Choosing Your Laser

This is the place to learn about Class 4 Lasers vs Class 2 or 3 lasers to help you to determine which laser system is the right fit for your needs and budget

When is a Class 4 Laser System the best choice? 
Class 4 lasers are preferred for users who:

  1. Want to have the option of higher dosage, which is translated to joules per cm squared (j/cm2)
  2. Want to have the shortest treatment times (higher power translates to shorter treatment or more j/cm2 in a given time)
  3. Want to treat larger areas such as in neuropathy (due to fast treatments, can quickly move from one point to the next)
  4. Want superior pain control through increased power and depth of penetration
  5. Will be treating a wide variety of tissue injuries with both high and medium dosages
  6. Need to treat very deep areas
  7. Have a higher volume practice
  8. Can afford a higher end laser
Class 4 laser therapy system are much like other lower power system except they deliver the energy faster, and they typically warm the tissue, which feels good to the patient and builds confidence because it is obvious that the treatment is in process. Dramatic pain relief and increased range of motion is often experienced within minutes.

In cases where the energy needs to be delivered over a large or deep area, this extra power keeps the treatment times less than 12 minutes and often only seconds per point or location, allowing the ability to cover more areas. The extra power also allows practitioners do deliver class 3b dosages in just a couple minutes or go to higher dosages for superior pain control. All these class 4 system can deliver medium dosage like you get in a higher quality class 3b system but you also have the choice to treat larger areas faster and deeper, and provide better, faster pain control. It is up to the practitioner to decide how to use the system.

FREE 15 PAGE PDF DOWNLOAD:

15 PAGE GUIDE TO CLASS 4 THERAPY LASERS

Laser Therapy Science and Clinical Studies an online book of compiled studies from around the world

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There are 3 downsides to class IV laser systems:

  1. They are more expensive than class I, II and 3b systems
  2. They must be kept moving (in general) if delivering over about 4 joules/second, except LZR7, which runs cooler than other class 4 lasers
  3. They have a higher risk of eye damage. This is extremely low if everyone wears safety glasses.

Class 4 Laser Systems Over 45 Watts

Not all class 4 system are alike. Admittedly there is some bad press about class 4 lasers, which is mostly about systems over 45 watts. Once you get into systems that deliver over 45 joules/second, you must keep the system moving quickly or you risk burning the the skin. In our opinion, it is just not worth the added risk to deliver energy at these extreme rates. For this reason, we don’t sell class 4 laser systems over 45 Watts. Our REMY FX45 45 Watt TriwWave laser runs warm but not hot, so it’s very comfortable for the patient and the user.

Understanding and Clarity Regarding Class 4 Laser Fear Inducing Claims

Below is a table that shows some common claims and some of the underlying facts behind the claim. Always keep in mind that almost every class 4 laser has the option to turn down the power when it is appropriate, so you actually have a lot of flexibility with a higher power pulsing or Continuous Wave (CW) class 4 therapy laser.

Claim

Details

There is a big difference between class 3 and Class 4 products.

Yes and No.
Yes. Once you get above 5 Watts, the laser diodes are installed in a cooled housing and a fiber optic cable is used to transfer the power to the handheld probe/emitter. This adds complexity and expense to the system, and is another feature that adds to the additional cost of class IV lasers.

No, the general cutoff for a class 4 laser is 0.5 (1/2) watts per beam. The LZR7 is typically considered a Class 4 laser, but it also works with class 3b probes/emitters. The LZR7 probe emitters are similar to the Class 3b probes used by Thor laser, Apollo laser and other laser manufacturers that don’t use fiber optic cables. One simply chooses the individual laser probe desired, with diodes above or below .5 watt output. The line between class 3 and class 4 lasers is a matter of preference, time available to give treatments, purpose, power output desired and of course budget. We advise getting the most power you can afford between 30 and 45 Watts with 2-3 wavelengths to get the superior results and have the best, most efficient and effective experience.

Class 4 lasers are not appropriate for home use.

False.
However most class 4 laser systems do require extra training to make sure the user is safe. Many home users start out getting therapy in a doctor’s office, but then want the convenience of therapy at home. By getting a prescription from a practitioner, we can make the class 4 laser available for personal use. Then the home user can adopt the protocol that is already working for use at home, in order to save time and increase treatment availability in the comfort of home. Systems such as the LZR7 Cool laser systems use a divergent beam and a timer as the main variables, consequently requiring less training as they produce insignificant amounts of heat. For pain control, continuous wave, class 4 power lasers are a top choice in the industry.

You can purchase a class 4 laser for equine, pet and veterinary laser use without RX. Class IV Lasers for personal use are available with an RX prescription from a Doctor or Chiropractor. Once you have your prescription, give Class4Lasers.com a call at 800-575-7963 to discuss product options and prices. Training with a Dr will be included at no additional cost to ensure proper use and safety.

Too much power is not as effective for healing.

False.

This statement has NOT be proven by an independent study; it has only been shown by studies paid for by lower power laser manufacturers who use the study to discredit class 4 systems. Higher dosages are better for pain control but higher-end Class 4 lasers have adjustable power so when you want less power, you simply turn it down. When you need more power for better pain control, you turn it up.

The Arndt-Schulz curve that everyone uses to show the biphasic response of lasers has no numbers on it and there is very little information about the dosage at the peak. Current research has discredited that old theory and shown that superior results can be achieved for numerous physical issues by delivering considerably more power to target tissue than was previously believed. Thus, the class 4 therapy market is large and growing as the exceptional results they produce are indisputable at this point.

Class 4 lasers are not worth the money.

False.
For many people, higher dosages and shorter treatment times are a key to greater results. If you are not concerned about therapy times, flexibility or giving your patients the maximum pain relief, then a lower power product is fine. Class 4 lasers are for practitioners and home users who want to have every option available without limitations for any condition. State-of-the-art class 4 lasers can be purchased for much less than was previously in the last decade. We now have smaller, lighter class 4 lasers with more power and features than were previously available at prices that are $10k to $20k less expensive. Class4lasers.com offers exceptional class IV laser therapy devices at price between $8,950 to $25,000. 

REMY and Medray class 4 laser systems are exceptional, feature rich, highly effective, versatile and and worth every cent. They deliver high end quality and performance with a 5 year manufacturer warranty and free training. By cutting out the middle-man and the high overhead, they significantly reduce costs compared to the top name-brand class 4 lasers such as Aspen, Eltech K-Laser, Summus, Lightforce and others, which have to charge significantly more due to high overhead and high commissions paid to boots on the ground distributors. Brands such as REMY and Medray provide comparable power, wavelengths and higher end features can be obtained for 30-50% less expense.

Class 4 lasers are better for pain control.

Class 4 lasers have shorter therapy times.

Class 4 lasers are better for treating larger areas.

Yes to all of these claims.
Higher power lasers provide better pain control in a shorter period and can cover large areas much faster than a lower power lasers. The key here is not necessarily the class but the total power output of the system. Higher power allows for more flexibility. Everyone in the market seems to agree that more power is better for pain control, better for larger areas and will shorten the time it takes to get the optimum healing or pain control density.

Class 4 laser are dangerous.

Yes.
In the wrong hands, a class 4 cold laser can cause damage just like a scalpel, a bad drug prescription or any of the other tools doctors use every day. This is not a good reason to not have the tool. With proper training and adherence to safety precautions, class 4 lasers up to 45 watts are quite safe.

We do not typically recommend systems over 45 watts because the level of training and awareness is so high that it is not worth the extra money and risk to work at these power levels. Additionally,  there really is such a thing as working too fast. A patient has to feel like they are getting their money’s worth.

All the other products on the market are inferior to (insert product name here).

Though some manufactures may claim they are superior, there is not one solution that is the best for all applications. Every manufacturer has a unique value proposition. It is our job to help you find the most appropriate system for your application, needs and budget. 

Call a laser specialist for FREE Concierge service and support to help you determine the best laser for your needs and budget.
Call Toll Free 800-575-7963

So, what conclusions can we make about class 4 lasers? The line between a class 4 and class 3 is gray. Cold lasers such as LZR UB and  LZR7  class 3b systems have similar specs and performance to the lower-end of class 4 lasers and they cost less. Because cold lasers and class 3b lasers are built without a  fiber optic design, it costs less than most comparable powered fiber-optic based class IV laser systems. Class 4 lasers may be the ultimate therapeutic laser for many applications but that really depends more on the requirements of the practice and practitioner.

The bottom line is that class 4 laser systems deliver results quickly, especially for pain relief and some of them such as the REMY LASER can also be applied to the practice of minor surgical applications in Podiatry and Veterinary Medicine. Many people that don’t get results with a class 3b lasers and below, will get results with a class 4 therapeutic lasers. That is why they are used in thousands of chronic pain clinics in the US and throughout the world.

There are 3 downsides to class IV laser systems:

  1. They are more expensive than class I, II and 3b systems
  2. They must be kept moving (in general) if delivering over about 4 joules/second, except LZR7, which runs cooler than other class 4 lasers
  3. They have a higher risk of eye damage. This is extremely low if everyone wears safety glasses.

Class 4 Laser Systems Over 45 Watts

Not all class 4 system are alike. Admittedly there is some bad press about class 4 lasers, which is mostly about systems over 45 watts. Once you get into systems that deliver over 45 joules/second, you must keep the system moving quickly or you risk burning the the skin. In our opinion, it is just not worth the added risk to deliver energy at these extreme rates. For this reason, we don’t sell class 4 laser systems over 45 Watts. Our REMY FX45 45 Watt TriwWave laser runs warm but not hot, so it’s very comfortable for the patient and the user.

Understanding and Clarity Regarding Class 4 Laser Fear Inducing Claims

Below is a table that shows some common claims and some of the underlying facts behind the claim. Always keep in mind that almost every class 4 laser has the option to turn down the power when it is appropriate, so you actually have a lot of flexibility with a higher power pulsing or Continuous Wave (CW) class 4 therapy laser.

Claim

Details

There is a big difference between class 3 and Class 4 products.

Yes and No.
Yes. Once you get above 5 Watts, the laser diodes are installed in a cooled housing and a fiber optic cable is used to transfer the power to the handheld probe/emitter. This adds complexity and expense to the system, and is another feature that adds to the additional cost of class IV lasers.

No, the general cutoff for a class 4 laser is 0.5 (1/2) watts per beam. The LZR7 is typically considered a Class 4 laser, but it also works with class 3b probes/emitters. The LZR7 probe emitters are similar to the Class 3b probes used by Thor laser, Apollo laser and other laser manufacturers that don’t use fiber optic cables. One simply chooses the individual laser probe desired, with diodes above or below .5 watt output. The line between class 3 and class 4 lasers is a matter of preference, time available to give treatments, purpose, power output desired and of course budget. We advise getting the most power you can afford between 30 and 45 Watts with 2-3 wavelengths to get the superior results and have the best, most efficient and effective experience.

Class 4 lasers are not appropriate for home use.

False.
However most class 4 laser systems do require extra training to make sure the user is safe. Many home users start out getting therapy in a doctor’s office, but then want the convenience of therapy at home. By getting a prescription from a practitioner, we can make the class 4 laser available for personal use. Then the home user can adopt the protocol that is already working for use at home, in order to save time and increase treatment availability in the comfort of home. Systems such as the LZR7 Cool laser systems use a divergent beam and a timer as the main variables, consequently requiring less training as they produce insignificant amounts of heat. For pain control, continuous wave, class 4 power lasers are a top choice in the industry.

You can purchase a class 4 laser for equine, pet and veterinary laser use without RX. Class IV Lasers for personal use are available with an RX prescription from a Doctor or Chiropractor. Once you have your prescription, give Class4Lasers.com a call at 800-575-7963 to discuss product options and prices. Training with a Dr will be included at no additional cost to ensure proper use and safety.

Too much power is not as effective for healing.

False.

This statement has NOT be proven by an independent study; it has only been shown by studies paid for by lower power laser manufacturers who use the study to discredit class 4 systems. Higher dosages are better for pain control but higher-end Class 4 lasers have adjustable power so when you want less power, you simply turn it down. When you need more power for better pain control, you turn it up.

The Arndt-Schulz curve that everyone uses to show the biphasic response of lasers has no numbers on it and there is very little information about the dosage at the peak. Current research has discredited that old theory and shown that superior results can be achieved for numerous physical issues by delivering considerably more power to target tissue than was previously believed. Thus, the class 4 therapy market is large and growing as the exceptional results they produce are indisputable at this point.

Class 4 lasers are not worth the money.

False.
For many people, higher dosages and shorter treatment times are a key to greater results. If you are not concerned about therapy times, flexibility or giving your patients the maximum pain relief, then a lower power product is fine. Class 4 lasers are for practitioners and home users who want to have every option available without limitations for any condition. State-of-the-art class 4 lasers can be purchased for much less than was previously in the last decade. We now have smaller, lighter class 4 lasers with more power and features than were previously available at prices that are $10k to $20k less expensive. Class4lasers.com offers exceptional class IV laser therapy devices at price between $8,950 to $25,000. 

REMY and Medray class 4 laser systems are exceptional, feature rich, highly effective, versatile and and worth every cent. They deliver high end quality and performance with a 5 year manufacturer warranty and free training. By cutting out the middle-man and the high overhead, they significantly reduce costs compared to the top name-brand class 4 lasers such as Aspen, Eltech K-Laser, Summus, Lightforce and others, which have to charge significantly more due to high overhead and high commissions paid to boots on the ground distributors. Brands such as REMY and Medray provide comparable power, wavelengths and higher end features can be obtained for 30-50% less expense.

Class 4 lasers are better for pain control.

Class 4 lasers have shorter therapy times.

Class 4 lasers are better for treating larger areas.

Yes to all of these claims.
Higher power lasers provide better pain control in a shorter period and can cover large areas much faster than a lower power lasers. The key here is not necessarily the class but the total power output of the system. Higher power allows for more flexibility. Everyone in the market seems to agree that more power is better for pain control, better for larger areas and will shorten the time it takes to get the optimum healing or pain control density.

Class 4 laser are dangerous.

Yes.
In the wrong hands, a class 4 cold laser can cause damage just like a scalpel, a bad drug prescription or any of the other tools doctors use every day. This is not a good reason to not have the tool. With proper training and adherence to safety precautions, class 4 lasers up to 45 watts are quite safe.

We do not typically recommend systems over 45 watts because the level of training and awareness is so high that it is not worth the extra money and risk to work at these power levels. Additionally,  there really is such a thing as working too fast. A patient has to feel like they are getting their money’s worth.

All the other products on the market are inferior to (insert product name here).

Though some manufactures may claim they are superior, there is not one solution that is the best for all applications. Every manufacturer has a unique value proposition. It is our job to help you find the most appropriate system for your application, needs and budget. 

Call a laser specialist for FREE Concierge service and support to help you determine the best laser for your needs and budget.
Call Toll Free 800-575-7963

So, what conclusions can we make about class 4 lasers? The line between a class 4 and class 3 is gray. Cold lasers such as LZR UB and  LZR7  class 3b systems have similar specs and performance to the lower-end of class 4 lasers and they cost less. Because cold lasers and class 3b lasers are built without a  fiber optic design, it costs less than most comparable powered fiber-optic based class IV laser systems. Class 4 lasers may be the ultimate therapeutic laser for many applications but that really depends more on the requirements of the practice and practitioner.

The bottom line is that class 4 laser systems deliver results quickly, especially for pain relief and some of them such as the REMY LASER can also be applied to the practice of minor surgical applications in Podiatry and Veterinary Medicine. Many people that don’t get results with a class 3b lasers and below, will get results with a class 4 therapeutic lasers. That is why they are used in thousands of chronic pain clinics in the US and throughout the world.

Call a Class 4 Laser Specialist for Concierge Service Today

Free Consultation
800-575-7963