With responsible use (i.e., not pointing the beam directly into the eye), the level of light energy emitted from the LZ30 family of lasers is not sufficient to damage human cells. Normally functioning cells do not respond to the laser light of your LZ30 Laser. This is a general rule but there may be exceptions. Common Sense is important in laser therapy. If a treatment creates undue discomfort from heat or light sensitivity, lower the treatment time, move the laser to a different location on the body or cease the treatment altogether.
Infrared (IR) mode is used for a therapeutic tissue response. Therapy will address the reduction in symptoms such as pain and inflammation. The light will be absorbed deeper in the tissue than the Red (R) light mode. When using the laser in IR, which is invisible to the human eye, a red tracer beam has been added to avoid accidental eye exposure.
Red (R) mode is used for a rehabilitative tissue response. The cells in our bodies have been shown to communicate in the red light wavelength, which is one of the wavelengths the LZ30 operates at. In this mode, the laser is used to “normalize” cellular function. If the target tissue is not functioning normally (i.e., tight muscles), the application of the laser in Red mode will help to normalize the target tissue.
When turning the beam on, the laser will always start in Red mode unless the desired preset is only available in Infrared mode. With the beam on, click once in the Up direction to toggle from Red to Infrared. The display will show the “R” icon has switched to “IR”. The laser is now in Infrared mode. To change back to Red mode, click once in the Down direction. The display will change from “IR” to “R”.
It is a matter of personal preference, but there are distinct advantages of holding the laser in one spot as opposed to “painting” or “scanning” the area. The laser should be against the skin when possible. Doing so will increase the dose of light entering the target tissue. The further away the laser is away from the skin, the greater the area that is exposed, but at the cost of a decreased concentration of light at the desired treatment point. It is not advised to contact the skin if there is a condition present that precludes you from touching the skin with the laser (i.e., shingles, open wounds, etc.).
Another advantage is that you will experience less muscle fatigue from supporting the laser with your arm instead of resting it on the body part to be treated.
If the goal is to reduce pain or inflammation, it is suggested that the first treatment should be approximately two minutes per area. If there is no reduction in pain, add a minute or two the second treatment. Increase until there is a reduction in pain. Usually, 2-7 minutes is the range of effectiveness, but results may vary depending on the skin pigmentation and body size.
Higher doses are more effective, for most applications. If time permits, you can treat every day. Since the effects of laser therapy on tissue often depend on subsequent treatments, it is recommended that treatments are once a day to every other day.