Laser therapyLaser therapy uses light to help heal injuries and improve the appearance of skin. It is also used to treat cancer and other conditions that cause pain, swelling or redness in the skin, such as shingles, psoriasis and some types of acne.
Is laser treatment good or bad?
Laser treatment may be used alone or with other treatments, such as surgery or chemotherapy. It is important to talk to your doctor before having laser therapy to learn more about the risks and benefits of this treatment.
When laser therapy is used in conjunction with chemotherapy, it’s called photodynamic therapy (PDT). It combines a drug that makes cells sensitive to light with exposure to a laser. The laser targets the abnormal cells and burns or destroys them. This can stop cancer from spreading or regrowing after chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
The type of laser or light you get depends on your condition and its location in your body. If you’re having laser resurfacing to treat wrinkles, for example, your doctor might use a carbon dioxide or erbium laser.
For most musculoskeletal conditions, your doctor might recommend class IV lasers, which can penetrate deep into tissues. These lasers stimulate an increase in vasodilation to bring oxygen to the area, reduce inflammation and edema, and speed up the repair process of damaged tissue.
Before you have laser treatment, your doctor will give you specific instructions for preparing your body. These might include avoiding certain foods or medications, depending on your condition. If you’re having a procedure that requires sedation, arrange for someone to drive you home afterward.