Learn About the Difference Between LED and Laser Delivery
The First Law of Photodynamics states that light must be absorbed to be effective.[1] For light to be absorbed, it must have the right level of intensity at the skin. This intensity is called irradiance. Irradiance over time is a standard measure of the Photobiomodulation dose, which we calculate in Joules. Think of a joule like 10 milligrams of aspirin.
Lasers produce coherent or highly focused light. Lasers can cut and burn, and they can penetrate deep into cells to help reduce pain in joints. Cold Lasers are non-invasive lasers that may be better suited to penetrate deep into a joint and reduce pain in that joint.
LED Light Therapy Beds produce incoherent or scattered light in very intense yet specific light therapy energy (wavelengths). LED Light Therapy can be fierce enough to penetrate 2–4 cm into the body and be absorbed by the tissues, organs, and systems of the body, creating systemic changes.
Additionally, LED Light Therapy delivers the correct dose of energy because the distance is precisely adjustable with an adjustable canopy. On the bench, we know exactly how far the LEDs are from the skin. On an adjustable canopy, we can pull the lights closer to a thin body and leave them open for a thicker body. So, while lasers provide coherent, focused energy, LED therapy produces relatively accurate, dose-specific, and multi-wave energy in cohesive light.
The Science Behind LED and Laser Treatment
Infrared light penetrates farthest (deeper tissues, organs, and bone), red penetrates the skin (dermal layer and wound healing). At the same time, green and blue are more intense energies that have lower levels of penetration, yet may positively affect surface and wound healing.[2]
Studies have shown that LASERS and LEDs can have similar effects depending on the intensity. Lasers are much more effective for invasive procedures designed to cut or burn, and they can be more effective in relieving deeper joint pain. LEDs are non-invasive (they do not cut or burn), but researchers suggest that the right dose can provide similar pain-relieving benefits, along with additional systemic benefits.
LED Light Therapy may affect the entire body by reducing inflammation, improving cellular detoxification, and circulation of nutrients. This broad root cause of light therapy can affect nearly every tissue, organ, and system in the body.
LED/Non-Coherent Light vs Lasers Clinical Trial Comparisons
LED Light Therapy is a source of systemic photobiomodulation for the entire body. LED Light Therapy stimulates the flow of energy into the whole body. Lasers pinpoint focused energy (coherent) into a joint if spot.
The chart below (from a study published in 2018) suggests that the benefits from full-body photobiomodulation can be very similar to the benefits from laser treatment.[3] There’s no doubt about it – light heals.
| Study | Methodology | Indication | LED/non-coherent | LASER parameters | Results |
| Panhoca (2015) [107] | Comparison trial, uncontrolled | Temporomandibular disorder | 630 and 850; 150 mW; 300 mW/cm2; 18 J/cm2; 9 J/point | 780 nm; 70 mW; 1700 mW/cm2; 105 J/cm2; 4.2 J/point | There were no significant differences in pain scores and maximum oral aperture between groups at baseline or at any period after treatment. |
| Freitas (2014) [108] | Comparison trial, uncontrolled | Oral mucositis | 630 nm; 80mW; 0.24 J/point; 1 cm2 | 660 nm; 40 mW; 6.6 J/cm2; 0.24 J/point; 0.036 cm2 | LED and laser both were effective in alleviating oral mucositis scores, but LED had more pronounced effects. |
| Ammar (2014) [109] | Comparison trial, uncontrolled | Knee osteoarthritis | 890 nm; 62.4 J/cm2; 180 cm2 | 850 nm; 100 mW; 0.76 mm2 | LED and laser both appeared to be similarly effective in reducing pain and increasing physical function. |
| Esper (2011) [110] | RCT | Orthodontic pain | 640 nm; 100 mW; 4 J/cm2; 70 s | 660 nm; 30 mW; 4 J/cm2; 25 s | LED was effective in reducing orthodontic pain, while laser was not. The laser dose (radiant energy) may have been too small. |
| Lizarelli (2010) [111] | RCT, double-blind | Dentin hypersensitivity | 630 nm; 25 mW; 5.4 J/cm2; 4 mm2 | 660 nm; 25 mW; 5.4 J/cm2; 4 mm2 | LED and laser were equally effective in the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity. |
| Lima (2016) [112] | RCT, double-blind | Pain after surgery | 640 nm; 70 mW; 10.1 J; 6 J/cm2; 1.77 cm2; 1216 s [Note: Wavelength reported in abstract contradicts the wavelength provided in the full text.] | 660 nm; 40 mW; 2.4 J; 6 J/cm2; 0.4 cm2; 480 s [Note: Wavelength reported in abstract contradicts the wavelength provided in the full text.] | LED and laser were both effective in decreasing pain on the 6th and 8th postoperative day. |
| Leal Junior (2009) [113] | RCT, double-blind, crossover | Exercise physiology | 660 + 850 nm; 34 red diodes and 35 near-infrared diodes; 1390 mW; 83.4 J; 6.0 J/cm2; 60 s | 810 nm; 1 laser diode; 200 mW; 12 J; 164.84 J/cm2; 60 s | LED decreased post-exercise creatine kinase, but neither LED nor laser had effects on exercise performance or blood lactate levels. |
| Lima (2017) [114] | RCT, double-blind | Sternotomy healing | 640 nm; 70 mW; 10.1 J; 6 J/cm2; 1.77 cm2; 1216 s [Note: Wavelength reported in abstract contradicts the wavelength provided in the full text.] | 660 nm; 40 mW; 2.4 J; 6 J/cm2; 0.4 cm2; 480 s [Note: Wavelength reported in abstract contradicts the wavelength provided in the full text.] | LED and laser both were effective in decreasing hyperemia and incision bleeding or dehiscence. |
The Benefits of LED Light Therapy
LED light therapy delivers several levels of wellness benefits by harnessing specific wavelengths to optimize cellular function, reduce inflammation, and accelerate healing processes throughout the body, to the effect of:[4]
- Skin rejuvenation and anti-aging: Collagen synthesis increases dramatically while fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots fade through targeted wavelengths that penetrate deep into dermal layers
- Accelerated wound healing: Tissue repair mechanisms activate more efficiently, reducing recovery time from cuts, bruises, surgical sites, and chronic wounds
- Pain and inflammation reduction: Chronic pain conditions, arthritis, and inflammatory disorders respond positively to LED therapy’s anti-inflammatory effects on affected tissues
- Enhanced athletic performance: Muscle recovery accelerates significantly while endurance and strength improve through optimized cellular energy production in muscle fibers
- Hair growth restoration: Dormant follicles reactivate while existing hair becomes thicker and healthier through improved blood circulation to the scalp
- Improved sleep patterns: Natural melatonin production receives support, helping regulate circadian rhythms for deeper, more restorative sleep cycles
- Mood and cognitive enhancement: Brain function benefits include reduced depression symptoms, improved memory, and enhanced mental clarity through neurological optimization
- Acne and skin condition treatment: Bacterial reduction occurs naturally while sebum production normalizes, clearing breakouts and improving overall skin texture
- Increased energy levels: Mitochondrial ATP production rises throughout the body, combating fatigue and boosting overall vitality for daily activities
- Enhanced immune function: Cellular repair processes strengthen while oxidative stress decreases, supporting the body’s natural defense mechanisms against illness and disease
The Benefits of Focused Laser Therapy
Focused laser therapy, meanwhile, harnesses specific wavelengths to deliver precise photobiomodulation treatments that penetrate deeper tissues with concentrated energy for enhanced therapeutic outcomes:[5]
- Targeted pain management: Class IV laser devices deliver concentrated photons directly to affected areas, providing superior pain relief for chronic conditions like osteoarthritis and low back pain
- Enhanced tissue repair: Coherent light penetrates deeper tissues more effectively than LED light, accelerating the healing process through optimized ATP production in mitochondria
- Precision wound healing: Monochromatic laser beams focus light energy exactly where needed, promoting faster tissue regeneration and reducing healing time for surgical sites
- Advanced skincare treatments: Dermatology applications benefit from laser technology’s ability to stimulate collagen production while minimizing fine lines through controlled irradiation
- Superior pain relief: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) provides non-thermal treatment that effectively manages chronic pain conditions without the side effects of pharmaceutical interventions
- Deeper tissue penetration: Near-infrared light from laser devices reaches muscles, joints, and organs that surface treatments cannot access effectively
- Hair growth restoration: Focused laser beams stimulate follicles more precisely than broader light sources, promoting robust hair growth through targeted photobiomodulation
- Professional-grade results: Healthcare providers achieve superior outcomes using laser treatment modalities that deliver concentrated therapeutic doses compared to home-use devices
- An accelerated healing process: Cold laser therapy optimizes cellular function in deeper tissues, enhancing the body’s natural repair mechanisms for comprehensive wellness
- Reduced inflammation: Infrared therapy through focused laser systems provides powerful anti-inflammatory effects that penetrate to the source of tissue damage for lasting relief
Are There Side Effects to Light and Laser Treatments?
Light and laser treatments maintain excellent safety profiles with minimal side effects when administered properly by trained healthcare professionals or used correctly at home. Most people experience no adverse reactions during photobiomodulation sessions, as the specific wavelengths used in LLLT and LED therapy don’t generate harmful heat or damage tissues like UV radiation.
Common mild side effects include temporary skin redness immediately following treatment, slight eye fatigue if protective eyewear isn’t worn, and occasional mild headaches. These effects typically resolve within minutes to hours.
More serious side effects remain rare but can occur with improper use, excessive treatment duration, or in people with specific contraindications. Overexposure to focused laser therapy may cause temporary skin irritation, burns from sitting too close to high-powered devices, or hyperpigmentation in darker skin tones. People taking photosensitizing medications or those with conditions like lupus may experience heightened sensitivity reactions to light treatments.
