What is light therapy
Light therapy treatment is a non-invasive procedure that can help you to reduce the appearance of dark spots and acne scars, brighten your complexion, and even improve your mood.
It is an alternative treatment to help relieve depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) symptoms.
How does it work?
The process involves using a special type of light-emitting diode that releases blue light that penetrates the uppermost layer of your skin – the epidermis – and activates the production of melanin in your skin.
Melanin is the pigment that gives color to your hair, eyes, and skin, but unfortunately, it also has a dark side: UV rays from the sun (or tanning beds) damage this pigment, which causes an uneven distribution in its levels across your face, resulting in hyperpigmentation (also known as dark spots).
Light therapy reverses this damage by stimulating melanin production in damaged areas, thereby evening out uneven pigmentation across your face for a more even complexion. The result is usually visible after only one or two treatments with a light therapy device.
Five light therapy benefits
All around the world, in home offices, cafes, and even in schools, light therapy has been used to solve several issues commonly associated with depressive states and skin conditions.
In addition, the use of lightboxes has been seen to have numerous health benefits, such as having a positive impact on your biological clock, improving mood swings, or helping individuals with sleep deprivation.
Anxiety and stress are the two most common causes of depression and sleep disorders. Most people don’t like to take sleeping pills, as they are addictive and can cause negative side effects. Instead, light therapy is a great alternative.
Here are five benefits of light therapy you didn’t know before:
1) Helps With Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that occurs during the winter months with less natural sunlight in your area. It’s estimated that as many as 10 million Americans suffer from SAD each year, primarily in the country’s northern parts, where daylight hours are significantly shortened during winter months.
Light therapy is sometimes referred to as “sunlight” or “bright light” therapy because it mimics outdoor light to affect those with mood disorders like seasonal affective disorder positively. Therefore, light therapy treatment is effective in treating the seasonal affective disorder.
2) Stress reduction
Light therapy has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety by stimulating the release of “feel good” hormones in the brain. It may also help relieve pain, improve your mood and increase your energy.
3) Reduces Depression
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs during the winter months due to decreased sunlight exposure. Energy-efficient lighting bulbs emit light that mimics natural sunlight and helps reduce depression symptoms.
4) Improves Sleep Patterns
Light therapy also helps treat insomnia by stimulating the body’s internal clock. This enables you to fall asleep faster at night to wake up feeling more refreshed in the morning.
5) Boosts Your Immune System
Studies show that light therapy improves immunity by increasing levels of white blood cells and stimulating cell regeneration. It also increases your resistance to sicknesses like colds or flu by boosting your immune system.