Therapy-Grade Lasers for Every Application
From clinical to personal use, explore a curated collection of lasers that deliver real results — for humans, animals, and everything in between.
Explore Our Laser Systems
Professional-grade therapy lasers for every application
Avant Lasers
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ATP Max Lasers
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Terraquant Lasers
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ReGen Lasers
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Powermedic Lasers
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EVO Lasers
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Laserex Lasers
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ReGen Pod
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Accessories
Shop Accessories →Why Professionals Choose Us
We're a brick-and-mortar PBM supplier on Main Street in Louisville, Colorado — not a drop-shipper, not a side hustle. Cold laser therapy equipment is all we do.
Independent Advice
We carry systems from multiple manufacturers. That means the recommendation you get is based on your clinical needs, your patient volume, and your budget — not our margin.
Evidence-Based Only
Every product we sell is grounded in published photobiomodulation research. We vet the science so you don't have to sort through marketing claims to find what actually works.
Right-Sized Power
A busy chiropractic office and a home user treating a knee don't need the same laser. We'll match the wattage, wavelength, and form factor to how you'll actually use it.
How Buying From Us Works
Tell us about your practice, your patients, and what you're trying to accomplish. We'll walk you through the options — Class 1 through Class 4 — and explain exactly why one system fits your situation better than another.
We'll Price-Match Anyone
Find a better price on the same system? We'll match it. But most customers stay because of what happens after the sale — training, protocol support, and a team that picks up the phone.
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Every system ships with a 30-day return window.* We only carry equipment with a proven track record, so returns are rare — but the safety net is always there.
Want to dig deeper before you talk to us? Browse clinical research, watch protocol videos, and explore training materials at Laser-Therapy.US — or download our free app on Apple and Android.
Find the Right Laser for Your Application
Not sure where to start? Our buyer's guides break it down by use case so you can compare systems that actually fit what you do:
- Professional clinic lasers vs. home-use systems
- Broad coverage therapy vs. acupuncture and trigger point work
- Unattended therapy setups for high-volume practices
- Dental-specific laser systems
- Equine and veterinary applications
Our cold laser comparison guide covers every major system on the market — including products we don't carry — so you can make a fully informed decision.
Not sure which laser is right for you?
Call us or send a message. We'll ask a few questions about your practice and give you a straight answer — no pressure, no pitch.
Cold Laser Therapy: A Comprehensive Guide
Everything you need to know about photobiomodulation, from the science behind ATP production to choosing the right wavelength, power level, and treatment protocols for your specific needs.
The core of laser therapy is based on using lasers to drive a specific wavelength of light energy into the cells to directly stimulate the mitochondria (a light-sensitive component inside every cell) to convert glucose into ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
ATP is considered by biologists to be the "energy currency of life." It is the high-energy molecule that stores the energy our bodies need to do just about everything, including cellular motion, cellular division, protein synthesis, and repair.
Additional Research Findings
Other research shows laser therapy results in:
- Manipulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity
- Suppression of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-8
- Upregulation of growth factor production such as PDGF, IGF-1, NGF and FGF-2
- Alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential due to chromophores in the respiratory chain
- Stimulation of protein kinase C (PKC) activation
- Manipulation of NF-κB activation
- Direct bacteriotoxic effect mediated by induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS)
- Modification of extracellular matrix components
- Inhibition of apoptosis
- Stimulation of mast cell degranulation
- Upregulation of heat shock proteins
If you analyze the entire cold laser market, you will find there are basically 4 different philosophies of what makes a laser great:
Optimum Dosage (Joules)
This is the core technology of photobiostimulation. ColdLasers.Org agrees that proper dosage is the core technology of photobiomodulation, and probably has the highest correlation to efficacy.
Pulsing Technology
Pulsing adds an extra dimension to lasers and allows them to deliver higher peak energy levels while still being safe. In some applications, pulsing frequency is of utmost importance. Pulsing can also make it harder for the body to become resistant to the therapy, making it more important for longer-term treatment plans.
Note: This feature is great to tweak results but is over-hyped by some manufacturers. Systems that only focus on pulsing often provide inconsistent results.
Multiple Wavelengths
Different wavelengths interact with the body in different ways. Every manufacturer says they have the best wavelength, ranging from 1350nm to 400nm. 90% of professional therapy lasers operate in the 620nm to 980nm range.
Research shows there is a sweet spot at 800 to 810nm which provides the best efficiency for driving energy deep while still getting a photo-chemical reaction. We call 808/810nm a primary wavelength. If you can only have one, this is the one you want.
Treatment Protocols
Results are only as good as the protocols (treatment plans) used. The best practice is to adjust for laser specs, condition, skin color, patient size, chronicity, and pain level. Better protocols will also allow custom pulsing to achieve secondary goals beyond ATP production.
After years of working with tens of thousands of people, it's obvious that all these factors are part of the equation. The therapy laser market is mostly established ethical companies, but there are a few sketchy hyper-marketing companies. When comparing lasers, it is wise to buy based on specifications more than marketing claims.
The single most important factor in successful laser therapy is getting the right dosage. Special pulsing and wavelengths can help tweak the laser for maximum results, but dosage of the right wavelength is the biggest key to success.
Just like in the pharmaceutical industry, delivering the correct dosage is the difference between success and failure. If the dosage is too little, nothing happens. If the dosage is too high, we don't worry about a life-threatening overdose, but we waste time and money and sometimes get less positive results.
Dosage for laser therapy is measured in total joules or joules/cm² at the depth of the damaged area. Larger treatment areas and deeper areas require more dosage.
When Turner and Hode analyzed all the unsuccessful studies on LLLT that people use to discredit laser therapy, they found in every case that the dosage was too low — they should not have shown positive results.
Sample Dosage Requirements
This table illustrates how treatment area and depth increase the required dosage, and then power determines the treatment time:
| Condition | Area (cm²) | Depth (cm) | Dosage (J) | Time @ 0.1W | Time @ 1W | Time @ 10W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritic Thumb | 6 | 0–2 | 10–300 | 10–50 mins | 1–5 mins | <60 sec |
| Low Back Pain | 77 | 2–6 | 300–10,000 | 0.8–27 hrs | 5–166 mins | 1–16 mins |
| Diabetic Neuropathy | 1200 | 0–2 | 1,000–26,000 | 2.6–72 hrs | 16–433 mins | 1–43 mins |
This illustrates why larger, deeper, and more complex conditions require more powerful lasers to deliver an appropriate dosage in a reasonable amount of time.
Each wavelength interacts with the cells in your body in a unique way. Some people say that higher wavelengths go deeper, but the light absorption curve shows this is not always true because some wavelengths are rapidly absorbed by specific molecules.
This wavelength (especially 808/810nm) is best for increasing cytochrome C oxidase and ATP production. We consider 810nm to be the primary wavelength for most applications. It provides the best combination of depth of penetration and photo-chemical reaction. If you can only buy one wavelength, 808/810nm is the one.
Best for more superficial therapies and absorption by the blood. This wavelength is better for treating abrasions, bruises, superficial cuts, and dermatitis. Erchonia™, Aura™, and Avant™ emphasize this wavelength, while many other manufacturers use it as a supplemental wavelength.
Best at interacting with hemoglobin, water, melanin, and cytochrome C oxidase. Most manufacturers target "increasing oxygenation in the blood" at 915nm. At this wavelength, much of the emphasis is on pulsing technology.
This range has lower efficiency for deep photo-chemical reaction since much of the energy is absorbed by water and converted into heat. It has become "the standard" for pain clinics and neuropathy centers because much of the energy is absorbed near the surface where we have pain sensors.
Absorbed by the primary chromophores with lower depth of penetration, making it a good third wavelength for maximum pain control.
Violet and blue wavelengths are used for anti-bacterial and anti-viral applications. Used by Erchonia™ (405nm), Avant (405nm), Klaser (445nm), and Biophotonica (450nm).
The majority of therapy lasers worldwide are either in the 800–860nm or 905–910nm range. 905nm was made popular by Multiradiance (TerraQuant and MR4 lasers) and they have sold more systems than anyone else in the industry.
Lasers can be either continuous wave or pulsing output. Continuous wave means the laser is turned on 100% of the time during treatment, while a pulsing laser turns on and off very quickly.
Pulsing is Defined by 2 Variables:
Pulsing Frequency
Measured in Hz — how many times it turns on in one second
Duty Cycle
Measured as a percentage of ON time to total time
There is little consensus about the best pulsing frequency, but research shows that pulsing is best for most applications, with the exception of nervous system tissue damage where CW is best.
The average pulsing setup is 25Hz to 500Hz with a 50% duty cycle. "Super-pulsing" lasers have a much lower duty cycle but very high peak power. Most cheaper lasers are continuous wave output only.
The dosage of laser energy is measured in joules [J] and equals the power in watts multiplied by treatment time. A 1-watt continuous wave laser delivers 1 Joule/second at the surface.
Treatment Time by Power Level
| Laser Power | Rate (J/min) | 50 J | 500 J | 1,500 J | 5,000 J | 15,000 J |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 mW | 0.3 | 2.7 hrs | 1.1 days | 3.4 days | 11 days | 33 days |
| 100 mW | 6 | 8 min | 83 min | 4.2 hrs | 13 hrs | 39 hrs |
| 500 mW | 30 | 1.6 min | 16 min | 50 min | 2.7 hrs | 8.1 hrs |
| 1 W | 60 | 50 sec | 8.3 min | 25 min | 83 min | 4.1 hrs |
| 5 W | 240 | 10 sec | 1.6 min | 6.5 min | 4 min | 12 min |
| 10 W | 600 | 5 sec | 50 sec | 3 min | 8 min | 24 min |
| 30 W | 1800 | 2 sec | 12 sec | 1 min | 2.6 min | 7.8 min |
| 60 W | 3600 | <1 sec | 12 sec | 30 sec | 1.5 min | 4.5 min |
Pink = unreasonably long Blue = optimal speed
Too Little Power
There are many inexpensive over-the-counter lasers that might help with small issues but are drastically underpowered for many cases. With a 1mW system, it takes 5.7 days to achieve 500 joules at the surface. These low-powered lasers are often more powerful than LED therapy systems but massively underpowered compared to professional systems.
Our general rule: "If it looks like a laser pointer, it's probably a laser pointer."
Higher Power Benefits
As long as you can keep skin temperature in the desired range (warm but not hot), there is no such thing as having too much power. Higher power lasers provide shorter treatment times and/or higher dosages. If you double the power, you halve the treatment time — that really adds up with frequent use.
Why Some Lasers Are Ineffective
Many laser companies make a huge mistake on their protocols. They use WALT recommended target energy (4–8 joules "at depth") as the requirement for the laser output. This is incorrect.
At a depth of 1 inch (2.54 cm), up to 80% of the energy has already been absorbed on its way to the damaged area. To get 8 joules/cm² at depth can require 26 joules/cm² at the surface. Since most systems have a treatment area of about 1 inch² (6.4 cm²), the laser should output 167 joules for a single point.
There are 3 basic styles for treatment using cold lasers. Each treatment style has different goals and equipment requirements. In many cases, the same condition can be treated with totally different strategies.
Pinpoint Treatment
Treatment of meridians, trigger points, acupoints, small body parts, or lymph system. The cold laser is used similarly to acupuncture to trigger a reaction by stimulating an acupoint — often called "acupuncture with a laser beam." LLL laser puncture treatments trigger acupoints without the fear or pain of needles.
Direct/Broad Treatment
A cold laser with a broad focus (larger than a dime) and correct wavelength penetrates deep tissue with photons to directly energize the area. Typically done by moving the laser, with skin contact preferred. Larger emitters increase chances of stimulating damaged "hot spots," reduce treatment time, and provide more even energy distribution.
Hands-Free Treatment
The emitter is fixed and diverged to treat a larger area. There are losses as the beam diverges and travels through air, so treatment times must increase. For home users who can't reach treatment areas (like the mid-back), lower-power hands-free systems are a good option. Terraquant, Avant, Klaser, and many other brands offer hands-free therapy.
Some say that higher power lasers push energy deeper, but this is not technically correct. All lasers of a similar wavelength lose energy at the same rate as it travels through tissue. The power level controls how fast energy builds up at that depth.
Comparison Example: 1mW vs 10,000mW Laser
For treating a small deep tissue problem like a torn meniscus at 2cm depth (where 84% of energy is lost):
- 10,000mW system: Puts in 2 joules/second at depth — reaches recommended dosage in less than 6 seconds
- 1mW system: Puts in 0.00016 joules/second — takes over 2 hours to treat a single point
It's more technically correct to say that higher power systems push faster, not deeper.
Actual Depth Numbers
The RATS (reflection, absorption, transmission, and scatter) curve approaches zero slowly, so technically manufacturers can claim any depth. In practice:
- 600–660nm (Red): Shallow penetration, more than 1 inch depth visible
- 800–860nm: Expect 16% of energy still available at 2cm depth, some energy transmitted at 3–5cm
- Beyond these depths, chemical migration from photobiomodulation still occurs
All lasers are classified according to the international specification IEC 60825. The more potential for eye damage, the higher the classification. Class 4 lasers (typically over 500mW CW per beam) have the greatest potential for eye damage; Class 1 has no potential for eye damage.
No potential for eye damage. Safest option, typically for home use.
Very low risk. Safe with normal blink response.
Moderate power. Effective for clinical settings, requires safety protocols.
High power. Shortest treatment times, highest dosages, requires rigorous safety protocols.
Power level is a key factor, but higher class doesn't always mean better. Higher classes typically mean:
- More expensive
- Shorter treatment times
- Can deliver higher dosages for better results
Many higher power lasers use optics to diverge the beam (typically 10–30 degrees), creating a larger treatment area. By spreading energy over a larger area, the product becomes easier to use, provides more even energy distribution, and is safer for the eyes.
There is a lot of confusion about tissue heating and potential for damage from therapeutic lasers. It can and does happen, but much of the risk is fear-based marketing generated by lower power laser manufacturers.
- Risk of tissue heating with Class 1, 2, or 3 FDA-cleared therapeutic lasers is extremely low
- No significant heating concerns with Class 4 when used according to manufacturer recommendations
- For divergent lasers below about 4,000mW (4W), extremely low chance of significant heating for most skin types
- Most Class 4 lasers with 10+ watts require keeping the emitter moving during use
Heating Potential Increases If:
It's very rare that anyone will do enough things wrong (static, CW max-power collimated treatment) to have a problem. For most therapies, you want to cover an area 4 to 40 times the emitter diameter, so you need to move the laser anyway.
The trade-off: In exchange for this manageable risk, you get the opportunity to produce almost instantaneous results. A 10-watt system delivering 600 joules per minute can put 2,400 joules into the total treatment area in about 4 minutes — producing much stronger responses than lower power lasers.
The FDA-cleared applications for almost all cold lasers (also called low-level lasers, soft lasers, or therapy lasers) are:
Some manufacturers have extended claims to include accelerated healing, but that is not an FDA-cleared claim.
Important: What NOT to Advertise
Cold lasers should not be advertised or marketed for cosmetic enhancement, weight loss, cancer treatment, hair regrowth, or any other alternative health claims. We highly recommend only advertising FDA-cleared applications to avoid potential legal ramifications.
The Numbers
- Over 4,000 positive published studies, dozens of books, and hundreds of videos showing efficacy
- Over 50 different cold laser manufacturers with FDA-cleared products
- Over one million lasers currently in the hands of professionals and home users
- Cold lasers have been used worldwide for over 30 years and in the US since 2001
- Considering that approximately 28% of Americans experience ongoing pain, cold laser therapy presents substantial potential
We have sold systems to several branches of the U.S. military, the Veterans Administration, the US Indian Health Services, and many medical doctors (MDs).
Treatment times typically range from 7 seconds to 40 minutes, with most therapies averaging 12 minutes. Most therapies require 1 to 6 treatment locations and an average course is 12 to 24 treatments.
Why Treatment Time Matters
- For those with 2 bad knees or widespread arthritis, total treatment time can really add up
- For home use, treatment times are typically not an issue since users can perform therapy while relaxing or watching TV
- In a doctor's office, treatment times can be a major factor in practice efficiency
Beware of Misleading Protocols
It's common practice for low-power laser manufacturers to specify shorter-than-optimum treatment times because no one would buy a product if they knew it would take 24 hours a day to reach reasonable energy levels. The result: patients never get close to reasonable dosage and think LLLT is not effective.
Protocol Libraries
A complete protocol (treatment plan) library is key for new cold laser owners. Some manufacturers have created "cookbook-style" protocol manuals or internal libraries. Others give general guidelines and allow professionals to develop their own treatment plans.
To ensure success, we include a free membership in Laser-Therapy.US with every purchase. With over 250 dynamically-created pictorial protocols (for humans, horses, and dogs) and a therapy timer, it's one of the best sources for learning how to use a laser on a wide variety of problems.
The general consensus is that higher dosages provide superior pain control, but recovery is based on accumulated dosage, not one-time dosage. This means many lower-dose therapies can achieve the same long-term results as fewer higher-dosage treatments.
Immediate Pain Relief
Higher dosages per session provide the "wow factor." Many practitioners start with higher doses to ensure patients notice a change in the first few sessions — since patients may give up if they don't feel noticeable improvement early on.
Long-Term Recovery
Based on accumulated dosage over time. Can take weeks or months of therapy. Some patients are patient enough to stick with the plan long-term for permanent improvement.
Since long-term results can take weeks or months, it's best to develop reasonable expectations at the beginning of therapy.
Typical Costs
- Average cold laser therapy session: $30 to $200
- Average cold laser purchase price: $2,000 to $30,000
- Return on investment (ROI) can be as little as 3 months
Insurance: Billing for Services
Some cold laser therapies qualify for insurance reimbursement using standard CPT codes. The most common is 97026 (infrared therapy). Cold laser therapy performed by a licensed practitioner can typically be paid for using an HSA account.
Insurance: Purchasing a Laser
The purchase of cold laser devices may be covered by some insurance plans using HCPCS code E1399 (generic durable medical device). In worst case, it's possible to force an insurance company to pay for a laser through the court system — though this process can take about 1 year.
Because cold lasers help activate human and animal tissue at a cellular level, they can be used for a wide variety of applications:
You can use the research tool at Laser-Therapy.US to search for published scientific studies, books, videos, and other resources for specific conditions.
Unlike hot medical lasers (used to cut and cauterize tissue), Low Level Lasers penetrate the surface of the skin with minimal heating effect. In most cases, cold laser therapy is considered an alternative therapy like acupuncture, massage, chiropractic care, herbal medicine, and physical therapy — because it doesn't require surgery or a life-long prescription.
Ready to explore cold laser therapy?
Our team can help you find the right system for your specific needs, budget, and treatment goals.