The health sector has continuously experienced technological advancements that have led to various treatment methods. These treatment methods include light therapy, chemotherapy, artificial intelligence, robot surgery, and many more.
Light therapy is increasingly gaining popularity because of the benefits it offers to both human beings and animals. These benefits include increased energy, better mental health, reduced mood swings, better-regulated sleep, and increased self-esteem.
However, on the flip side, there are concerns about the safety of using light therapy. This article will look into that, helping you understand if light therapy is safe or not. Keep reading to learn more.
What Is Light Therapy
Light therapy is a non-invasive treatment method whereby light penetrates through the skin. Light emitting diode (LED) is the kind of light used in this treatment.
Various types of LED lights are used for treatment, including red, yellow, blue, and near-infrared light.
These types of LED light serve different purposes. For instance, the blue LED light is believed to damage the bacteria that cause acne. On the other hand, red LED light enhances collagen production and minimizes inflammation.
If you wish to learn more about light therapy, here’s a great post to read. It details everything you need to know. Today’s piece will, however, focus on the safety of using light therapy.
Light therapy can be used on both humans and animals as discussed below:
Light Therapy For Humans
The most used type of LED light on humans is red LED. Red Light Therapy (RLT) has several benefits for human beings. For starters, it’s used to increase collagen production and reduce inflammation. RLT also increases blood circulation and fibroblast production in human beings.
Therefore, Red Light Therapy is used to treat the following:
- Healing acne;
- Reducing stretch marks;
- Healing wounds;
- Reducing scar marks;
- Getting rid of age spots, wrinkles, and fine lines;
- Facilitating hair growth for people suffering from androgenic alopecia;
- Improving eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis;
- Smoothening your facial texture;
- Healing skin damaged by the sun; and
- Hair loss.
Light Therapy For Animals
Like humans, red light therapy is animals’ most used form of light treatment. Light treatment is used on animals to treat the following:
- Sore muscles;
- Inflammation;
- Infections;
- Joint pains;
- Muscle regeneration;
- Cuts and wounds;
- Osteoarthritis; and
- Other forms of pain.
Light therapy on animals and humans can be done at medical facilities or at home. You’ll need to purchase a light therapy device to do it at home.
Light Therapy Is A New Technology. So How Safe Is It?
One of the concerns about the safety of using light therapy is it’s a new treatment technology. On the contrary, light therapy is not new, as NASA used it in space. They used light therapy to grow plants since space doesn’t have the necessary conditions for growing plants.
Besides, light therapy has also been used to heal wounds due to its regenerative property.
Over the years, the use of LED light for treatment has advanced to offer various services, including treatment for animals and humans. Therefore, you shouldn’t be worried about the safety of using light for treatment because it’s a new technology. It’s not. This technology has existed for years; the only difference is the advancement of its uses.
How Does Light Therapy Work?
Another issue concerning the safety of light therapy is how it works. For example, you might be among the people who wonder whether it’s okay to expose your body to LED light, especially since it’s advisable to limit yourself from too much exposure to the sun. Too much exposure to the sun can cause harm to your body because of the harmful ultraviolet rays.
However, the light used in LED light therapy differs from the light received from the sun. Take note of the following facts to learn how light therapy is different:
- Light therapy doesn’t use harmful ultraviolet rays in its treatment.
- Unlike other treatment methods such as laser therapy, it doesn’t require recovery or downtime.
- You can use it on all skin types.
Moreover, the safety of light therapy is guaranteed as it doesn’t add anything to your body. Instead, it fastens the production of adenosine triphosphate, which increases cells’ energy. The increased energy helps the cells to function better.
What Are Its Side Effects
Most treatment methods have side effects, but the side effects associated with light therapy depend on some factors.
For instance, you might get burnt if exposed to the LED light for long hours.
Also, if you use the LED light without protecting your eyes when undergoing therapy, you risk damaging your eyesight.
Additional Safety Measures
The above information proves that light therapy is safe as it involves minimal risks despite offering various treatment solutions.
However, you can still take some measures to increase the safety of light therapy. These measures include:
- Maintain consistency with your treatment, especially when dealing with skin conditions such as acne. Consistency also helps in achieving results faster.
- Be cautious with the products you use on your skin and how to use them. This is because retinol products might increase your skin’s sensitivity during light therapy.
- You should avoid light therapy if you have a history of conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus and skin cancer.
- Keep a record of your treatment method, most preferably by taking photos after light therapy sessions. These photos will help you notice the changes you’re experiencing and whether they’re good or bad. If they’re bad, you need to consult a doctor.
- Avoid being exposed to the LED light for long.
- Moreover, when exposed to LED light, protect your delicate body parts, such as your eyes.
These measures will decrease the possibility of experiencing side effects and risks of light therapy.
Summing It Up!
Light therapy is one of the treatment methods that’s increasingly being used to treat various conditions. For example, light therapy can be used on people to deal with conditions such as burns, pain, wrinkles, acne, stretch marks, eczema, and many more.
On the other hand, light therapy is used on animals to reduce joint pains, infections, and inflammation, among others. This treatment has various benefits, such as saving time, better mental health, better moods, and minimal side effects.
In addition, you can use measures to increase the safety of light therapy. If you’re considering using light therapy and aren’t sure if it’s safe, you can use this article to understand how safe light therapy is. All the best!