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Risks
By Mayo Clinic staffLight therapy is generally safe. Side effects are generally mild and short-lasting when they do occur. They can include:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Eyestrain
- Irritability or agitation
- Mania, euphoria, hyperactivity, or agitation associated with bipolar disorder
- Dry mouth
- Sleep problems
When side effects do occur, they may go away on their own within a few days of starting light therapy. You also may be able to manage side effects by reducing treatment time, moving farther from your light box, taking breaks during long sessions, or changing the time of day you use light therapy. Talk to your doctor for additional help and advice, or if side effects don't go away or get worse.
When to use caution
It's always a good idea to talk to a doctor before starting light therapy. But it's especially important to consult your doctor first if:
- You have a condition that makes your skin especially sensitive to light, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- You take medications that increase your sensitivity to sunlight, such as certain antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and the herbal supplement St. John's Wort
- You have an eye condition that makes your eyes vulnerable to light damage
- You have a history of skin cancer
Ultraviolet light
Although light therapy boxes are designed to filter out harmful ultraviolet (UV) light, some may not filter it all out. This type of light can cause skin and eye damage. Look for a light therapy box that emits as little UV light as possible.
Tanning beds: Not an alternative to light therapy
Some people claim that tanning beds help ease seasonal affective disorder symptoms. But this hasn't been proven to work. Visible light, not the UV light released by tanning beds, is used in light therapy. The type of light released by tanning beds can damage your skin and may increase your risk of skin cancer.
Cautions for bipolar disorder and severe depression
Light therapy may trigger mania in some people with bipolar disorder. Also, there have been some cases in which light therapy seemed to cause suicidal thoughts. If you have any concerns about how light therapy may be affecting your mood or thoughts, seek help right away.
- Rosenthal NE, et al. Light therapy. In: Gabbard GO, et al. Treatments of Psychiatric Disorders. 4th ed.: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2007. http://www.psychiatryonline.com/content.aspx?aID=257853. Accessed July 13, 2010.
- Terman M. Evolving applications of light therapy. Sleep Medicine Reviews. 2007;11:497.
- Shirani A, et al. Illuminating rationale and uses for light therapy. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. 2009;5:155.
- Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder. 2nd ed. American Psychiatric Association. http://www.psychiatryonline.com/content.aspx?aID=49541&searchStr=phototherapy#49541. Accessed July 13, 2010.
- Howland RH. Somatic therapies for seasonal affective disorder. Journal of Psychological Nursing. 2009;47:17.
- Sivamani RK, et al. The benefits and risks of ultraviolet tanning and its alternatives: The role of prudent sun exposure. Dermatologic Clinics. 2009;27:129.
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