Healing with Light - Is it safe for the Body? (The Ultimate 2024 Guide!)

Over the years, light therapy has been one of the most recommended treatment alternatives. 

However, is it safe for the body? Well, yes! 

It is a safe light therapy treatment and doesn’t come with any significant side effects. 

What is Light Therapy?

Phototherapy also recognized as light therapy, is mainly the treatment by applying different wavelengths of light to counter certain diseases. This therapy became famous among people who want to deal with: 

• Acne

• Scars

• SAD 

• Wrinkles

• Fine lines

• Improve circulation and more. 

Types of Light Therapy

There are kinds of light therapy that use different wavelengths to get different therapeutic results. For instance: 

Check Out This Video and See What Dr.Jo Has To Say

What is Light Therapy? Does it Help?

How Light Therapy Works?: The Science Behind

In light therapy, certain wavelengths reach deep into your tissues and stimulate cellular processes. 

Such exposure can: 

• Improves mitochondrial function

• Enhance energy production within the cells

• Reduce oxidative stress

• Improve your blood circulation

• Reduce inflammation and tissue repair. 

Most of the recent research findings prove light therapy to be highly useful against disorders like: 

• Chronic pains

• Skin diseases

• Neurological disorders

You Can Watch This Video For A Detailed Understanding:

What Science ACTUALLY Says About Red Light Therapy

Applications of Light Therapy

Medical Applications of Light Therapy

Light therapy has shown remarkable results in different medical applications: 

Skin Conditions

Light therapy efficiently treats several skin conditions, like

Pain Management

Light therapy is also quite effective when it comes to pain management. Here’s what it can do: 

Mental Health

Light therapy is also used in treating mental health disorders, which includes:

Cosmetic Applications

Light therapy has several applications in cosmetics:

• Anti-Aging Treatments: It is used to remove wrinkles and fine lines by increasing the production of collagen. This helps you get younger-looking skin.

• Hair Growth Stimulation: The stipulated wavelengths basically stimulate hair growth, reducing hair loss.

• Skin Rejuvenation: Smooths and radiates the complexion of your skin tone. This is possible through increased collagen synthesis.

Performance and Recovery

Light therapy can work wonders for athletes to help increase their physical performance. This therapy method treats sports injuries by increasing your muscle recovery speed and reducing inflammation.

3 Major Benefits of Light Therapy

1. Painless Treatment

Light therapy is completely painless making it even ideal for small children. However, we always recommend that you consult with an expert first as your child might be sensitive to such light. 

2. Drug-Free Alternative with Minimal Side Effects

As it’s a drug-free treatment, light therapy makes a remarkable treatment option for those who prefer avoiding certain medications or can’t tolerate them. Plus, as it’s safe to use, there are little to no chances of side effects.

3. Promotes Natural Healing Processes

It enhances the body's natural healing process by: 

• Increasing circulation

• Decreasing inflammation

• Improving cellular function

Potential Risks and Side Effects

Here are some of the potential drawbacks of light therapy. 

1. Eye Irritation or Strain

Bright light treatment involves the use of high-intensity light, which may sometimes lead to eye irritation or straining of the eyes. The reason is high light intensity is generally overwhelming, especially to those who are not used to it. 

Moreover, excessive bright light, if continued for a very long period, might tire the eyes and cause problems like: 

• Dryness

• Irritation

• Heavy feeling

So, it is essential to ensure proper precautions like wearing protective goggles or even minimizing the intensity if necessary. 

2. Headaches

Light therapy is considered to be a provoking factor for headaches in many users due to overexposure to the light being used for therapy. 

This happens when the brightness of light causes visual discomfort or strain, which later elevates the symptoms of headache. 

People who are light-sensitive, or have underlying conditions, like migraines, may be easily affected. 

As a precautionary measure, start using it with short sessions and increase the duration while observing any side effects. 

It is also possible to make adjustments in terms of the light intensity and its position to reduce the risks of headaches.

3. Skin Reactions

Light therapy may cause, in some cases, skin reactions with reddening, itching, or irritation. This is very true in ultraviolet light therapy, where one is exposed to UV light to cure disorders like psoriasis or eczema. The UV light will cause further risk of skin irritation or burns if used on sensitive skin or misapplied. For other kinds of non-UV light therapy, reactions are less common, even if still possible for some people. It is recommended to follow all guidelines for the safe usage of therapy, the amount of time it should be used for, and maintaining an appropriate distance from the light. If such skin reactions do happen, consulting a healthcare professional would help in changing the settings of therapy to avoid such problems.

4. Contraindications and Precautions

Here’s when you should avoid taking light therapy sessions

• If you have photosensitivity disorders or specific skin conditions.

• If you are on medications that render your light-sensitive.

Check Out These Reddit Comments And See What Benefits RLT Users Have Been Getting

How come red light therapy is supposedly good for EVERYTHING? : r/30PlusSkinCare

Is red light therapy helpful? : r/30PlusSkinCare

Has anyone had any success with red light therapy?

General Expert Opinions About Light Therapy Safety

So far, light therapy is considered to be safe and effective for many people. However, for some, the results might vary. 

This is why following the guidelines and consulting a professional is always recommended, especially the effective dosage for your case. 

Is Light Therapy Safe for Everyone?

Factors Affecting Safety

Light therapy is relatively safe, depending on skin type sensitivity, and current medical conditions. It may irritate people with very sensitive skin. 

Certain people with medical conditions must, therefore, seek advice from health professionals before treatment. 

Directions for Safe Use

In using light therapy safely, you should do the following:

• Consult a certified skin care professional or a dermatologist. The skin conditions need to be assessed by a certified skin care professional or a dermatologist to prescribe the right course of treatment.

• Patch testing will allow for the determination of any reaction of the skin before full treatment.

• During the treatment, protective goggles or eye shields should be worn to keep the eyes from direct exposure to light.

• Observe the recommended times of treatment and frequency of use. This is also to prevent overuse and any other side effects.

Proper Equipment—Why They Are Important

Home devices, when necessary, should be FDA-cleared and manufacturer-provided instructions should be followed to minimize risks.

Case Studies and User Testimonials

You must go through the case studies and user testimonials before taking your light therapy sessions. Some users claimed that they got better skin conditions and improved moods when the safety guidelines recommended by the professions were followed. 

Choosing the Right Light Therapy Device

When it comes to choosing the right light therapy devices, there are certain checklists that you need to follow: 

The Type of Light Therapy Devices

• Handheld Devices: These portable devices work wonders for spot treatments of a specific area on the body, such as the face or joints.

• Panels: Full-length devices designed to treat the entire body from head to toe, used for skin rejuvenation or muscle recovery processes.

• Face Masks: Made to contour the face and often combine different wavelengths in a single device, these provide an overall light treatment to the entire face.

Key Features to Look For

• Wavelength: Emittance of specific wavelengths known for their therapeutic effects, such as red (630-850 nm) for skin health, and near-infrared for better penetration to deeper tissues.

• Intensity: The energy output of the device should be measured in milliwatts per square centimeter for enough treatment intensity.

• FDA approval: Choose devices that have clearance or certification from the FDA for safety and effectiveness.

Expert Opinions and Research

Insights from Healthcare Professionals

Dermatologists and physiotherapists are very well aware of the benefits that light therapy offers in various conditions. 

For instance, Dr. Dray suggested light therapy for acne and anti-aging and she insists that you should only use FDA-approved devices for safety and effectiveness.

Here’s what Dr. Dray has said in her video:

Vlog: RETINOL & LED LIGHT THERAPY?| Dr Dray

Summary of Recent Studies and Clinical Trials

New studies and clinical trials have been focused on the beneficial impacts of phototherapy on selective dermatologic diseases, such as psoriasis, eczema, and acne. 

Light therapy especially through near-infrared and red light has shown an astounding impact on reducing inflammation and shortening the healing process. 

Besides curing several skin diseases, light therapy has been reported to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Exposure to the correct type of light has been shown to kill bacteria, clear psoriasis, and other skin conditions, and elevate mood. 

Most importantly, it is helpful in the dark months when sunlight is not available for long.

Prospects of Light Therapy in Medical and Cosmetic Fields

The future of light therapy is quite promising, as research initiates wider uses, including medical and cosmetic applications. 

Technological advancements continue to make light therapy devices so much more effective and user-friendly at home, raising accessibility for the user.

This way, with a deeper understanding of light therapy and devices, users can easily make more informed decisions about their best needs. 

It will then lead to a better choice of the best therapy options and sessions for quicker and more effective results. 

So, with technological innovations developing, a deep understanding of how light therapy works will only increase the rise, benefitting healthcare and beauty sectors with enhanced treatments.

It’s A Safe Process And You Should Definitely Go For It!

Light therapy, without question, is a remarkable treatment option and if you take the sessions right, you will always get results. Plus, you also need to ensure the device you take for home use is of a good brand and is reliable. This way you will get your results within less time and you won’t need to worry about side effects and other risks. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What are the side effects of light therapy?

Other risks related to light therapy include the accelerated aging of the skin and an increased propensity for skin cancer. Eye strain and temporary headaches are common but do not suggest permanent injury.

2. How often should I use light therapy?

LED face masks are typically used for 20 to 30 minutes, two to three times a week.

3. Can light therapy help with depression?

The normal prescription for light therapy is 10,000 lux for 30 minutes to 2 hours in the early morning. Studies are inconclusive about its effectiveness at other times of the day.

4. Can light therapy be used in combination with other treatments?

In most cases, it is combined with creams, ointments, and facials by skin specialists for optimum results. There also exist devices for LED light therapy at home; these include LED masks.

Related Article:

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