What Is Chromotherapy? And How Can It Help You?

The rainbow has long since been a promise of hope and love for inhabitants of planet earth: These auspicious moments afford us the unique opportunity to observe the color spectrum of light that encircles us at all times. While the rainbow of color can only be observed with our eyes under particular conditions of moisture occurring simultaneously with the sun’s luminosity, in reality, this spectrum of color bathes and serenades us in its beauty at all times.

Life on our planet, as we know it, depends on light: Light creates life and if it were not for the sun’s energy, life on our planet would cease to be. It makes sense then, as instruments are developed to harness the color light spectrum, that our body would respond in healing ways to this exposure.

So, What Is Chromotherapy?

Chromotherapy uses wavelengths of color light to positively alter the biochemistry of the body to promote deep healing. Chromotherapy used in conjunction with infrared sauna treatments becomes even more effective as the infrared spectrum of light, through its power to penetrate deeply into the soft tissues of the body, encourages the body to absorb the full spectrum of color emitted through chromotherapy instruments.

Explore the powerful impact that color and light have on human physiology and the cascade of health benefits found with regular chromotherapy use, particularly as it is combined with infrared sauna therapy.

Please Note: The efficacy of light therapy requires that certified medical-grade LED lights are used in the instruments. Some companies will boast the health effects of light therapy but offer standard LED lights in their equipment. For the purposes of this article, we will assume that the lights are medical grade and certified.

Chromotherapy: A Brief History

Light therapy is an umbrella term that encompasses phototherapy, ultraviolet-light therapy, infrared therapy, and chromotherapy. Chromotherapy specifically refers to the visible light spectrum of color and the healing benefits that colors have on the body and mind. Chromotherapy instruments release wavelengths and frequencies that emit particular colors of light to induce a healing reaction in the body. Chromotherapy specifically combines the benefits of color therapy with light therapy.

In 1965 NASA discovered that astronauts returning to earth after time in space without exposure to gravity experienced muscle and bone atrophy. To increase cellular production in the muscles and bones of the astronauts, it was discovered that the broad spectrum of color light, in conjunction with exposure to near-infrared light (used to activate the skin’s response to the colored light spectrum), was successful in stimulating cellular regeneration in the bones, muscles, and skin (1).

NASA created the first light therapy instruments, and since the discovery of the powerful effect that intense exposure to color light has on the body, chromotherapy has evolved as a treatment for a vast array of conditions. The impact of medical-grade light exposure to the greater populace was quickly uncovered in the treatment of cancer patients, burn victims, and individuals suffering from bone fractures (2).

In NASA’s technical report by Harry T. Whelan from the Medical Coalition of Wisconsin, describes the benefits of light therapy:

“NASA LEDs stimulate the basic energy processes in the mitochondria (energy compartments) of each cell, particularly when near-infrared light is used to activate the color sensitive chemicals (chromophores, cytochrome systems) inside.”
(3)

The benefits of exposure to medical-grade LED lights is not limited to patients suffering from serious burns, brain degenerative diseases, and cancer, but to anyone wanting to optimize health and wellness.

Chromotherapy And The Skin

Chromotherapy use can help with anti aging, scars, and acne.

In recent years light therapy has become popular in spas around the world as people look for non-invasive ways to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. As it turns out, the same positive impact that light therapy has on cellular regeneration in other parts of the body also applies to the skin.

Medical grade color light therapy coupled with infrared light exposure has the potential to heal serious skin lesions and scarring from chronic conditions such as psoriasis and acne. The same principles applied to injured skin can be used as an anti-aging technique to reduce the appearance of your biological age.

Take a look at the chart below to find out the positive effects of each color on the skin:

Chromotherapy has demonstrated astounding results on skin health and rejuvenation: This is why many allopathic medical professionals are turning to phototherapy to treat the chronic skin condition: Psoriasis (4).

From healing serious burn wounds, psoriasis, and providing mesmerizing effects on skin vitality, chromotherapy coupled with exposure to the infrared spectrum of light is producing groundbreaking results as a skin treatment. In addition to the results that light therapy has on the skin, it has also been found to enhance and stabilize mood for individuals suffering from depression and seasonal affective disorder.

Chromotherapy And Your Mood: The Pineal Gland Dances With Light

In the center of the brain exists a pinecone shaped, pea-sized gland called the pineal gland. Within the pineal gland, serotonin is converted into melatonin. Serotonin regulates mood and melatonin regulates circadian rhythm. The light transducing capability of the pineal gland means that exposure to chromotherapy creates positive effects for the mood centers of the brain(5).

When the body is exposed to the full-color spectrum of light during chromotherapy sessions coupled with the infrared light spectrum magic occurs to mood stability.

Richard Bowen of Colorado State University writes:

“The precursor to melatonin is serotonin, a neurotransmitter that itself is derived from the amino acid tryptophan. Within the pineal gland, serotonin is acetylated and then methylated to yield melatonin. Synthesis and secretion of melatonin is dramatically affected by the use of medical-grade light exposure to the eyes.”
(6)

Our mood depends on the proper function of the pineal gland. As this gland is a potent receptor to light transmission, chromotherapy enhances pineal gland activity to provide deeper sleep and regulated mood.
When the pineal gland is actively operating at high capacity, all portions of the body, particularly the entire endocrine system, are regulated and homeostasis is found. The healthful activity of the pineal gland positively affects symptoms produced from thyroid disorders, adrenal fatigue, and disease affecting the sexual organs.

As balance is restored to the pineal gland through light therapy there is a cascade of symptom relief that moves from the brain down the body affecting the entirety of the endocrine system.

The good news is that many infrared saunas come equipped with chromotherapy. We know that infrared light augments the body’s ability to draw the color spectrum into its network, and as this occurs the endocrine system is positively affected and relief from symptoms of chronic endocrine-related illness may remain in remission.

What To Expect The First Time You Use Chromotherapy?

Many spas and some medical practices around the world are treating clients and patients with chromotherapy. After an initial consultation with a professional, you will determine what color of light is most needed. Depending on diagnosis you will spend longer periods of time under the light of a certain color.

You will lie on your back on a massage table and the light instrument will be above your head (some are full body). The instrument will be turned on and for varying lengths of time depending on diagnosis, different colors will shine on your face. If you decide to use the broad spectrum of color light you can expect that each color will shine for about two minutes before the next color rotates in. Each chromotherapy session lasts about 35 minutes and is often accompanied with a moisturizing mask and facial.

The experience is relaxing and comforting. As you leave your first session the world will appear in higher fidelity and much shinier. The mind will be clear, calm, and open.

If you decide to use chromotherapy in conjunction with infrared sauna therapy then your experience will be somewhat different. You will enter the infrared sauna chamber and on the ceiling will be the light paneling of the chromotherapy instrument. You will have the option to choose which color you would like to work: If you are unsure of what color spectrum you need most you can leave the chromotherapy on auto and the color spectrum will switch over on its own exposing you to each color for about 90 seconds and then keep cycling through.

It has been observed by researchers at NASA that chromotherapy is most effective when used in conjunction with infrared light. It is well worth combining your infrared sauna therapy with chromotherapy to get the best of both worlds!

Chromotherapy And Infrared Sauna Therapy Operate In Tandem To Provide A High-Definition Experience
In the mid-1960s when researchers from NASA began exploring the relationship between human physiology and the light spectrum, the results were astounding. From the cascade of health benefits available through regular infrared sauna therapy, phototherapy, and chromotherapy, humanity was met with a new wave of possible healing modalities.

Chromotherapy capitalizes on the benefits derived from exposure to the color spectrum of light to ignite biochemical changes in the body and brain. Skin is rejuvenated, sleep is improved, and mood is stabilized. When this technology is coupled with the therapeutic benefits derived from infrared sauna therapy, magic begins to occur at the physiological level.

Euphoric bliss takes hold of the body as you sink into deep states of relaxation under the rays of the full infrared spectrum and as the colored lights of chromotherapy shower the body from above. Find an infrared sauna that offers chromotherapy and fully luxuriate yourself as you bathe your body and mind in the totality of the rainbow.

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