RT Book, Section A1 Conner-Kerr, Teresa A2 McCulloch, Joseph M. A2 Kloth, Luther C. SR Print(0) ID 1184834377 T1 Light Therapies T2 Wound Healing Evidence-Based Management, 4e YR 2010 FD 2010 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9780803619043 LK fadavispt.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1184834377 RD 2024/10/11 AB Humans have always sought the rays of the sun to treat a plethora of ailments. The therapeutic use of sunlight is known as heliotherapy. Heliotherapy involves controlled exposure of the skin to sunlight, with graduated increases in exposure time to avoid burning. Due to differences in the types of light rays that are present during the day and during the different seasons, it is recommended that individuals expose their skin to the sun in the morning during the summer and at noon during the winter.1 While many remain skeptical regarding the benefits of sunlight exposure, an evolving science is demonstrating the positive attributes of select wavelengths of light on human health. New technologies are being developed to deliver specific wavelengths of light to treat both physical and psychological ailments. The science behind these photo or light therapies, along with their potential benefits, will be discussed in this chapter.