8 Benefits of Using Light Therapy
Have you been having any type of health issues that you can’t seem to get resolved? The resolution could be as simple as absorbing some light through the practice of light therapy. Humans need certain types and amounts of light to help regulate the natural rhythms of the mind and body. Without proper light exposure, your mind and body won’t function properly; sleep, mood and cognitive performance are all at risk of getting disrupted. Since the human body requires light, light therapy can help with many different health issues and improve your overall life.
Acne
Different types of light therapy are used for acne, depending on the specific case. Dermatologists can use lasers to treat acne and blue or red light to kill the bacteria and treat blemishes. Dermatologists also often use intense pulsed light to treat clogged pores and blackheads by removing oil and dead skin cells. You can also purchase blue or near infrared light therapy devices for home use that are less powerful than the dermatologist has but still can be quite effective. Light therapy isn’t suitable for everyone, but many people find it to be very beneficial.
Depression
Non-seasonal depression can also be helped by bright light therapy. You can also use it along with anti-depressant medication if you feel you need a little more help. About 30 minutes a day in front of the sunlamp is all you need.
Pain
Red light therapy can help ease pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders by using low-wavelength red light. It can be used for different forms of arthritis, back pain, neck pain, dental issues and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Psoriasis
Several different types of psoriasis can be successfully treated with narrow-band ultraviolet B light from a light source or laser. These types include plaque, palmoplantar, nail and scalp psoriasis. This light therapy works to calm the immune system of the sufferer. The overactive immune system calms down to produce fewer skin cells, and the patient should experience less itching and inflammation. Psoriasis can also be treated with PUVA light therapy along with psoralen, which can be taken in pill form, or you can soak in it in a bath before the UVA treatment.
Scleroderma
To treat scleroderma, you must use a different type of light therapy that goes deeper into the skin since the scleroderma goes deeper into the skin. Doctors often prescribe UVA-1 phototherapy for this condition because it goes deeper into the skin, loosening scarred areas and helps reduce itching. Then, doctors can use intense pulsed light treatment to lighten dark skin patches.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that people get during a specific time of the year, usually winter when there’s less daylight. Bright white light helps boost the production of your body’s melatonin and serotonin, which are hormones that regulate sleep and mood. Sunlamps are great for helping relieve SAD symptoms, and you only need about 30 minutes of bright white light exposure per day to see positive results.
Sleep Disorders
A lightbox can help with sleep disorders by mimicking sunlight without the risk of the UV light you’re exposed to in the sun. This therapy can reset your sleep/wake cycle (i.e., your circadian rhythm). It could take as little as 30 minutes a day in front of a lightbox to see results.
Vitiligo
Two types of light therapy can be used to treat vitiligo. The narrow-band ultraviolet B light treatment involves having a doctor apply it using lasers, or you sit in a lightbox or booth. PUVA is a treatment using ultraviolet A light. For this treatment, you can sit in a booth or spend time in the sun, and you must use a medication called psoralen along with light therapy. While both treatments are about 70% effective, the PUVA treatment is associated with more risk of developing skin cancer.
Now you know a few of the many conditions that different types of light therapy can treat and the basics of how it works. Begin today seeking your ideal solution for a healthier life.
