Download Chp 19 Light Therapy

Light Therapy
Application of light rays to the skin for the
treatment of disorders
Effects of various kinds of Light Therapy
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Ultraviolet
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Beneficial effects
 Increases the elimination of waste products
 Improves the flow of blood & lymph
 Has a germicidal & antibacterial effect
 Produces vita min D in the skin
 Can be used to treat rickets (soft & deformed
bones ), psoriasis & acne
 Produces a tan
Effects of various kinds of Light Therapy
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Infrared
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Beneficial effects
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Heats & relaxes the skin
Dilates blood vessels & increases circulation
Produces chemical changes
Increases metabolism
Increases production of perspiration & oil
Deep penetration relieves pain in sore muscles
Soothes nerves
Effects of various kinds of Light Therapy
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White light
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Beneficial effects
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Relieves pain in the back of the neck & shoulders
Produces some chemical & germicidal effects
Relaxes muscles
Effects of various kinds of Light Therapy
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Blue light
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Beneficial effects
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Soothes nerves
Improves skin tone
Provides some chemical & germicidal effects
Used for mild cases of skin eruptions
Produces little heat
Effects of various kinds of Light Therapy
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Red light
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Beneficial effects
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Improves dry, scaly wrinkled skin
Relaxes muscles
Penetrates the deepest
Produces the most heat
Light Therapy
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Artificial light rays are produced by an
electrical apparatus called a therapeutic
lamp
In some states it is illegal to cause visible
muscle contractions with faradic or
sinusoidal currents.
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Always check w/your regulatory agency
CAUTION:
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For high-frequency current, either direct
or indirect, the same contraindications
apply as for galvanic current
In addition, the client should avoid any
contact w/metal, such as chair arms,
stools, jewelry, & metal bobby pins during
the treatment
A burn may occur if such contact is made
CAUTION:
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Client’s eyes always should be protected
during any light ray treatment
Use cotton pads saturated w/alcohol-free
freshener or distilled water
The eye pads protect the eyes from the
glare of the reflecting rays
CAUTION:
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DO NOT use faradic or sinusoidal currents if it
causes pain or discomfort, if the face is very
ruddy (red in color), or if your client has goldfilled teeth, high blood pressure, broken
capillaries, or pustular skin conditions
Never use faradic or sinusoidal currents longer
than 15 – 20 minutes
CAUTION:
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Tesla high-frequency current should not
be used on clients who are pregnant,
suffer from epilepsy (seizures) or asthma
or who have high blood pressure, a sinus
blockage, a pacemaker, or metal implants
Visible light
Electromagnetic radiation that we
can see
Also called “radiant energy”
Visible light makes up 35%
of natural light
Ultraviolet rays & infrared rays are
forms of electromagnetic radiation
Visible light
Violet has the shortest wavelength & red has the longest
Primary source of light used for facial and scalp treatments
Bulbs used for therapeutic visible light therapy are white, red, and blue
White light
referred to as “combination light”
benefits of all the rays of the visible spectrum
Blue light
should only be used on oily skin that is bare
contain few heat rays, is the least penetrating
some germicidal & chemical benefits
Red light
used on dry skin in combination with oils & creams
penetrates the deepest & produces the most heat
Therapeutic lamps
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Used to produce artificial light rays in the salon
Capable of producing the same rays that are
produced by the sun
Three effects produced by therapeutic lamps are:
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Thermal ( heat )
Mechanical
Chemical
Ultraviolet rays (UV)
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Make-up 5% of natural sunlight and are also
referred to as cold rays or actinic rays
Least penetrating rays
Produce chemical effects
Kill germs
Ultraviolet rays (UV)
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Exposure to the sun can be beneficial if
guidelines are followed
Natural sunlight kills germs and produces
vitamin D in the skin
Stimulates the skin’s production of melanin,
which causes a tan and helps protect the skin
from further damage
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But deep tanning is another matter
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It is a sign that the skin is under attack from UV radiation
Ultraviolet rays (UV)
Over 1 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed
each year
Estimated that 1 in 5 will develop skin cancer & 90% of
those cancers will be the result of exposure to UV
radiation from the sun and from tanning beds
Infrared rays
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Make up 60% natural light sunlight
Long wavelengths
Penetrate the deepest
Produce the most heat
Did You Know……..
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Although salon lighting is not a form of light therapy,
the quality of this light can have an effect on your work
and your client’s satisfaction
Fluorescent light is produced by fluorescent lamps and
is much cooler (green-blue) than natural sunlight
Incandescent light is produced by standard (tungsten)
light bulbs and is warmer (yellow-gold) than either
natural sunlight or fluorescent light
Did You Know……..
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Your client’s hair and skin will appear more green-blue
when viewed with fluorescent lighting and more golden
when viewed with incandescent lighting
Take caution when handling fluorescent light bulbs;
they contain dangerous substances, including mercury
Be careful not break fluorescent bulbs, and dispose of
used bulbs properly