Why Our Lasers Are Different

Treatments & Technologies
Written By Nicole Macdonald

By Del Hart
Co-Founder and Director

Not All “Light Therapy” Is the Same

Light-based treatments are becoming increasingly common.
LED masks, red light panels, and near-infrared devices are widely available — and while they fall under the same general category of light therapy, they do not all work in the same way.

At Cellara, we use low level laser technology, and that distinction matters.

Because when it comes to supporting how the body functions,
it’s not just about how much power is used.
It’s about how energy is delivered - and how the body responds to it.

It’s Not About Power. It’s About How Energy Is Delivered

Many devices on the market focus on output - how strong or how hot the light feels.

But biological response is not simply about intensity.
It depends on how light interacts with cells and tissues.

The Erchonia GVL laser is a form of low level laser technology designed to deliver light in a controlled, targeted way that cells may be able to absorb and utilise efficiently.

This comes down to three key factors:

Wavelength
The specific type of light used

Coherence
How focused and organised the light beam is

Pulsing
How the light is delivered over time

Together, these characteristics influence how light energy is delivered to tissue - and how the body may respond.

Laser vs LED: Precision vs Coverage

Most light therapy devices use LED technology.

LED has a valuable role and is widely used, particularly for surface-level applications. However, it works differently from laser technology.

LED

  • Light is dispersed across a broader area

  • Typically covers larger treatment zones

  • Lower energy density at any single point

  • Usually continuous output

Laser (GVL)

  • Coherent, focused beam

  • Targeted delivery to specific areas

  • Higher energy density at the point of contact

  • Pulsed delivery pattern

In simple terms:

LED floods the area with light.
Laser delivers it with precision.

Both approaches have their place - depending on the goal of treatment.

Why Pulsing Matters

The body operates through rhythms - including sleep cycles, nerve signalling, and hormonal patterns.

The GVL laser uses a pulsed delivery pattern, meaning the light is delivered in intervals rather than continuously.

This pulsing pattern is thought to influence how cells:

  • signal

  • adapt

  • respond to stimulation

While research in this area is ongoing, pulsed light delivery is widely used in photobiomodulation because it may influence how cells respond to stimulation compared with continuous exposure in certain contexts.

In simple terms, it delivers energy in intervals rather than a constant stream - which may better align with the body’s natural rhythms.

This is why pulsed delivery is often described as working in harmony with the body’s processes, rather than simply applying continuous stimulation.

GVL vs Near Infrared: Depth vs Signal

Near-infrared (NIR) light is commonly used in light therapy because it penetrates deeper into tissue.

Depth is important — particularly for muscle and joint applications — but it is not the only factor that determines how light therapy works.

Near Infrared

  • Longer wavelengths

  • Deeper tissue penetration

  • Often used for muscle and joint support

  • Typically delivered continuously

GVL (Green + Violet Laser)

  • Shorter wavelengths

  • More superficial penetration

  • Targeted delivery

  • Pulsed application

The difference is not simply better or worse - but different applications.

Near infrared is often used where deeper penetration is needed.
GVL is typically used where targeted stimulation of surface tissues or cellular signalling is desired.

A More Intelligent Approach to Light Therapy

At Cellara, we don’t choose technologies based on trends.

We choose them based on how they:

  • Work with the body

  • Support cellular function

  • Deliver meaningful, measurable change

The GVL laser represents a more refined use of light:

  • Not hotter

  • Not harsher

  • Just more intentional

A More Considered Approach to Light Therapy

At Cellara, technology selection is guided by clinical purpose rather than trends.

We look at how a device:

  • interacts with the body

  • supports recovery processes

  • fits within a structured care plan

  • can be used safely and consistently

Low level laser therapy represents one way of using light in a controlled and targeted manner.

Not stronger
Not harsher
But more precise in its delivery

Why This Matters for You

When light is delivered in a way your body can recognise and respond to, it can support:

  • recovery from physical strain

  • tissue healing processes

  • circulation

  • regulation of inflammation

  • overall recovery and function

These responses vary from person to person, and outcomes depend on many factors - including health status, consistency of treatment, and the underlying condition being addressed.

For many people, light-based therapies can be a useful supportive tool when used as part of a broader, well-considered plan.

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Nicole Macdonald

AUTHOR


Nicole Macdonald – January Made x Creative Process Collective

Hi there! I’m the founder and head architect behind Creative Process Collective, as well as owner and designer over at January Made Design.  You can guarantee I will greet you with an over the top smile and talk your ears off about all things creative, small business and probably pets (everyone loves pets). Serial over-sharer on social media, you’ll be able to find me most days sitting at my trestle table working away with a green tea and surrounded by too many house plants and most likely a cat stretched across my keyboard.

Website | Instagram | Facebook

https://www.januarymade.co.nz
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