If you suffer from acute skin conditions, you may want to try taking light therapy. This therapy is sometimes recommended for dealing with complex skin conditions, as well as medical conditions.
Light Therapy, also known as Phototherapy, is a system that solves medical or cosmetic problems with light. In a broader sense, phototherapy may even be able to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. However, it also can deal with discolored skin.
Light therapy has a very broad range of usage. That’s why more often than not you will see people using light therapy at home, or consulting experts to get specific types of phototherapy. Very few therapies can deal with so many different types of issues. However, light therapy in skincare is probably the most famous use of this therapy.
Light therapy is often conducted by devices ranging in size from a light array in the size of a closet to a handheld device. Phototherapy uses different colors of light or different wavelengths of light to deal with a number of different health issues.
Let’s take a glance at some skin conditions that can be treated with light therapy.
Some Skin Conditions that can be Treated with Light Therapy
1. Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a very common skin condition that does not have any cure. That’s why psoriasis treatment emphasizes minimizing the symptoms. Plaque psoriasis is the most common, which causes ‘plaques’ or dry skin patches. Psoriasis occurs when your body starts producing skin cells rapidly, leaving the skin with visible scarring on the skin.
Light therapy deals with psoriasis with light exposure which can actually slow down this excessive production of your skin cells. Light therapy can eliminate or reduce itching, inflammation, and settle an overactive system.
Light therapy for psoriasis usually involves the use of a light type named narrowband UVB. To treat more sensitive and specific areas of the body, this focus is applied through an excimer laser to get a better focus.
At times, light therapy is combined with a drug named Psoralen. It makes the human body more responsive to sunlight exposure. You will take psoralen pills or soak the treatment area with water before phototherapy.
The result of light therapy for psoriasis is less irritation, clear skin, and less glow. This is not a miraculous cure, but your psoriasis often reigns in if you follow this procedure prescribed by a dermatologist.
2. Vitiligo
Vitiligo is another type of skin condition in which melanocytes stop generating melanin. Due to that, the skin starts to get pale in some areas.
Like psoriasis treatment, light therapy for vitiligo also uses a combination of light and psoralen. When light therapy and psoralen are used in combination, it is known as photochemotherapy.
By calculating the hardness of your patio and its position, UVB or UVA light is going to be operated and in a few cases, excimer lasers are used too.
These high levels of sunlight kickstart the production of melanin in human skin, restoring the skin’s natural pigment to get involved around the skin.
3. Actinic Keratosis
Also known as AK, actinic keratosis or one-to-one skin lesions may be primary lesions defined by different colored crusty patches.
These can often turn into carcinomas if left untreated, and can even be fatal in case they metastasize to internal organs of the body. AK is associated with sun damage, hence usually affects people who work in sunlight for a long period of time.
While it’d sound unreasonable, since sun damage may cause keratosis, phototherapy is a good way to deal with this condition.
More often than not, light-sensitizing agents are applied to it and then exposed to blue, red, or laser light. The whole process is called photodynamic therapy.
Photodynamic therapy is often accustomed to treat a variety of conditions like keratosis and cancer and is very efficient on the face and scalp.
Final Thoughts
Phototherapy is a fantastic process to treat cosmetic and medical issues. It’s essential to notice that it’s not for everybody. Those with a history of skin cancers should not receive phototherapy.
There are certain diseases, lupus for instance, which cause you to be more sensitive to light. Don’t take light therapy if you have a condition like this one.
Another light therapy process is called a light-emitting diode. That also helps to treat various skin issues.
LED (Light-emitting diode) light therapy is flourishing in popularity in recent times. It helps with issues like:
- Acne
- Inflammation
- Anti-aging effects
If you are experiencing this type of skin care concern and are not getting your desired results from over-the-counter (OTC) skin products, you may be a candidate for LED light therapy. LED therapy is extra safe for all skin tones and it does not cause burning or damage.
Dermatologists very often prescribe light therapy for the skin problems discussed above. If you think this is right for you, visit your nearest Dermatology Associates office today for advice.
Additional information: https://platinumtherapylights.com/blogs/news/light-therapy-for-psoriasis
