MLS M6 Laser Therapy vs. Red-Light Panels: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters for Injury Healing
Red-light therapy panels are everywhere—gyms, wellness centers, spas, and even homes. They’re wonderful for relaxation and general wellness. But when you are dealing with real pain, inflammation, or an actual injury, they simply don’t have the depth, power, or medical precision needed for meaningful healing.
At Palmetto Chiropractic & Laser Center, we use the MLS Class IV Robotic Laser, one of the most advanced therapeutic lasers available today. While red-light panels have their place, the MLS Class IV lasers are in a completely different league for repairing tissue, reducing pain, and restoring function.
Here’s why.
1. MLS Class IV Laser = Medical-Grade Healing. Red-Light Panels = General Wellness.
Red-light panels use LED lights that emit wavelengths in the 630–670 nm (red) and 810–850 nm (near-infrared) range. These wavelengths are safe, gentle, and great for general recovery — but they are non-coherent, which means they scatter and lose intensity quickly.
The MLS Class IV Laser is different.
It uses:
808 nm continuous infrared for deep inflammation reduction
905 nm superpulsed infrared for rapid, deep penetration
PLUS 630 nm red light (bonus wavelength also found in many panels)
This creates a therapeutic synergy that panels simply cannot match.
2. Depth Matters — MLS Reaches Where Injuries Actually Are
Most injuries live below the surface, in tissues that panels cannot reach:
Muscles
Tendons
Ligaments
Joint capsules
Fascia
Nerves
Panels penetrate:
0.5–1 cm (red)
1–2 cm (NIR LED)
Great for skin.
Not deep enough for injury healing.
MLS Class IV Lasers penetrates several centimeters, reaching deep tissues without losing strength.
This is why many patients feel changes within 1–3 sessions.
3. Laser Coherence = Stronger, More Consistent Healing
LED panels = scattered light.
MLS laser = coherent, synchronized laser beams.
Coherent light:
Travels straighter
Penetrates deeper
Maintains therapeutic intensity
Interacts with cells more effectively
This is one reason MLS is used in clinical settings for true tissue repair, not just wellness.
4. MLS Provides True Medical Dosing — Panels Can’t
Healing requires a therapeutic dose measured in joules/cm².
Red-light panels — due to low power — cannot deliver enough joules to deeper tissues.
MLS allows clinicians to:
Select power
Select depth
Select wavelength combinations
Dose precisely based on your condition
MLS isn’t just “light.”
It’s medicine delivered through light.
5. MLS Requires a Licensed Provider
Because the MLS is a Class IV medical laser, it requires:
Clinical training
Safety protocols
Understanding of tissue depth
Medical oversight
Consumers can buy LED panels because they’re low-power, low-risk.
The MLS is different — and legally must be operated by licensed providers.
6. Why MLS Laser Treatments Cost More — And Why They’re Worth It
Red-light panel sessions are inexpensive because:
Devices are inexpensive
No dosing
No clinical training required
MLS Class IV Laser costs more because:
It is an advanced, physician-only medical device
It delivers deep, meaningful biological change
Sessions are shorter but far more effective
Most patients notice improvement within a few sessions
Faster healing = fewer overall visits = better long-term outcomes.
Bottom Line
Red-light panels are great for wellness.
MLS Class IV laser is built for healing.
If you’re dealing with:
Pain
Injury
Inflammation
Slow healing
Soft tissue damage
…the MLS Class IV laser delivers deeper, faster, more powerful results.
Schedule an MLS Class IV Laser Consultation
864-268-8196
Palmetto Chiropractic & Laser Center – Greenville, SC