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What Is Light Therapy, and What Are the Potential Benefits?

Harnessing the healing power of light has been utilized throughout history and continues to evolve today. Learn what light therapy is and what it's used for.

ByAllison Futterman
Credit:AlexandrMusuc/Shutterstock

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Light emitting diode (LED) or light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that involves exposure to artificial light in varying colors to treat a variety of health benefits, mostly skin ailments.

Ancient Greeks recognized the healing potential of sunlight, and the city of Heliopolis was known for its healing temples. They had rooms with different colored window coverings — each meant to create a specific color of light thought to treat different conditions.

But just how successful are light therapy treatments? Here's what you should know about them.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, light therapy uses various wavelengths to treat specific conditions. The different wavelengths all produce different colors of light.

Read More: How to Improve Your Mental Health

Light therapy is used for a variety of health conditions and concerns. Its applications span from mental health treatments to dermatological therapies.

Red Light Therapy — used to treat acne, wrinkles, and ...

  • Allison Futterman

    Allison Futterman is a Charlotte, N.C.-based writer whose science, history, and medical/health writing has appeared on a variety of platforms and in regional and national publications. These include Charlotte, People, Our State, and Philanthropy magazines, among others. She has a BA in communications and an MS in criminal justice.

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