Why a Phototherapy Session Is Perfect in the Winter
Phototherapy is one of those cosmetic dermatology services that you might have heard about, but aren’t sure you want to try. The truth is that light therapies can work wonders for your skin, especially in the winter. Let’s take a look at a few types of phototherapy and why winter is the best time for you to invest in this treatment.
What to Know About Phototherapy
How Does Phototherapy Help Skin?
Phototherapy has made major strides in the skincare industry over the last few years. From LED therapy to treatments like laser stretch mark removal, phototherapy has a wide array of applications for skincare. To name a few, phototherapy has been used to improve skin texture and to treat enlarged oil glands. Not only can this help even out skin tone and contribute to an overall smoother complexion, but in some cases it may help reduce the occurrence of acne flare ups. Phototherapy can also help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. In addition, phototherapy is often used to treat conditions like vitiligo because it can help even out skin tone in areas that have lost pigmentation. Now, let’s review a few different types of phototherapy and how they can help your skin.
Laser Treatments
Laser treatments cover the largest portion of phototherapy services. Treatments like laser tattoo removal, laser stretch mark removal, and laser hair removal all fall under this category of phototherapy. Of course, those are just a few of the many laser treatments available to you. Laser treatments have been used to reduce the appearance of acne scarring and treat a number of skin cancers. Perhaps the biggest advantage of laser therapies is their precision. This makes these treatments an excellent option when hyper-specific areas and delicate skin need treatment.
LED Light Therapy
We mentioned vitiligo treatment earlier, and this particular type of phototherapy is excellent for that purpose. LED (light emitting diodes) treatments have been around for a long time, and can be used to reduce signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles. Of course, this is all possible because LED therapy is the gentlest form of light therapy available to patients. In addition, LED therapy can take the form of two different wavelengths: red and blue. Red light therapy can be used in anti-aging treatments and as a way to reduce skin inflammation. This makes it a popular option for treating conditions like rosacea and acne in some instances. Blue light therapy, on the other hand, is most often used to treat acne because it helps target and kill a specific acne-causing bacteria on the surface on the skin. This type of phototherapy is also used to treat certain precancerous spots on the skin.
Why Is Winter the Best Time to Invest in Phototherapy?
As with any cosmetic dermatology service, there may be some side effects post-treatment. When it comes to phototherapy, you may experience some redness, swelling, and tenderness in the treated area after your session ends. In some instances, your skin may feel dry and flaky for a few days afterward, as well. Your dermatologist will likely recommend staying away from sunlight and you may want to stay home until your skin settles. And since there’s typically less need to go outside and less sunlight during the winter, your healing process will be a little less strenuous and you won’t need to worry about going out in public.
If you’re ready to invest in phototherapy this winter, set up a consultation with our team at North Pacific Dermatology today.