Light therapy

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

(Redirected from Ultraviolet therapy)

Light therapy or phototherapy is a type of treatment that involves exposure to daylight or to specific wavelengths of light using polychromatic polarised light, lasers, light-emitting diodes, fluorescent lamps, dichroic lamps or very bright, full-spectrum light. The light is administered for a prescribed amount of time and, in some cases, at a specific time of day.

History[edit | edit source]

The use of light therapy dates back to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, who worshipped the sun god Ra. They believed that exposure to sunlight could cure a variety of physical and mental ailments. In the modern era, light therapy was first used in the treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in the 1980s.

Types of Light Therapy[edit | edit source]

There are several types of light therapy, including:

  • Bright light therapy: This is the most common type of light therapy used to treat SAD, certain other types of depression, and circadian rhythm sleep disorders.
  • Blue light therapy: This type of therapy is often used to treat acne and pre-cancerous skin growths.
  • Red light therapy: This therapy is used to treat skin issues, such as wrinkles and scars, and other health issues.
  • Green light therapy: This is a newer type of light therapy that is being studied for its potential to relieve pain.

Uses[edit | edit source]

Light therapy can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including:

Risks and Side Effects[edit | edit source]

While light therapy is generally safe, it can have side effects, including:

  • Eyestrain
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Irritability or agitation
  • Mania, in people with bipolar disorder

See Also[edit | edit source]

Light therapy Resources
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