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What You Need to Know About Light Therapy

There are so positive effects of light therapy. This medical and cosmetic treatment method has become the best choice for the treatment of a multitude of conditions. Here’s everything you need to know about light therapy and how it may be able to help you.

What to Know About Light Therapy

1. Light Therapy Can Treat Numerous Conditions

That’s the great thing about light therapy. It can treat a number of conditions including psoriasis, vitiligo, eczema, common rashes, atopic dermatitis, precancerous skin lesions, and acne.

2. Light Therapy Uses Light at Different Wavelengths To Cause A Reaction And Achieve Desired Results

All visible light is a form of radiation, electromagnetic to be exact, that all ranges on the electromagnetic spectrum. The light on this spectrum is classified by its wavelength ranging between 400-700 nanometers. The lower the number, the shorter the wavelength. When used in dermatology, light has varying effects on the human body depending on the wavelength. To give you an example, blue light has a wavelength between 450-495 nm and is used to treat acne as it can kill the bacteria causing it. This treatment is known as blu-u light treatment. Red light, with a wavelength of 620-750 nm, can heal wounds and scars by repairing the skin through collagen production. It’s used to treat psoriasis, eczema, lesions, wrinkles, and fine lines.

3. Light Therapy Is Not for Everyone

Light therapy can be harmful to individuals with skin sensitivities. The medication you take can also play a role in your eligibility. Some medications can increase your photosensitivity and can do more harm than good if you find yourself receiving light therapy while on these medications.

4. Light Therapy Is Safe for Pregnant Women

Some people may believe that light therapy could be harmful to pregnant women and their unborn children. This couldn’t be further from the truth. As a matter of fact, many pregnant women rely on blue light to help with pregnancy-related acne.

5. Light Therapy Is Relatively Painless

For many, light therapy is completely harmless. The light emitted passes straight through the epidermis, the top layer of the skin, and into the dermis, the second layer of the skin, affecting the body on a cellular level. This means that the top layer, where all the nerves are, is not damaged.

6. Light Therapy Requires Little to No Downtime

Some cosmetic and medical treatments require a bit of recovery time. However, given that light therapy causes no harm or injury, it stands to reason that there is zero downtime after light therapy treatment.

7. There Are Limited Side Effects

Most people experience zero side effects with light therapy. However, those with sensitive skin may experience redness over the next few days.

8. It May Take Multiple Treatments to Achieve the Desired Results

Light therapy is by no means a one and done treatment method. When it comes to our bodies, nothing is instant. Being exposed multiple times to a particular light will ensure that your body continues to respond to the treatment.

If you’re in Cincinnati, Ohio and want to learn more about light therapy and explore treatment options, then our experts at The Dermatology Group are here to help you explore treatment options, give you advice, resources, and more. Give us a call today!

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