Sign Up & Get 20% Off Your First Purchase*
Introduction | How Does it work? | Uses | Side Effects | Top 10 Products
Using light to treat aches, pains, depression and skin disorders is becoming quite common these days and it is being recommended more and more as an effective therapy where drugs have no role to play. Light therapy, or phototherapy, is a procedure where the body is exposed to daylight or subjected to artificial light for a specified number of hours. Daily exposure to this light is considered to have a healing effect on those with a number of ailments, including SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Light and its Therapeutic UseIn this therapy, a light box which emits up to 10,000 lux of light is used and the patient has to sit in front of it at a comfortable distance for about 30 minutes a day, preferably early in the morning. Morning therapy is considered most effective because it is believed that light early in the morning helps in regulating the circadian rhythm. You are not required to look directly into the light but the eyes have to be at a given distance from the light source and the light has to strike the retina. The light should be projected downwards towards the eyes at an angle to reduce aversive visual glare. The patient can sit in front of the light box and eat, read or write but should not look directly into the light.
Skin disorders are treated using ultraviolet wavelengths. UV light is not effective in treating SAD and hence, the lightbox used to treat SAD is designed to filter out UV rays.
Two types of light therapy are there - targeted light therapy and non-targeted. Non-targeted therapy is the use of light boxes to treat SAD or non-seasonal disorders. Targeted therapy is used to treat acne and other skin disorders and is administered via specific wavelengths of light using polychromatic polarised light, lasers, light-emitting diodes, fluorescent lamps, dichroic lamps or very bright, full-spectrum light. Targeted therapy cannot be administered by self and has to be given in a clinic. This light is made to focus only on the affected skin areas thus leaving the unaffected areas unexposed to the light. Treatment is usually with narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) which is the safest wavelength.
Also treated by light therapy are chronic circadian rhythm sleep disorder (CRSD), delayed sleep phase disorder (DSPD), situational CRSD and neonatal jaundice. Additionally, light therapy is also the treatment given for insomnia and the eating disorder bulimia.
Light therapy for sleep disorders may cause edginess, nervousness, headache, irritation in the eye or nausea. It is not recommended for those who are prone to manic depression or people with eye problems such as cataract, glaucoma, retinal detachment or retinopathy. UV light can cause damage to the human skin and be the cause of cataracts. Those with sensitive skin should consult a doctor before going for light therapy. Some doctors have warned that the blue light could damage the retina and increase risk of age-related macular degeneration.
Therefore, any treatment with light should be done under a doctor’s supervision and one should not try to self-medicate. Before starting on such a therapy, you will need to inform the clinician about any drugs you might be taking, if you are allergic to something, whether you have an eye problem and/or photosensitive skin condition.
Bright light therapy reportedly activates the production of reproductive hormones like testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and estradiol.
The light therapy products available in the market today are generally considered safe and reliable. The desk lamp from Northern Light Technologies SADelite Desk Lamp is a user-friendly therapeutic light and spreads good cheer during the dark, depressing winter months. It has a recommended usage of 30 minutes a day to be effective. The SunBox SunLight Plus 10000 Lux SAD Lamp is intended for use by SAD sufferers. The Anti-Aging Light Therapy Panel by LED Technologies treats all skin ailments related to aging and gives a healthy, glowing, youthful skin.
Northern Light Technologies SADelite Desk Lamp | LED Technologies Anti-Aging Light Therapy Panel |
Resuscitate Light Therapy Pain Relief System includes incredible, therapeutic evaluation, pain treatment LED lights which spread a huge treatment zone and infiltrate profound into tissue to diminish aches and firmness. The lightweight handheld structure of light treatment is super easy to move around the body so the client can target sore spots. It's infrared light securely invigorates blood course, loosens up muscles, and soothes muscle fits and pain related to joint inflammation, tendonitis, muscle fit, hurts and pains, sprains and strains, carpal burrow disorder and numerous other physical diseases. FDA-cleared, OTC Class II therapeutic gadget safe for all skin types, including delicate skin.
Features of reVive Light Therapy Pain Relief System
dpl Flex Mitt Light Therapy For Hand relaxes muscles and improves circulation, pain relief, and healing for arthritis pain and stiffness, nerve injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive stress injury, and aches and strains in the hands. The medical-grade infrared light is fast and easy, safe and natural, and built to last.
Features of dpl Flex Mitt Light Therapy for Hand
dpl II Deep Penetrating Anti-Aging Light Therapy Panel System is a professional light therapy. It is an anti-aging light therapy system that is so advanced that a wearer can treat full face, neck, chest, hands and back in just a few minutes a day. Anti-aging effects include wrinkle/line reduction and prevention, hyperpigmentation treatment, skin tone, and color enhancement, and many other skin ailments resulting in healthy, glowing and youthful skin. In addition to anti-aging effects, powerful infrared (IR) LED lights support skin healing and recovery activity, alongside minimizing damage caused by sunburn, bruising, cuts, and scrapes, scarring, etc.
Features of dpl II Deep Penetrating Light Therapy Panel System
reVive Essentials Anti-Aging Light Therapy System is a clinically proven solution that makes your skin look and feels more youthful. It works from the inside out to tackle fine lines, wrinkles, elasticity, skin dullness, loss of firmness, and uneven skin tone. It is the most affordable FDA-cleared light therapy device on the market with 24 powerful, medical-grade, anti-aging LED lights.
Features of reVive Anti-Aging Light Therapy
Sunbox PEP Feel Bright Light Visor is an ultra-bright light therapy tool. Users can choose among the 2 light intensity settings at the push of a button and move around freely while getting their dose of bright light therapy for the day. The FBL uses long-lasting blue-green LED bulbs which produces no UV. It provides relief from winter blues, sleep disorders, SAD, and shift work changes that affect body clock and circadian rhythm.
Features of Sunbox Bright Light Visor
Pain Management Theralamp Hand Held Light Therapy Lamp provides therapeutic massage and deep relief on pain sites. Infrared heat penetrates far below the surface of the skin to soothe and comfort the nerves.
Features of Pain Management Light Therapy Lamp
The Northern Light Technologies Flamingo is an effervescent and luminous light which brings all the promise of springs, vitality and energy. This is an ideal complement to a morning workout on an exercise machine, as well as to any cosmetic treatment session that requires sitting for 30 to 60 minutes. Whether on a treadmill or having your hair done, the flamingo floor lamp stands at a height of 46" providing the warm and basking light your body craves.
Features of Northern Light Flamingo
Northern Light Technologies Lumie Bodyclock Active 250 Dawn Simulator is an alarm clock that wakes you naturally, with a sunrise that gradually brightens over 15, 20, 30, 45, 60 or 90 minutes. Light is a signal for your body to ease off production of sleep hormones and increase levels of those that help you get up and go. Also at the end of the day, there is a 15, 20, 30, 45, 60 or 90 minute sunset to help you to naturally unwind ready for bed.
Features of Northern Light Dawn Simulator
The Northern Light Technologies TRAVelite is a compact and versatile lightbox that will let you enjoy light in a variety of situations. It comes with a versatile stand that supports it either in a vertical or horizontal positioning on a flat surface as well as shining up or down. It has a wall mount feature which allows you to hang the lamp from a hook or nail. It works on all household voltages around the world. Use it in the office, at home or on a trip.
Features of Northern Light Travelite
ReVive Light Therapy Lip Care Device is designed to work from the inside out to tackle fine lines and creases of the lips. ReVive Light therapy is clinically proven to increase firmness and collagen to make lips and skin around the mouth look and feel healthier and more youthful.
Features of ReVive Light Therapy Lip Care Device
At Rehab Store, choose from an amazing range of light therapy aids that are designed to offer a wide range of therapeutic benefits at affordable prices.
However, it is advisable to consult a doctor before embarking on any kind of light therapy.
Disclaimer: All content found on our website, including images, videos, infographics and text were created solely for informational purposes. Our content should never be used for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment of any medical conditions. Content shared on our websites is not meant to be used as a substitute for advice from a certified medical professional. Reliance on the information provided on our website as a basis for patient treatment is solely at your own risk. We urge all our customers to always consult a physician or a certified medical professional before trying or using a new medical product.