What is Light Therapy?
Light therapy treats chronic illnesses with low-level light that mimics sunlight. We can’t detect the sort of light used in this treatment. However, the light used in such therapies emits harmless heat. Even the therapy devices used in doctors’ chambers filter any dangerous UV radiation, so the downsides of this treatment are minor.
A lamp with varying wavelengths is usually used to carry out the treatment sessions. Although it’s mainly done in the doctors’ chambers, some beauty salons also have it for skincare treatments.
Moreover, light intensities (also known as LUX) play a vital role in different treatment cases. Light therapy sessions might contribute to patients with:
- Knee ache
- SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) (SAD)
- Skin problems
- Depression
- Joint pains
However, research is still being carried out to know further benefits of this treatment.
The Most Common Types of Light Therapy
Near-Infrared and Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy and Near-Infrared light therapy comes in various forms like: laser therapy, panels, and therapy beds. This form of light therapy uses wavelengths of (635nm – 940nm) that has the ability to penetrate through your skin and helps the body cells to energize.
Red light therapy is used to joint and muscle pain both chronic or acute. It also reduces the swelling caused due to oxidative stress. Moreover, this light therapy also boosts collagen production that contributes to the improvement of skin texture and tone. It even speeds up the healing of wounds and helps to fade scars and marks.
The overall treatment of this therapy is painless and the side effects are minimum. Moreover, the treatment is painless and doesn’t cause any severe issues to patients.
Blue Light Therapy
Blue light therapy can’t penetrate through your skin, but it does contribute to different skin conditions like sun damage and acne. This light therapy can also be used to prevent skin cancer and remove any cancerous skin lesions.
For acne treatment, certain blue wavelengths are used to kill the bacteria and it’s best done in the dermatologists’ chamber as they have advanced technology to deal with these skin conditions.
To remove the skin lesions, the blue light is merged with a photosynthesizing drug that reacts with oxygen to destroy any cancerous cells. When compared to red light, this therapy is entirely pain less and has minimal adverse effects. However, some dermatologists combine red and blue light therapy to treat acne and aid to lessen swelling.
Green Light Therapy
Green light therapy form is still in an experimental phase and it’s also being tested for the treatments on migraines. The green color of this therapy is also associated with nature and can also help patients to calm and relax.
Researchers have also come up with at-home green light devices to lessen the migraine pain. The device they developed has a thin lamp with green LED light strips and the patients are advised to sit in a dark room with this green light in front for two hours.
Some patients reported instant relief and others started to get relief after six weeks of consistent use of this therapy. However, the treatment and technology is still under development and it’s always recommended to consult with your doctor before going through this therapy.
The Benefits of Light Therapy
1. It Can Help Chronic Illness
RLT (Red light Therapy) helps to relieve chronic illnesses. It even treats both mental and physical issues.
Chronic illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation and severe pain. Moreover, light therapy also promotes tissue healing and has anti-inflammatory properties. Muscle and joint pain, along with swelling, can be reduced with consistent use of this therapy.
Light therapy treatment also helps patients with SAD and depression by providing artificial light. However, red-light may not be as effective as green light, but its purpose is always to treat people as effectively as possible.
2. Light Therapy Reduces Skin Blemishes and Aging Signs
Light therapy can treat skin problems and blemishes. It can also significantly improve damaged or aging skin.
The light waves of this therapy are beneficial to skincare as they deal with collagen production and decrease wrinkles. The light also induces tissue healing and can give instant relief.
3. No Known Risks or Side Effects
As light therapy devices filter any damaging UV rays, the dangers are minimal. However, it’s always recommended to follow your doctors’ instructions before carrying out any of these therapy sessions.
Light Therapy and its Downside
- Light Therapy is not a Permanent Cure.
Light therapy is not a permanent treatment for chronic illnesses. Instead, light treatment acts to relieve symptoms, and it only works if you are consistent with this therapy.
- The Device is Costly
Light therapy is expensive and difficult to obtain. Moreover, insurance does not cover this form of therapy, so patients have to pay from their pockets.
Bottom Line
Light therapy has it’s both positive and negative sides. However, that doesn’t mean this method of therapy isn’t effective. When you are consistent with this therapy you can see positive and effective results. Yet, we’ll recommend taking the assistance of your doctor before taking any of these devices.
