Heliotherapy recommends exposure to the sun to cure illnesses. But it’s important to note that the sun’s ultraviolet rays are not harmless to the skin and that too long exposure increases the risk of skin cancer.

Heliotherapy – literally sun therapy – is a medical practice born at the beginning of the XNUMXth century. It is based on an ancient belief of a therapeutic effect of solar and ultraviolet radiation and advocates full body exposure to sunlight to cure illnesses.

At the time it was considered a revolutionary therapy to treat people with many diseases such as pulmonary tuberculosis, smallpox, lupus, as well as chronic diseases such as arthritis.

Do not confuse heliotherapy, which uses natural sunlight, with phototherapy, which uses artificial light as treatment.

Sun exposure is a good option for some ailments. These include, for example, newborn jaundice and psoriasis.

Jaundice of the newborn

Jaundice is caused by a buildup of bilirubin, a pigment that causes yellowing of the skin and eyes. It is a common condition in newborns and most often does not require treatment. In the most severe cases, it may require management. Phototherapy with artificial blue lights is often used because it accelerates the breakdown of bilirubin and its elimination. Recently, it has been shown that heliotherapy can also be used thanks to a new device for filtering sunlight. This process preserves the effect of solar radiation on bilirubin while reducing the harmful effects of long exposure to the sun.

Psoriasis

In association with conventional treatments and with medical supervision, heliotherapy has been shown to be effective in the treatment of psoriasis by reducing the severity of inflammation of the skin and having a long-term beneficial effect, even several after sessions.

Heliotherapy and rickets

The great popularity of heliotherapy at the beginning of the XNUMXth century is linked to the discovery of the essential role of ultra-violet B (UVB) rays for the production of vitamin D by our body. This is what led to its use for the prevention and treatment of rickets, a disease caused by insufficient vitamin D.

Nowadays, scientific studies have shown that in most cases, treatment with vitamin D and Calcium supplements is sufficient to treat rickets and the disease is rare in Western countries.

Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun damage skin cells and increase the risk of developing skin cancer. These rays penetrate fairer skin more easily (with a low level of melanin) and they are therefore more likely to develop skin cancer – although there is of course a risk in people with dark skin. In addition, prolonged exposure to the sun accelerates the aging of the skin and the appearance of wrinkles.

Tanning booths and artificial UV rays carry the same risks as direct exposure to natural sunlight and can even be more dangerous if the intensity is not properly controlled.