Laser Therapy: What It Is and What the Evidence Shows
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides Laser Therapy?
A dermatologist, a doctor who treats skin conditions, uses lasers on the skin. Surgeons and other specialists use them for other parts of the body. So the kind of doctor depends on what is being treated. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
Laser therapy is a medical treatment that uses a strong beam of light to cut, burn, or destroy tissue. In cancer care, laser therapy is a type of local treatment, which means it treats a specific part of your body. Lasers can minimize bleeding and allow quicker recovery.
Here we cover medical lasers that cut, burn, or destroy tissue. We do not cover low-level or cold laser devices. There are several types of lasers, and each laser has specific uses.
What people use it for
Lasers can be used for many medical purposes.
- Treating varicose veins.
- Improving vision during eye surgery on the cornea.
- Repairing a detached retina of the eye.
- Removing parts of the prostate.
- Breaking up kidney stones.
- Removing tumors.
- Removing warts, moles, sunspots, and tattoos from the skin.
- Reducing skin wrinkles, scars, and other skin blemishes.
- Removing dilated blood vessels and redness from the skin.
- Removing hair.
- Removing skin cells that could turn into cancer.
In cancer care, laser therapy removes or destroys cancer and abnormal cells that can turn into cancer. It is most often used for cancers and precancers on the surface of the body or the lining of internal organs. Examples include basal cell skin cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and colorectal polyps. Lasers may also ease symptoms of advanced cancer, such as bleeding or blockages.
How to prepare
Talk to your health care provider about the risks of laser surgery. Before treatment, ask how much recovery time you will need and how many treatments you will need to reach your goal. Most laser surgery for the skin is done while you are awake.
What happens during it
In skin laser surgery, the laser heats specific cells in the treated area until they burst. In cancer care, laser therapy is often given through an endoscope, a narrow, lighted tube used to look at tissues inside the body. In cancer care, surgeons must have special training before they can do laser therapy, and strict safety measures must be followed.
Recovery
Recovery time depends on the type of treatment and your overall health. After laser surgery on the skin, you may need to keep your skin moisturized and out of the sun. The National Cancer Institute says that when lasers cut tissue, they seal the cut from bleeding, so they may cause less damage to normal tissue.
What the research shows and safety concerns
Possible risks of laser surgery on the skin include the following.
- Pain, bruising, or swelling.
- Blisters, burns, or scarring.
- Infections.
- Discoloration of the skin.
- Cold sores.
- The problem not going away.
The success of laser surgery depends on the condition being treated. In cancer care, the effects of laser therapy may not last long, so doctors may have to repeat the treatment to give the full benefit.
Who performs it
A dermatologist often performs laser treatment of the skin. Surgeons and other specialists use lasers for other parts of the body.
Common questions
What can laser therapy treat?
Lasers can be used for many medical purposes, such as treating varicose veins, breaking up kidney stones, and removing tumors. They are also often used during skin and eye surgery.
Can laser therapy treat cancer?
Yes, laser therapy is used to remove or destroy some cancers and precancers. It is most often used on cancers and precancers on the surface of the body or the lining of internal organs.
How many laser treatments will I need?
Ask your provider before treatment how many treatments you will need to reach your goal. In cancer care, doctors may have to repeat the treatment to give the full benefit.
Does laser therapy have risks?
Yes, laser surgery on the skin has possible risks, such as pain, bruising, swelling, blisters, burns, scarring, and infections. Talk to your health care provider about the risks of laser surgery.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Laser therapy
- MedlinePlus - Laser surgery for the skin
- National Cancer Institute - Lasers to Treat Cancer
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
