Light therapy is exposure to artificial bright light through a light therapy box. It gives off light that simulates natural light from outdoors. Light therapy is also called phototherapy. It is used for treatment of a variety of conditions.
Conditions
Light therapy is used to treat certain psychological conditions such as depression, seasonal affective disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, jet lag and sleep disorders, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and postpartum depression. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved the use of light therapy for these conditions. However, the FDA has approved some types of light therapy for the treatment of acne and mild psoriasis.
Side Effects/Risks
There are some side effects and risks with the use of light therapy. You may experience eye strain, headache, nausea, vomiting, irritability or agitation, fatigue, dry mouth, sleep difficulties or mania in people with bipolar disorder. These conditions are typically mild and may go away after a few days of treatment. Changing the length of the treatment or taking breaks during treatment may help with these problems. For skin conditions, a common side effect is bruising that may last up to 10 days and a low risk of scarring.
Treatment
The treatment involves sitting at or near a light therapy box for periods of time. (It is necessary for the light to indirectly enter your eyes in the case of psychological conditions.) Typically it may start with 15-minute treatments, and in some cases gradually increasing the length of time to as much as 2 hours each day. For skin conditions, a common treatment may be 15 to 30 minutes every few weeks or two treatments per week. It may take up to six or eight treatments to be effective.
Results
While light treatment does not cure any of the mental conditions, it may diminish your symptoms. There may be noticeable improvement after a few days of treatment, but in some cases it can take as long as a couple of weeks. While the light therapy treatments for skin conditions have been successful, it is not yet known whether the improvements will be long term.
Considerations
You should not use light therapy without the advice of your doctor if your skin or eyes are sensitive to light or you are taking certain medications, such as some antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications that cause adverse reactions in sunlight. Some people with severe depression may have suicidal thoughts following light therapy treatment. Talk with your doctor or therapist before beginning light therapy treatment.
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