4 ms·

The convincing science of light therapy

8 points by laurex 7y ago

jacek 7y ago
Nothing mentioned in this article is convincing. The author is not even trying to be convincing, she seems skeptical. > I’m not sure if it’s “working,” but I’m also not sure that it isn’t.
- rriepe 7y ago
  It's ad copy for the several-hundred-dollar products at the bottom.
raxxorrax 7y ago
Well, that skin is photo sensitive shouldn't be too surprising one would think and for indications like psoriasis it can indeed help to apply uv light (non ionizing). That latter is an immune reaction that produces too much skin cells and the stressor from light can significantly reduce this for a lot of patients. Given, it doesn't really heal the disease, but I believe people suffering from skin lesions will take anything to lessen the symptoms. While not deadly, it is a significant penalty to life quality. As for light beyond the uv spectrum which the article focuses on I don't know of any effects. Infrared light heats you up of course, but I am skeptical about the rest of the visible spectrum. UV-light ages your skin, that is why dermatologists try to restrict application of UV-light to patients after they received a certain dosage. I heavily doubt any form of light exposure can actually reduce aging effects.
nabla9 7y ago
If you fall for that, you can also fall for HumanCharger® https://www.humancharger.com https://www.humancharger.com Yes, you saw correctly. Lights you put into your ears and they affect your brain. Transcranial bright light should do something to you. The hypothesis is interesting and there is tiny amount of 'scientific research behind it', but just barely. The scientists involved were also founders in the company and the quality is not high but I think most of them believe it.
zimpenfish 7y ago
Augustus Pleasonton[1] must be dancing in his grave (although his money was on blue light being best.) (I learnt about him from "Banvard's Folly" by Paul Collins, a book I highly recommend if you can find it.) [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus_Pleasonton https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus_Pleasonton

8 points by laurex 7y ago

Nothing mentioned in this article is convincing. The author is not even trying to be convincing, she seems skeptical. > I’m not sure if it’s “working,” but I’m also not sure that it isn’t.

rriepe 7y ago
It's ad copy for the several-hundred-dollar products at the bottom.

raxxorrax 7y ago

Well, that skin is photo sensitive shouldn't be too surprising one would think and for indications like psoriasis it can indeed help to apply uv light (non ionizing). That latter is an immune reaction that produces too much skin cells and the stressor from light can significantly reduce this for a lot of patients. Given, it doesn't really heal the disease, but I believe people suffering from skin lesions will take anything to lessen the symptoms. While not deadly, it is a significant penalty to life quality. As for light beyond the uv spectrum which the article focuses on I don't know of any effects. Infrared light heats you up of course, but I am skeptical about the rest of the visible spectrum. UV-light ages your skin, that is why dermatologists try to restrict application of UV-light to patients after they received a certain dosage. I heavily doubt any form of light exposure can actually reduce aging effects.

nabla9 7y ago

If you fall for that, you can also fall for HumanCharger® https://www.humancharger.com https://www.humancharger.com Yes, you saw correctly. Lights you put into your ears and they affect your brain. Transcranial bright light should do something to you. The hypothesis is interesting and there is tiny amount of 'scientific research behind it', but just barely. The scientists involved were also founders in the company and the quality is not high but I think most of them believe it.

zimpenfish 7y ago

Augustus Pleasonton[1] must be dancing in his grave (although his money was on blue light being best.) (I learnt about him from "Banvard's Folly" by Paul Collins, a book I highly recommend if you can find it.) [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus_Pleasonton https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus_Pleasonton