6 Science-Backed Health Benefits Of Light Therapy

By Clinton Courier | July 18, 2022 |

Light therapy uses light wavelengths of about 620-750 nm to the skin for it to elicit certain desired effects. There are usually two types of light therapy: blue and red. Whichever choice you opt for, both can use an LED panel or a whole panel of red or blue light.

Each treatment session is quite fast, usually lasting only minutes. This makes it even more popular because of its convenience. Unlike other treatment forms, you don’t have to spend an entire day in the clinic just to have each treatment done. Because it’s relatively new in the industry, it’s not surprising how there may be questions surrounding light therapy. Does science really back up some of its claims?

To set the record straight, light therapy is more than just a health and beauty fad. In fact, there are science-backed health benefits to it:

It May Hasten Wound Healing

Light therapy can be used to help patients with physical injuries heal their wounds faster. It can help stimulate the body’s production of nitric oxide. This can improve blood circulation, providing more nutrients and oxygen to injured tissues and cells.

For example, light therapy is a common treatment explored for canker sore on your uvula. If you happen to have this, visit your doctor and see if light therapy can be used for your case.

It May Help Improve Cardiovascular Health

One of the key potential health benefits of light therapy is how it may help improve cardiovascular health. When the body is exposed to infrared light, the body’s production of nitric oxide increases. This refers to the molecule that’s important to maintain the health of blood vessels through the following:

It combats free radicals to regulate blood pressure and stop or slow down oxidative stress;
It helps relax the arteries so as to prevent clumping and clotting in the vessels.

It May Help With Jaundice In Newborns

Gone are the days when jaundice in newborns is an alarming disease. Technology has paved the way for better management of this birth disorder, one of which is through light therapy. Blue light therapy, in particular, helps break down the bilirubin into products that are easily eliminated. This is made possible by lamps with an output of 460-490 nm.

Bilirubin quite frequently accumulates in newborns. Ideally, it should go down to acceptable levels. When it doesn’t, that’s when phototherapy like light therapy will be recommended.

It May Improve Skin Quality

Many dermatology clinics now offer facial services that are done through light therapy as it also has strong positive benefits on the skin. Two of the major skin-related benefits are less occurrence of wrinkles and less sun-induced aging as well. Moreover, many patients who suffer from acne also find relief with light therapy. As such, an improved skin condition is achieved.

Furthermore, other skin problems that can be addressed by light therapy are:

Psoriasis
Eczema
Skin infections

It May Reduce The Onset Of Fatigue

Daytime sleepiness and fatigue can happen to some individuals due to various underlying reasons, despite already having sufficient hours of sleep. For example, patients who suffered from a traumatic brain injury may also have long bouts of fatigue and daytime sleepiness. Among other therapies those patients will have to undergo, one of the supporting treatments is light therapy.

Blue light can help normalize the body’s circadian rhythm by lowering cortisol levels earlier in the evening and starting melatonin secretion. However, consult with your doctor first so the underlying cause of your fatigue can also be addressed on top of going for your regular light therapy sessions.

It May Help Fight Depression

Physical health isn’t the only facet that benefits from light therapy. Emotional and psychological health is positively benefited, too, given how light therapy may help fight depression.

Ideally, exposure to natural light is highly preferred to help lift a person’s mood and mental well-being to reduce the likelihood of developing depression. When this isn’t sufficient and possible, light therapy comes to the rescue.

In this treatment, natural light is used to mimic that of the sun’s rays. When the right exposure levels are achieved, the serotonin levels in the body and brain are positively impacted. After the recommended treatment duration, patients may experience a significant improvement in their mental health and overall aptitude for life.

Conclusion

The list of potential benefits above isn’t exhaustive. This means there could still be other potential health benefits of light therapy, depending on your specific needs. If there’s any problem you want to be addressed by light therapy, bring the matter up with your physician or your dermatologist. By doing so, a discussion can be made on how long your treatment will be and what light therapy can do for you. Most importantly, always have your treatment done by a reputable clinic for you to enjoy its promised benefits.