Light therapy, also referred to as phototherapy, consists of exposing a patient to specific wavelengths of light for a specified period of time. This light can be emitted from lasers, light-emitting diodes, fluorescent lamps, or light boxes. The purpose of light therapy is to treat medical disorders including skin problems, sleep issues, and psychological problems. This type of therapy is very safe if used for brief periods of time. The only noted side effects have been nausea, headache, and increased jumpiness, all of which should dissipate with time.
Acne is one of the skin problems that light therapy can treat. It has been shown that sunlight improves acne, but due to the harmful effects of large amounts of ultraviolet light, sunlight also damages the skin over an extended period of time. Sunlight works to treat acne by killing some of the bacteria that cause it. During this treatment, light created by fluorescent lamps or LED lights will be focused on the areas of the skin that are affected by acne. Over 80 percent of patients who receive this type of therapy will see an improvement in the amount of acne they have.
Light therapy has also been used to treat many sleep problems. It can be used to regulate a person’s sleep cycle. This type of therapy can also be used to switch a person’s sleep cycle completely, which can be necessary if a person’s work schedule changes. Light boxes are typically used for this type of treatment, as the light from these boxes inhibits melatonin, which functions as a sleep regulator.
Many people suffer from seasonal affective disorder. This is a mood disorder characterized by increased feelings of depression during the winter months, when sunlight is scarce. People experiencing this disorder will often have less energy than normal, sleep for longer periods of time, and crave foods that are sweet. These symptoms usually disappear when the spring and summer months arrive, bringing sunlight. In order to treat this disorder during the months when there is not much sunlight, light boxes can be used. These lights provide the necessary light without the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation.