Wound Care & Laser Therapy
How red light wavelengths can support wound management—with important caveats about FDA clearance and realistic expectations.
Content Warning: This page contains images of severe wounds that may be disturbing to some viewers.
Important: Results may vary. The case study below showed positive results, but that does not mean everyone will get the same outcome. Lasers are not specifically FDA cleared for accelerating wound repair. Lasers are FDA cleared for reducing inflammation, reducing pain, and increasing blood flow.
Case Study: Diabetic Wound
The following was submitted by a customer who purchased a system in mid-2021. The patient is 83 years old with severe diabetic wounds that would not respond to treatment. They had been doing traditional wound management for more than 6 months on this wound—and it continued to get worse.
It was an urgent situation, so we expedited a laser and asked them to take pictures so we could track any changes. They did not change any other factors in the care plan other than adding laser therapy.
Day before laser therapy started
One week later
What Wavelengths Are Best for Wound Care?
Unlike deep structural problems that are best treated with 810nm to boost ATP production, wounds are very shallow. 810nm is not the first choice for this application.
Recommended: 630–670nm (Visible Red)
Because we want as much energy absorbed right at the surface, visible red light is preferred—just like in other shallow applications such as skin rejuvenation. Different manufacturers offer slightly different wavelengths in this range, and while they interact with tissue in slightly different ways, they all produce similar results.
Alternatives
810–915nm
If a laser doesn't offer 630–670nm, these are acceptable alternatives. Much of the light energy will pass through the target area as it's slowly absorbed, but it can still be effective.
980–1250nm
Generally too hot and can cause irritation. Avoid for wound care applications.
The key: Red laser in the 600nm range provides shallow penetration, so energy goes only where it's needed. If you don't have a red laser, you can still use IR, but efficiency will be lower.
What Power Level Is Appropriate?
Wound management is very different from treating deep structural damage. This application does not require a lot of power. Because wounds are shallow, we don't have to worry about losses as light travels deep into tissue.
Class 1–3B Often Best for This Application
Because dosages are very low for wound care, Class 1–3B lasers can be as effective as Class 4 systems—with less chance of unwanted heating. Heating during therapy can be very painful for wound patients, so Class 4 practitioners should turn their systems way down.
What About LEDs for Wound Care?
Yes, LED therapy systems can be used for wound management. However, because LEDs produce non-coherent light and often don't pulse effectively, they're considered a secondary option.
Laser
~2 watts effective for wound care
LED
May require 200+ watts for comparable effect
LED systems have much different power level requirements. 2 watts of LED is nothing like 2 watts of laser due to coherence and efficiency differences.
Key Takeaways
Use red wavelengths (630–670nm) for shallow penetration where energy stays at the wound surface.
Keep power low (≤2W)—wounds are thermally sensitive and don't require deep penetration.
Class 1–3B lasers work well for this application. Class 4 users should reduce power significantly.
LEDs are a secondary option—they work but require much higher wattage than lasers.
This is not an FDA cleared application. Results vary and lasers are only cleared for pain, inflammation, and blood flow.
Questions about laser therapy for wound support?
We can help you find the right wavelengths and power levels for your specific situation.