Light therapy is common treatment for vitiligo ,it based on the finding that
certain wavelengths of ultraviolet light powerfully induce melanin synthesis
leading to repigmentation. Sunlight contains a broad band of ultraviolet rays,
which may result in the production of excessive pigment and diffuse darkening of
the skin, depending on how much exposure took place.
Among other vitiligo treatments, light therapy- particularly narrow band UVB light therapy- is up to 93 percent effective in re-pigmenting the skin partially or fully. The remission rate of light therapy is around 50 percent at 6 months, which is a much better remission rate than most other vitiligo treatments.
The mechanism is two-fold: melanin is synthesized and packaged into melanosomes, a process called neo-melanogenesis, and melanocytes migrate into the light-exposed area of depigmented skin.
At the same time, ultraviolet light also brings about two effects specifically helpful in vitiligo:
It suppresses autoimmune activity by inducing T-regulatory (suppressor) cell activity, by upregulating the release of the cytokine IL-10 which stimulates the differentiation and activation of T-regulatory cells.
Systemic immune responses may also occur with narrowband ultraviolet B.
Does Lack of Light Hurt the Body?
Science is just now beginning to explore the possible benefits of all light spectrums. This not only benefits patients with vitiligo, but also the general population. For years scientists and health professional have known that a lack of sun exposure could suppress the immune system and cause problems like rickets, but the full benefits of sun exposure have only begun to be explored.
However, researchers have studied what happens when humans do not get enough sun.
No light, artificial light, and light filtered through windows all have damaging effects on the body. The main reason why windows and artificial light have a poor effect on the body is not so much from lack of light, but simply because windows filter out some of the light spectrum and artificial light only produces a small part of the light spectrum, which could increase the risks of sun exposure.
Among other vitiligo treatments, light therapy- particularly narrow band UVB light therapy- is up to 93 percent effective in re-pigmenting the skin partially or fully. The remission rate of light therapy is around 50 percent at 6 months, which is a much better remission rate than most other vitiligo treatments.
The mechanism is two-fold: melanin is synthesized and packaged into melanosomes, a process called neo-melanogenesis, and melanocytes migrate into the light-exposed area of depigmented skin.
At the same time, ultraviolet light also brings about two effects specifically helpful in vitiligo:
It suppresses autoimmune activity by inducing T-regulatory (suppressor) cell activity, by upregulating the release of the cytokine IL-10 which stimulates the differentiation and activation of T-regulatory cells.
Systemic immune responses may also occur with narrowband ultraviolet B.
Does Lack of Light Hurt the Body?
Science is just now beginning to explore the possible benefits of all light spectrums. This not only benefits patients with vitiligo, but also the general population. For years scientists and health professional have known that a lack of sun exposure could suppress the immune system and cause problems like rickets, but the full benefits of sun exposure have only begun to be explored.
However, researchers have studied what happens when humans do not get enough sun.
No light, artificial light, and light filtered through windows all have damaging effects on the body. The main reason why windows and artificial light have a poor effect on the body is not so much from lack of light, but simply because windows filter out some of the light spectrum and artificial light only produces a small part of the light spectrum, which could increase the risks of sun exposure.
