Light therapy has gained great popularity in recent years due to its wide medical uses in treating skin diseases. However, it is not limited to that, but its effect extends to improving symptoms of depression, sleep disorders, and jaundice in newborns. In this article, we will introduce you in detail to how it works to heal all of the previous conditions.
What is light therapy?
Phototherapy is a common form of treatment that uses bright lights or rays known as ultraviolet light (UV).
Ultraviolet light is a type of energy, measured using the electromagnetic spectrum, and helps treat several types of skin diseases, such as eczema and psoriasis.
What is ultraviolet rays?
The sun naturally produces ultraviolet rays, which are necessary to help the body produce vitamin D, which is responsible for supporting the immune system, fighting various diseases, building bones, and improving mood.
If the skin is exposed to these rays for long periods, this may lead to damage and some damage, such as burns. Therefore, the doctor will be careful to carefully control the strength of the rays and the duration during which the skin is exposed to them in order to avoid any complications.
What are the types of ultraviolet rays?
There are different types of ultraviolet rays used in medical treatments, and below we mention them in detail:
- Ultraviolet light B (UVB): This type is characterized by its medium wavelength that reaches the upper layer of the skin.
- Ultraviolet light A (UVA): This type has a long wavelength that reaches the deeper layers of the skin.
- PUVA photochemotherapy: In this type, UVA rays are combined with a combination treatment called psoralen.
This compound is extracted from plants and makes the skin more sensitive to light, so it is used to treat severe skin diseases.
Get to know Diagnosis of skin diseases and the most prominent causes of infection
Are there different colors for light therapy?
Yes, there are many colors of light therapy, and each one of them is used to treat different conditions. Below we explain them to you:
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Blue light therapy (neoBLUE®)
The LED lamps used in this type of therapy emit blue lights and are used to treat jaundice or jaundice in infants.
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Red light therapy
LED lamps in this type emit red lights, which are the rays used in laser devices, and help treat wrinkles andyoung love And the scars.
What conditions are treated with light?
Ultraviolet rays help treat many conditions, such as:
- Various skin diseases.
- Jaundice in newborns.
- Rickets.
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
- الاكتئاب.
- Sleep disorders.
How is phototherapy used for eczema?
Ultraviolet A rays penetrate the deep layers of the skin to slow the inflammation associated with eczema, while UVB rays affect the outer layers, soothing inflammation, scaling and itching.
The effect of light therapy is usually temporary, as its effect only reaches two months, and the patient may need 6-8 sessions.
احجز استشارتك الأن في مركز الجلدية والتجميل At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital
Can phototherapy be used for vitiligo?
Yes, light therapy can be used for vitiligo, but it does not treat it, but rather controls its spread in the body and the expansion of the circles.
Get to know What is the quickest way to treat vitiligo?
Can phototherapy be used for psoriasis?
Yes, light therapy can be used for psoriasis, as it soothes the patient's annoying and painful symptoms of psoriasis.
How is phototherapy used for jaundice?
Phototherapy helps reduce high bilirubin levels in newborns by breaking it down so the body can get rid of it.
Phototherapy can be used for infants with jaundice by the following two methods:
- Place children under fluorescent lights with their eyes covered so that the retina is not damaged.
- Use biliblankets that contain fiber-optic cables and shine blue light on the child's body to break down excess bilirubin.
How is light therapy used for depression?
Light therapy helps improve mood and relieve depression by controlling the patient's biological clock and regulating serotonin levels in the brain, which is responsible for happiness and improving mood.
How is light therapy used for insomnia?
As we mentioned previously, light therapy helps control the patient's biological clock and regulates melatonin levels, which is responsible for sleep, and thus improves sleep patterns and treats insomnia and sleep disorders.
Finally, although light therapy is generally safe, it may cause some side effects, such as minor burning and redness, so be sure to ask your doctor about its pros and cons before using it to determine whether it is right for you.
Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of phototherapy?
It helps in treating many psychological diseases, such as depression, and helps in treating many types of skin diseases. It is completely safe and has few side effects, and it can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
How long does phototherapy take?
Sometimes it takes from half an hour to two hours, depending on the dose. 2,500 lux takes two hours, while 10,000 lux takes only half an hour.
What is the difference between laser therapy and light therapy?
Both rely on the use of light in treatment, but phototherapy relies on the use of pulses that have a broad and more widespread range, while laser depends on the use of focused, monochromatic coherent light.
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