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You might delay the diagnosis of skin problems, and LED therapy might aggravate your skin issues. To determine the effects of the NIR, the researchers relied on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale , Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and a Positive and Negative Affect Scale . PANAS determines a persons positive and negative affect and how a person feels at any given moment.
Red light penetrates deeper into the skin than other kinds of light, and this deep penetration makes it easier for cells inside the body to absorb the light. Scientists also refer to red light therapy as photobiomodulation therapy because of the way red light influences the function of body cells. To harness the power of red light and direct PBMT to specific parts of the body, health professionals have created red light beds and targeted deep tissue laser therapy systems. Typically, patients use a light box with a light intensity measuring 10,000 lux, positioned between 16 to 24 inches away from the face.
Blue Light and Our Eyes
Usually, these can be dealt with by adjusting the duration, intensity, or timing of the sessions. The therapy primarily treats major depressive disorder with seasonal patterns . In other words, blue light may help regulate emotional responses in the brain.
By using blue light in the morning, before the sun comes up, you can reset your circadian rhythm. The increased light will allow your body to produce more melatonin and adjust your energy during the day. When used properly, there are no significant long-term side effects of blue light therapy treatment. It’s much less invasive than surgery, and there’s usually either little or no scarring after the treated site heals. If these drugs are being used, the medication may need to be on the skin for a couple of hours up to a couple of days, for the skin to absorb the medication. Regardless of how long it’s left on, you’ll be advised to stay out of the sunlight and other bright light, protect your skin, and stay indoors as much as possible while the medication is on.
When To See A Specialist For Skin Problems
SelfHacked does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment. In babies with cholestasis, blue light therapy may cause the “bronze baby syndrome”, where the skin and urine become a gray-brown color. The devices used for acne treatment are hand-held blue LED lights. You should use them in close contact with the skin for short periods of time (3 – 4 minutes on each area), as recommended by your doctor.
Light therapy is a proven treatment for seasonal depression — and it might help with other forms of depression, too. The effects of blue light, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, showed some fascinating results. It’s a condition that begins to be apparent when the nights start getting longer and there’s less daylight. For many, it makes getting through the darker winter months more difficult. You may also experience headaches, blurry vision, fatigue and eye strain while using light therapy.
What Our Testers Say
As the wavelengths of light contact your eyes and skin, they cause physiological, physical, and psychological changes that are thought to reduce some depression symptoms. Light therapy is also believed to affect the circadian rhythm, which is the natural biological clock our bodies run on. According to studies, This form of therapy has been known to cause changes in appetite, sleep patterns, energy levels and mood, and hair and skin health.
Blue light therapy for depression holds the potential to help many who struggle with SAD and find relief. If you are dealing with issues related to stress, depression, and anxiety, you might be tired on the monthly trek to your doctor for a new prescription. Given the evidence that red light therapy may offer a great alternative treatment, it might be something you want to consider.
And these features make it the most transport-friendly lamp we tested. Our Best Overall pick, the Verilux HappyLight Light Therapy Lamp, is compact, user-friendly, and effective. Our Best Budget pick, the Carex Light Therapy Lamp, has a no-frills design and wallet-friendly price point. Lily is a writer specializing in health, wellness, and fitness. She covers fitness and health products for Verywell Health, Verywell Mind, and Verywell Fit. A good brand will always produce quality products, so a product with an established name should be good enough for your needs.
And according to our tester, the Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light is worth the hype. She felt more positive and alert most of the days she woke up to this alarm clock, rating it a 4.5 out of 5 for both mood-boosting effect and energy-boosting effect. Our tester also found the lamp gentler than a traditional alarm clock or phone alarm. It’s especially effective when treating major depressive disorder with seasonal patterns, formerly known as seasonal affective disorder . This condition is often partially caused by dreary winter weather, darker days, and spending more time indoors. In addition to treating skin conditions and cancer, blue light therapy can also be used as a treatment for depression.
The treated area may crust over or peel, but this is considered normal. Most people heal within 7 days, and the crusting resolves within 3 to 14 days. Blue light therapy is most commonly used to treat sun damage and premalignant or malignant skin cancer growths. It can actually be used to prevent skin cancer and remove both precancerous skin lesions and cancerous skin lesions that haven’t spread to other areas of the body . This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.
Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site. Below we’ll look further at a few of the different types of depression. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 21% of U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2020, and 16.5% of U.S. adolescents experienced mental illness in 2016. This formerly taboo subject is finally emerging as a normal consideration in overall health without the stigma it previously held. Light therapy may be used as a stand-alone or add-on treatment. It provides an alternative or add-on to medical interventions like medications, but is not taken internally.
A professional may be able to provide advice on what device to use, and when and how to use it. This article reviews in more detail what blue light therapy is, how it may treat depression, what the research says, and more. With that being said, if you are suffering from bipolar disorder, you may have to use light therapy with caution. You should get expert advice from a health professional before receiving light therapy. Furthermore, if you are on a particular medication or are extra sensitive to light, you are also advised to consult your doctor first before undergoing light therapy. Talkspace articles are written by experienced mental health-wellness contributors; they are grounded in scientific research and evidence-based practices.
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