What is Dual Wavelength in Laser Therapy?
There’s a lot of laser therapy devices on the market, which makes choosing the one that’s right for your practice a challenge. One of the benefits of laser therapy is that it helps treats a wide variety of conditions, making the right laser therapy system a versatile tool and worthwhile investment.
One type of laser available for therapeutic applications is a dual wavelength laser system. How are these different from other types of laser systems? Let’s take a look at the role wavelength plays in the therapeutic application of lasers and how dual wavelength systems give providers more versatility in one device.
Importance of Wavelength in Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is an effective treatment in part because the light emitted from the device is monochromatic, or a single color, which determines the light’s effect on a substance. Substances are particular about the light they absorb. Light that isn’t absorbed is either reflected, scattered, or transmitted. For example, ultraviolet light gets absorbed by melanocytes in the skin, which produces melanin that darkens the skin. Other tissues in the body don’t absorb ultraviolet light, so ultraviolet light doesn’t have any photochemical effect on those parts of the body.
The color of light is determined by its wavelength, and laser therapy systems utilize light in the red and near-infrared spectrums to produce a photochemical effect in the right tissues. Aspen Laser therapy systems use laser light with wavelengths of 810nm and 980nm.
Why 810nm & 980nm?
We’ve chosen 810nm and 980nm as the wavelengths for our therapy systems because they lie on peaks in the light-water absorption curve, meaning they are more readily absorbed by water, which is in all biological tissue. With greater absorption by water, these wavelengths have a greater penetration depth, which allows photochemical reactions deeper in the body because less light is reflected or scattered.
Dual Wavelength: Defined
In general, dual wavelength refers to a laser device that can emit two different wavelengths of light. Dual wavelength lasers serve a variety of purposes, including lasers used for therapeutic applications, dermatological and cosmetic applications, and industrial applications (although these lasers are much more powerful than lasers used on people and animals).
Dual wavelength systems can have two wavelengths that are operated independent of one another or systems where both wavelengths are used in combination with one another. Some dual wavelength devices can operate both wavelengths independently or separately, but depending on the devices and its purpose, it may only allow the operator to use wavelengths independently or combined, but not both.
Benefits of Dual Wavelength for Laser Therapy
Laser therapy relies on proper dosage for effective results. There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment for laser therapy, and each patient’s needs are unique. When a laser device has the capability to treat more conditions, that means there’s more patients a provider can help. The more versatile a medical device is, the easier it is to afford and pay off the device and generate revenue with it.
Wider Range of Treatment Protocols
A dual wavelength system gives providers a wider range of doses they can apply, giving them more treatment options. Multiple wavelengths provide different depths of penetration, allowing for treatment at the right depth. Studies show that the right area must be targeted by a laser at the right wavelength and power to achieve a therapeutic outcome, so a single wavelength device is limited the effect it can have on different conditions.
Cost-Effective, Versatile Systems
Dual wavelength lasers where the device can operate each wavelength independently is an effective combination of two devices in one and gives providers more usage out of a single device, helping the device to generate revenue faster for the practice.
Effective for Complex Injuries and Conditions
Dual wavelength lasers where the device can use both wavelengths in combination help treat more complex conditions. For example, an injury where several structures at varying depths are compromised can be treated with one device using multiple wavelengths at once. This also means shorter treatment appointment times, a bonus for provider and patient.
Aspen Laser Systems have the only true dual wavelength technology in our laser devices. Our dual wavelength models allow technicians to switch between 810nm and 980nm wavelengths as well as use both combined for the exact right dosage for each unique patient. Each of our laser system series has a dual wavelength model. Learn more through the link below.