Light therapy Facts for Kids

Light therapy lamps often look like bright daylight.

Light therapy is a special kind of treatment that uses light to help people feel better. It can help with things like feeling sad or down, having trouble sleeping, and even some skin problems. During light therapy, a person sits near a special light source. This light usually gives off a wide range of colors, much like natural sunlight. Sometimes, it's important to do this at a specific time of day to get the best results.

How Light Therapy Works
- Light for Mood and Sleep
- Light for Skin Problems
History of Light Therapy
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How Light Therapy Works

Light therapy works by sending light into your eyes or onto your skin. This light can affect your body in different ways.

Light for Mood and Sleep

Your body has a natural clock called the circadian rhythm. This clock helps you know when to be awake and when to sleep. Natural light, especially sunlight, helps set this clock. When there isn't enough natural light, like in winter or for people who work at night, this clock can get mixed up. This can lead to feeling tired, sad, or having trouble sleeping.

Light therapy helps by giving your body the light it needs. It can make your brain produce less melatonin, a hormone that makes you feel sleepy. This can help you feel more awake and improve your mood. It's often used for a type of sadness called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which happens when there's less sunlight.

Light for Skin Problems

Light therapy can also be used to treat certain skin conditions. Different types of light, like blue light or ultraviolet (UV) light, can help.

Treating Acne with Light

For example, blue light therapy can help people with acne. Acne is caused by bacteria on the skin. Blue light can kill these bacteria, which helps clear up pimples. It's a gentle way to treat acne without using strong medicines.

Helping Newborn Jaundice

Another important use of light therapy is for newborn jaundice. This happens when a baby has too much of a substance called bilirubin in their blood, which makes their skin look yellow. Special blue lights help break down the bilirubin so the baby's body can get rid of it easily. This is a very common and safe treatment for babies.

Light for Psoriasis

Light therapy is also used for a skin condition called psoriasis. Psoriasis causes red, scaly patches on the skin. Controlled exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light can slow down the growth of skin cells and reduce inflammation, making the skin look and feel better. This treatment is usually done by a doctor or nurse.

History of Light Therapy

People have known for a long time that sunlight can be good for health. In ancient times, people used sunlight to treat various illnesses. In the early 20th century, doctors started using special lamps to give light therapy. For example, sunlight was used to help children with certain bone problems, like those caused by tuberculosis. As science advanced, we learned more about how different types of light affect the body, leading to the modern light therapies we use today.