An infrared wound healing unit having a layer of an optically and radiographically transparent flexible heating element which, when powered, emits heat that serves to heal a wound according to monochromatic infrared energy (MIRE) treatment of the wound. This infrared wound healing unit is arranged so that: (a) heat emitted from the layer of an optically and radiographically transparent flexible heating element passes to a wound of a patient to treat the wound, (b) the wound of the patient that is being treated can be viewed while heat is emitted from the layer of an optically and radiographically transparent flexible heating element to treat the wound, (c) the wound is accessible for other forms of treatment, and (d) the infrared wound healing unit remains secured to the patient while the wound is being viewed or treated.