When to do Light Therapy?

Light therapy has been one of the significant therapies to ensure wellness and fitness. Many professional therapists and healthcare professionals now recommend this therapy to their clients and patients.

Yet there is a question of whether there is a suitable time to get this therapy.

Well, one can take light therapy at any time with a light therapy home device. However, the color of light can influence your daily routine. If you are using a red light therapy device, using it after sunset will give you the best benefit. If the device you are using emits blue light, use it earlier in the morning to get the best therapeutic benefits. 

Let’s discuss this right below.

When Should You Use Light Therapy?

Different light wavelengths work differently on your body. The blue light wavelengths are the smallest among the visible light spectrum, and these wavelengths help kill harmful bacteria and fungi residing on your skin. 

Additionally, blue light triggers serotonin and dopamine hormone in your brain. Therefore, after getting blue light therapy, your mood elevates, and your body tends to wake up and is filled with energy. 

For this reason, professionals suggest avoiding getting blue light therapy after sunset. When you take blue light therapy later in the day, your circadian rhythm may be disrupted and will hamper your sleep cycle. You may experience insomnia and anxiety later at night.

Thus, it is recommended to get blue light therapy earlier in the day. Your body will fully wake up and feel enthusiastic about getting your job done when you get this therapy earlier in the morning.

On the other hand, red light and near-infrared light wavelengths influence melatonin production in the body. Thus, your mind will feel calm, and your body will be prepared to fall asleep. 

If you use red light therapy in the early morning, your body will feel sleepy and low-energy due to increased melatonin production. This will also hamper your day-to-day activities. Therefore, it is recommended to get red light therapy later in the day, possibly after sunset.

If you struggle to fall asleep, avoid getting blue light therapy later in the day and get red light therapy. On the other hand, if you find it challenging to stay asleep, you can use blue light therapy during the afternoon and red light therapy right before you sleep.

Also, avoid pulsed LED light therapy as this therapy cannot provide you with enough therapeutic benefits. 

Also Read Can Your Brain Be Trained For A Better Sleep

Why Should You Consider Getting Light Therapy?

Now, there are several reasons to consider light therapy. Here are some of the reasons why this method of treatment is so beneficial:

• Light therapy can treat your SAD or even other mental conditions with a proper doctor’s recommendation.

• It’s safe and has no drastic side effects.

• It acts like psychotherapy and can help treat various mental health, physical health, and skin issues. 

• This therapy can be used during breastfeeding or pregnancy to replace antidepressant medications. 

• It can help you with anti-aging, wrinkles, face linings, increase muscle mass, remove stretch marks, and many more.

These are a few of the benefits that you’ll get from taking these therapies. Researchers are still finding many other discoveries related to this treatment method.

Who Can Be Benefited from Light Therapy?

As mentioned earlier, several physical and mental conditions can be treated with light therapy.

If you are suffering from conditions like SAD, jet lag, sleep disorders, dementia, various kinds of depression, or work on the night shift, light therapy can be great therapy for you. 

Light therapy also helps treat various skin conditions like psoriasis and other skin conditions. Even your acne, wrinkles, and fine lines can be reduced with this therapy. 

Although there are various wavelengths of light, all perform a different type of treatment. Light therapy devices utilize LED bulbs that do not contain harmful UV rays. Thus, it can help you with various health conditions as long as you use it perfectly and regularly. 

Associated Risks of Light Therapy

Although light therapy is non-invasive and does not have many side effects, there might be some short-term problems you may face:

• Headache

• Nausea

• Eyestrain

• Agitation

• Mania hyperactivity, or mania due to bipolar disorder

However, these side effects may not last for long, and most people may not encounter such difficulties. But if you face any such problems, seek your doctor’s advice to find the best possible solution.

Bottom Line

Light therapy can be your best friend if you follow the proper regulation and timely use it. This therapy does not take much time, and you can conduct your other chores while taking this therapy.

Your physical and mental health can benefit highly from this therapy, and you will be able to resolve several skin conditions. Be consistent in using this therapy to gain the best benefits for your health.