The 10 Essential Factors of Choosing a Laser
Learn what defines a truly effective laser system and why not all devices are created equal
Understanding Laser Light
When most people hear the word laser they think of light, but not all light is the same.
Laser means Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Unlike ordinary light that scatters in all directions, laser light is coherent and precise. This distinction matters because in photobiomodulation therapy specific wavelengths and pulsed frequencies can interact with the body in targeted ways that support natural energy and regeneration.
Research has suggested that Low Light Laser Therapy (LLLT) may influence cellular processes such as ATP production, often referred to as the body’s energy molecule. This helps explain why lasers have become one of the most researched subjects of the past decade for their role in supporting the body’s natural repair and recovery processes.
Precision is the key. Wavelengths, frequencies, power, placement, frequency and timing must align for a laser to perform at its highest potential. Not every device that shines light is capable of this level of design. That is why we outline ten essential factors to consider when choosing a laser.
What Can Lasers Do?
LLLT has been investigated in many areas of science and medicine. Research has reported beneficial effects across a wide range of applications:
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Healing of acute wounds (Hopkins et al. 2004) and chronic wounds (Yu et al. 1997)
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Acceleration of cutaneous wound healing in animal models (Corazza et al. 2007)
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Stimulation of nerves (Gigo-Benato et al. 2004), tendons (Fillipin et al. 2005), cartilage (Morrone et al. 2000), bones (Weber et al. 2006), and internal organs (Shao et al. 2005)
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Reduction of pain (Bjordal et al. 2006a), inflammation (Bjordal et al. 2006b), and swelling (Carati et al. 2003)
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Support in recovery after stroke (Lampl et al. 2007; Lapchak et al. 2008), traumatic brain injury (Oron et al. 2007), and spinal cord injury (Wu et al. 2009)
These studies highlight the diversity of research into laser therapy. The consistent theme is that outcomes depend on precision, and the PRO VX was engineered with that exact principle in mind.
References summarized from: Chung H, Dai T, Sharma SK, Huang YY, Carroll JD, Hamblin MR. “The nuts and bolts of low-level laser (light) therapy.” Ann Biomed Eng. 2012;40(2):516–533. PMC2790317
Dive into the science behind photobiomodulation and the 10 Essential Factors of choosing a laser. Select a section below to jump to specific studies and findings.
1. True Laser Coherence
LED's are Not Lasers
LEDs and lasers are not the same. LEDs produce non-coherent light that scatters in all directions and fades at the surface. Lasers produce coherent beams that stay organized as they travel and, because of this, they can penetrate much deeper into tissue.
Light Penetration
Penetration and depth are one of the clearest differences between the two. LED light only reaches the outer layers of skin, while a laser beam can maintain its intensity and deliver energy several inches into the body¹.
Why it matters: Without coherence and penetration, light cannot reach deeper tissues or provide meaningful results. This is why LEDs and light therapy devices cannot be considered true lasers.
Scattered vs Coherent Beams
LEDs produce scattered light, much like car headlights spreading across a wall. Lasers create coherent beams, like a pinpoint of light that stays sharp and focused over distance.
Analogy: Car Headlights
Low beams represent scattered light therapy devices. High beams represent LEDs, still scattered but slightly farther. Lasers are like the pinpoint intensity of the sun’s rays, traveling long distances without losing coherence.
This distinction explains why LEDs weaken almost immediately while lasers keep their strength and accuracy as they penetrate deeper².
Learn more about the science behind this topic in our Research Library.
#2: FDA Clearance
What FDA clearance means
FDA clearance means that a device has been reviewed and meets strict safety and performance standards. This distinguishes it from devices that have not gone through the same regulatory process.
Blue Honest Inc. is FDA cleared, and our lasers are cleared under this same standard, meeting the requirements for safety and reliability.
Why it matters: FDA clearance separates regulated medical equipment from general wellness gadgets. It gives practitioners and buyers a reliable standard to reference.
Learn more about the science behind this topic in our Research Library.
#3: Wavelengths + Nanometers
The Foundation of Light
Every wavelength of light is measured in nanometers (nm). These numbers define both the color of the light and how deeply it penetrates.
Most therapeutic lasers rely on just one or two wavelengths. For example, 808 nm infrared penetrates well, and 635 nm red is strongly absorbed by the body. But stopping there limits the laser to pain and inflammation.
Full Spectrum Precision
The PRO VX includes a full spectrum of diodes across violet, blue, green, red, bright red, and infrared wavelengths. This range makes it capable of supporting regeneration in addition to pain relief³.
ATP: The Regeneration Chemical
Lasers stimulate mitochondria, the powerhouses of the cell. Inside mitochondria, light energy moves through the electron transport chain, producing ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP is the body’s regeneration chemical⁴.
No other laser is designed to stimulate all four complexes of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. The PRO VX stands alone in doing so, engaging Complex I, II, III, and IV⁵. By activating the entire chain, it supports more complete mitochondrial function, driving efficient ATP production and promoting deeper repair and regeneration rather than temporary results.
Therapeutic Wavelength Spectrum
Electron Transport Chain
Precision Through the Full Spectrum
Different wavelengths activate different biological responses. Infrared 808 nm reaches deep into tissue⁶, while 635 nm red is easily absorbed by the human body⁷. Violet, blue, and green wavelengths trigger additional pathways, each adding to the system’s overall effect⁸.
By including the entire visible spectrum plus infrared, the PRO VX is able to precisely target multiple cellular processes rather than just pain and inflammation⁹. This precision is what separates it from typical limited wavelength devices.
Why it matters: Wavelengths and nanometers may be the most important factor in a laser, because they determine how the body absorbs and responds to the light.
Why Stop There?
Most lasers are designed around pain and inflammation. That is where they stop. The PRO VX goes further. Its full-spectrum diode array with accurate nanometers means it can activate all four mitochondrial complexes, fueling ATP production in ways other devices cannot¹⁰.
The result is not just surface relief, but a system designed to encourage deeper repair and regeneration¹¹.
#3: Wavelengths + Nanometers
The Foundation of Light
Every wavelength of light is measured in nanometers (nm). These numbers define both the color of the light and how deeply it penetrates.
Most therapeutic lasers rely on just one or two wavelengths. For example, 808 nm infrared penetrates well, and 635 nm red is strongly absorbed by the body. But stopping there limits the laser to pain and inflammation.
Full Spectrum Percision
The PRO VX includes a full spectrum of diodes across violet, blue, green, red, bright red, and infrared wavelengths. This range makes it capable of supporting regeneration in addition to pain relief³.
Why it matters: Wavelengths and nanometers may be the most important factor in a laser, because they determine how the body absorbs and responds to the light.
#5: Pulsed Frequencies
Frequency Matters
Music is created and heard through frequencies, chakras are frequencies, and your telephone, radio, and television all tune into frequencies. Every living thing on earth - including every tissue in every human, animal, and plant - oscillates at specific frequencies. This is also true for bacteria, viruses, protozoa, parasites, fungi, and mold.
If you want to “dial in” a laser to perfection, you need pulsed frequencies that correspond to what you want to enhance or eliminate. The Blue Honest PRO VX incorporates 736 total frequencies, making precise targeting simple and effective.
Why it matters: Pulsed frequencies allow the PRO VX to be tuned to specific needs. This level of precision is what makes it more versatile than devices limited to continuous light or very narrow settings.
#7: Dosage and Duration
The Role of Dosage
Laser therapy follows the Arndt–Schulz Law, also called the biphasic dose response. Too little energy produces little or no biological effect, while too much can cancel the benefits. The best results occur when the dose is within an optimal range, where cellular activity is stimulated rather than suppressed²².
Energy is measured in Joules, calculated as watts × seconds. Both power and exposure time must be balanced to stay within this therapeutic window. Delivering the right amount of energy at the right depth ensures that tissues receive effective stimulation without over-saturation.
Why it matters: Timing is as important as power. A properly dosed protocol maximizes benefit, while underdosing or overdosing reduces effectiveness.
#9: Humans + Animals
Humans and Animals
The PRO VX is designed to work for both humans and animals. The protocols included are specific to each and show how the same technology can be applied safely across different species.
Settings are programmed with the flexibility to target human conditions as well as veterinary applications. The system provides detailed guidance so practitioners and pet owners know exactly how to adapt the laser for either.
Why it matters: Having both human and animal protocols in one device increases versatility and value. This makes the PRO VX suitable for clinics and practices that serve both people and animals.