Learn how light therapy can reduce inflammation, relieve itching, and promote skin healing for eczema. A safe, non-invasive solution for healthier skin.
Atopic dermatitis and atopic eczema are very common—many of us have visited a doctor for one of these conditions, seeking relief.
This dermatitis, now seen more often, follows a chronic course with flare-ups that can cause marked discomfort and appear almost anywhere on the body. While doctors usually prescribe topical creams for short-term relief, this seldom addresses the long-term impact.
The conditions produce inflamed skin that suddenly becomes dry, itchy, red, and sometimes blistered, especially on the hands, feet, wrists, ankles, face, neck, chest, inner elbows, and behind the knees.
Eczema can be intensely irritating; the itch and redness may noticeably reduce quality of life. Common sense urges heavy moisturizers, yet that alone does not always help.
The exact cause of atopic dermatitis remains unknown, but genetics appear to play a role, and the condition often accompanies asthma and hay fever. Atopic dermatitis is not an allergy to a specific substance, yet its presence raises the chance of developing asthma or hay fever—what doctors term the “atopic triad.” It is not contagious.
Skin is the body’s largest and most externally accessible organ. Sunlight has been used since antiquity to ease certain skin diseases.
Light therapy is a clinically validated technique that reproduces beneficial wavelengths artificially.
For chronic dermatitis, light therapy is one option; many patients notice improvement. Narrow-band, non-invasive UV light is typically used because it can be more effective for these skin conditions.
“The most common form is narrowband UVB, which has largely replaced broadband UVB and PUVA,” notes Dr. Guttman-Yassky, MD, Ph.D., dermatologist and director of the Laboratory of Inflammatory Skin Diseases at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. “Narrowband UVB may be best because it is safe and effective.”
Light therapy can help manage several skin disorders, including psoriasis, mycosis fungoides, acne, and severe chronic eczema, by reducing itch and inflammation. LED light therapy for skin has been used for years, with many users reporting noticeable benefits.
Mayo Clinic: Atopic dermatitis overview Harvard Health: LED lights for skin
Light therapy lamps for eczema are used specifically to ease inflammation, not in the same way they target acne. Home phototherapy for eczema should begin only after a professional consultation. During the visit, the dermatologist reviews any history of skin neoplasms, evaluates the lesion type, site, and extent, and then selects the most appropriate light-based regimen.
Because skin response varies, timing matters: early-morning sessions are usually preferred; evening exposure may disturb sleep. The anti-inflammatory effect of controlled light can calm even long-standing, severe eczema.
Beyond symptom control, phototherapy may smooth thickened plaques. As Dr. Guttman-Yassky notes, “light therapy also smoothes the lesions, decreasing skin thickening.”
Although individual results differ, some patients notice improvements in several co-existing skin issues during the same treatment course. Devices that carry appropriate safety certifications can support these goals when used as directed.
WebMD: UV therapy for eczema Mayo Clinic: atopic dermatitis treatments
