By: Carolyn Shadle

Sunlight is crucial for a person, and its benefits are endless. It promotes the production of vitamins and hormones such as melatonin and serotonin. Note that melatonin helps with a person’s sleep, and serotonin helps a person have a more stable mood. 

There can be possible deficiencies in these types of hormones and vitamins if there’s limited sunlight exposure, such as if an individual often stays indoors or when it’s the winter season. And so, finding an alternative to replace sunlight exposure can be ideal.

One type of approach that people can do is to undergo light therapy. This type of therapy, also known as phototherapy or heliotherapy, mimics sunlight. It can help a person produce hormones, such as those mentioned above, especially during fall and winter. Therefore, you can experience a more positive mood and better sleep by undergoing light therapy.

Similarly, light therapy isn’t just limited to producing these kinds of hormones. Such treatment may also help various health issues, from mental health conditions to physical ones, such as skin problems.

Overall, you can learn more about light therapy and its benefits by reading this guide.

Uses Of Light Therapy

To start, here are some benefits of undergoing light therapy:

May Help With Crohn’s Disease

Light therapy can possibly treat this condition by increasing the amount of vitamin D. Some researchers think that vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of developing Crohn’s disease. So, using light therapy to get more of this vitamin can help. Likewise, light therapy can also address Crohn’s disease by repairing intestinal issues and reducing inflammation. If you want a detailed article regarding this, you can learn more here.

May Help Manage Skin Problems 

Skin disorders or skin trauma caused by aging can cause healthy skin cells to be incapable of renewing themselves normally. However, light therapy can act as a tool to fuel the repair and restoration of damaged cells. 

The energy that comes from its light can help create collagen and elastin while at the same time enhancing circulation and speeding up tissue repair.

May Treat Depression:

Light therapy may help with depression by balancing the activation of serotonin in your brain, which is vital for a more stable mood. Likewise, this therapy may also set the circadian rhythm responsible for the sleep-wake cycle and help enhance alertness in an individual.

May Help With Seasonal Affective Disorder: 

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a temporary form of depression that can happen during fall and winter. It occurs when there are shorter days and less light. Likewise, exposure to light therapy may address this by acting as a substitute for sunlight, which can help reduce its harmful symptoms. 

How Light Therapy Works

In light therapy, a box or desk lamp is plugged in, turned on, and placed close to the eyes and skin, so that such body areas will be immersed in the light for a specific period. Other types of light therapy devices that are used to absorb light are light visors and dawn simulators. The devices used in this therapy are usually made up of fluorescent lights on a reflective metal base, with a plastic screen above it, to spread light and sift out ultraviolet rays.

To note, light therapy requires a minimum of 2,500 lux exposure. You should remember that getting around 10,000 lux exposure at the proper length is recommended in this therapy. This amount of light is then exposed to a person for about 20-30 minutes. However, you should avoid looking straight into the light when the entire session occurs, as it could lead to eye damage. Hence, the main goal is to indirectly allow the eyes to receive light. Usually, you should strive to be appropriately positioned from the lamp or lightbox to get the most of it.

Types Of Light Therapy

Now that you’re aware of how it works, you should also know about the types of light therapy out there. Such as:

  • Red light therapy
  • Green light therapy
  • LED light therapy
  • Blue light therapy
  • Colored light therapy 

Wrapping Up

Sunlight provides many health benefits. On the other hand, sunlight can’t properly give such benefits if you have such a limited time to expose yourself to it. Therefore, finding an effective way to replace sunlight exposure can be the right action. 

One method is to undergo light therapy. It can mimic sunlight, allowing your body to produce sufficient amounts of essential vitamins and hormones. However, it doesn’t stop there. Studies also revealed that it might help with many health issues, such as skin problems and mental health issues.

Overall, using light therapy can assist you in becoming healthy again, which can be beneficial in the long run.

About the Author

Carolyn Shadle is a skincare intellect who has been sharing her knowledge in cosmetics through blogging and seminars. During her free time, Carolyn enjoys reading and swimming.