Psoriasis and eczema
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A feature of Psoriasis is excessively fast turnover of skin layers. Application of UV radiation to the skin damages it and thus slows this, and some improvements are seen in the condition. Light Therapy for skin conditions like Psoriasis or Eczema use UVA (315-400nm waveband) or UVB (280-315nm waveband) light waves. UVA normally combined with an orally taken drug is known as PUVA treatment. Narrow Band UVB is the 310nm wave length and is given as a light therapy treatment rather than full spectrum UVB.
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Tanning
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Tanning is caused by the effects of two different types of ultraviolet radiation: UVA and UVB.
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’Antiaging’
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Visible red light at 660nm activates ATP in skin cells and increase the rate of production of collagen for a few days, giving a lifting effect. No permanent improvement of skin aging has been demonstrated, but completion of the healing of skin damage does seem to proceed faster.
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Mood and sleep related
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Seasonal affective disorder
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Full sunlight is preferred for seasonal affective disorder. Other treatments are based upon infrared light exposure. There are a number of products (such as light boxes) using very intense artificial illumination that are effective for seasonal affective disorder. These products must provide 10,000 lux or more directed angularly at the user’s eyes, while filtering out any harmful ultraviolet radiation. Modern light boxes do not emit ultraviolet radiation. New research indicates that using only certain wavelengths of light (i.e., the “blue” wavelengths) is at least as efficacious as using 10,000 lux, at least until one approaches old age, when blue light is no longer more effective than red or green. Other studies have shown that blue light may play a role in developing age-related macular degeneration (ARMD).
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