Based on the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) information sheets for medical devices, low level laser therapy (LLLT) as well as normal light therapy devices are categorized as “non-significant risk” products.

After more than three decades of research there is no known side effects attached to these light therapies. However, there are certain specific contraindications (increased risk) to the use of LLLT. These are:

• Epilepsy
• Light hypersensitivity

For a non-laser device such as that for the Q-Light, the risk is expected to be lower.

Reported side effects include:

• Tiredness (temporary) - probably due to the release of metabolites
• Headaches (temporary) - from the reactivation of neural connections
• Reactivation of repressed mental trauma - the reactivation of neural connections may trigger unwanted traumatic memories

Energy Safety Issues

Qi-light has a non-laser based light source (incoherent light) with insignificant intensity. The energy generated is lower than natural light. It's energy output of 8mW is 125 times lower than that of a small flash light with the typical power of 1 W.

RadiantLife LT has a low intensity laser source that is powered to generate very low and safe energy output. Its energy output of 5 mW is 200 times lower than that for a small flash light with the typical energy of 1W.

However pointing a laser light to the retina can cause tissue damage and scarring. The danger of this is mitigated by the fact that the RadiantLife laser is not pure in that the the light is not completely coherent but has some designed-in divergence. Human involuntary reflex would also cause immediate blinking when the laser light is pointed to the eye. Nevertheless precaution should still always be taken and it should not be handled by children without supevision.

Reference

1. Tuner J and Horde L. he New Laser Therapy Handbook. Prima Books AB. 2010