible, buy a Class 3 device.

Product Recommendation: Our Softlaser Devices

The primary effect of softlaser devices is to support cell regeneration processes and thus speed up healing, also providing pain relief by stimulating endorphin production.

Choose your device now! →

What Does the Laser Effect Depend On?

The effect depends on the energy emitted by the device, the wavelength of the light beam, and whether the radiation is continuous or pulsed.

It's simple to understand that higher energy leads to a stronger effect. A more powerful laser will have a stronger effect. So a Class 3 softlaser device is more effective than a Class 1 device. It's like car racing: a Formula 1 car is certainly faster than any mass-produced car. Personal Laser L400 or Energy Laser L500 are definitely more effective than any Safelaser or B-Cure.

Softlasers often use diodes emitting light at wavelengths of 660 or 808 nanometers.

The 660 nm laser emits visible red light, mainly for treating skin and structures up to about 1-2 cm beneath. They can't penetrate deeply but their energy is fully used near the surface. They are very effective for skin, small joints, and dental complaints.

The 808 nm laser emits infrared, invisible light. These devices emit visible artificial light during operation, but this is only for aiming and signaling. The laser beam penetrates deep into subcutaneous tissues. Class 1 lasers reach 3-5 cm deep, while Class 3 can reach 5-10 cm. Thus, 808nm lasers are suitable for treating larger joints, cartilage, ligaments, and deep joints like hip, knee, or spine. Due to rapid skin penetration, their superficial effect may be milder than 660nm lasers.

In the diagram, you can see how laser penetration depth can be controlled. Keeping the device head 5-10mm from the skin applies energy near the surface. For deepest energy delivery, place the head against the skin and press lightly.

Conditions Treatable with Softlaser

Thousands of scientific and clinical studies confirm the beneficial effects. The World Association for Laser Therapy (WALT), a professional body of laser therapy physicians, designates the main application areas as follows.

Musculoskeletal Problems

Radicular Symptoms (Nerve Root Compression)

Dental and ENT Conditions

Vascular Problems

Wound Healing Enhancement

Skin Treatment

Treatment Frequency

In acute cases (recent onset), treat daily for 1-2 weeks, then 3-4 times weekly until symptoms vanish. Although improvement may occur after the first treatment, this is not the full cure. Treat for at least 14 days or until complete healing.

For chronic conditions (over 8-10 weeks old), treatment is less frequent but longer. Every other day for the first 10 days, then every third day until symptom resolution or significant reduction.

Chronic disease healing obviously takes longer (even months). Pain may temporarily increase after initial treatments but subsides within days. This reaction is common with inflammatory processes and is caused by toxin elimination, temporarily exciting pain receptors.

Eye: Never direct the laser beam into your eyes! Do not look into the beam! For Class III devices, everyone in the room must wear safety goggles. (B-Cure devices do not require such protection!)

Thyroid: Avoid directing the laser beam at the thyroid to prevent affecting its function.

Pregnancy: Do not treat directly over the uterus; avoid exposing the fetus, especially in the first trimester.

Epilepsy: Low-frequency pulsed visible light (<30 Hz) can trigger seizures; do not use visible lasers in such cases.

Use of softlaser is forbidden for those with cancer or bleeding disorders.

Softlaser treatment is among the simplest therapies: two methods exist - point treatment and scanning.

Point Treatment
Known energy amounts are required per condition. See tables below. Based on device output, time to deliver the energy is calculated. Hold the device at the point for that duration, then move to next point. This allows accurate therapeutic timing.

Scanning
Based on target area size (cm²), required dose, device output, and treatment head size, total energy can be calculated. Once calculated, move the head slowly and continuously until time elapses. Disadvantage: it's hard to treat the area uniformly this way (though not always problematic).

Scanning softlaser therapy is recommended for wounds, ulcers, scars, acne, herpes, etc. Joint and tendon inflammations, cartilage problems, and degeneration are better treated point by point.

Lower power devices require longer times to deliver the same energy. Some, like B-Cure Laser softlaser heads, treat a large 4.5 cm² area simultaneously and need 4-6 minutes per point. Safe Laser devices treat 2.5 cm² in 2-3 minutes, similar use times. Personal Laser and Energy Laser softlasers need only a few seconds but treat smaller areas.

If only one joint, e.g. the wrist, is inflamed, any device will do, with treatment lasting just minutes.

If there are many joint issues, e.g., all 28 joints in the fingers, a higher-energy, focused laser will greatly reduce treatment time.

Warning! Softlaser is not a toy. Ensure small children do not have access!

Light affects not only humans. Your pets and horses' cells work the same way, so you can help them with concentrated light energy for certain conditions. Pets need less energy (1-2 Joule), horses may need more.

Interestingly, animals respond well. But if you apply too much energy, they'll show discomfort by moving away. Pay attention to your pet's feedback.

There are many scams and misinformation around softlaser therapy, especially as interest in low-level laser therapy (LLLT) grows. Prior research can reduce the risk of being misled about softlaser devices.

Product Recommendation: Our Softlaser Devices

The primary effect of softlaser devices is to support cell regeneration processes and thus speed up healing, also providing pain relief by stimulating endorphin production.

Choose your device now! →