Can you use a REgular lamp for light therapy?

REgular Lamps. A common misconception about bright light therapy is that regular lamps can be used to get the benefits. While yes, it does help your sleep-wake cycle to have adequate lighting in your home, you won't get all the benefits of a therapy lamp from a standard light.

Can you use any lamp for light therapy?

People with light sensitivity, bipolar disorder, diabetes, or eye health conditions should avoid this treatment. Experts advise individuals who wish to try light therapy to use only SAD lamps that emit fluorescent light with no UV wavelengths, as UV light can damage the skin and lead to skin cancer.

What kind of light bulbs are used for light therapy?

Your light therapy lamp should emit 10,000 lux of white fluorescent light without ultraviolet wavelengths. Keep it consistent. Improvement is typically noticed in one to two weeks with regular use.

Can you put a red light therapy bulb in a regular lamp?

If you have read that red light therapy can be delivered using any type of bulb, including incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, or light-emitting diode (LED), you've unfortunately been misinformed. The fact is, all light technologies are not the same, and some are not suitable for light therapy at all.

What's the difference between a SAD lamp and a normal lamp?

SAD lamps provide a close match to natural sunlight ― specifically, high-intensity white light, which is measured in lux (short for luminous flux per unit area). “Most homes with standard light bulbs will give you a light intensity of approximately 300 to 1,000 lux,” Hoffmann explained.

What is Light Therapy? Does it Help?

Can any lamp be a SAD lamp?

The most important thing to look for in a SAD lamp is the correct amount of light intensity. Every expert agrees on this point: To trigger the brain to release serotonin, a true SAD lamp must have a brightness level of at least 10,000 lux of white light.

Who should not use light therapy?

The major contraindications for the use of light therapy are diseases that involve the retina of the eye, such as diabetes, and the use of photosensitizing medications like lithium, melatonin, phenothiazine antipsychotics, and certain antibiotics.

Do you need special lights for light therapy?

A light therapy box mimics outdoor light. It's thought that this type of light may cause a chemical change in the brain that lifts your mood and eases other symptoms of SAD , such as being tired most of the time and sleeping too much. Generally, the light box should: Provide an exposure to 10,000 lux of light.

Can you use LED lights for light therapy?

Research suggests that LED light therapy can help reduce and improve some skin conditions and issues. To see improvement in your skin, though, you need to have regular treatments. In-office LED light therapy uses more powerful strengths than at-home devices, which makes it more effective.

Is a heat lamp the same as red light therapy?

Are red light therapy devices different from infrared (IR) heat lamps? Yes, a lot different, and one of the big reasons is right in the name: heat. Even if heat lamps could deliver clinical results similar to light therapy, the burn risks aren't worth it.

What type of light bulb is closest to natural light?

Halogen Lights

Halogen bulbs are a type of incandescent that gives a close approximation of natural daylight, known as "white light." Colors appear sharper under halogen light and the bulbs can be dimmed.

What is the best light bulb for mental health?

After putting in 33 hours of research—including reading two books and five comprehensive studies on the subject and interviewing one of the scientists who discovered seasonal affective disorder (SAD)—we've concluded that the Carex Day-Light Classic Plus is the best light therapy lamp to treat SAD symptoms.

Are light therapy lamps a gimmick?

“Light therapy is not a cure, but it has been shown to help reduce symptoms that come with depression such as lack of energy, trouble sleeping, anxiety, as well as feelings of sadness, hopelessness and irritability,” says Eric C. Alcera, M.D., a behavioral health specialist at Hackensack Meridian Health.

What makes a light therapy lamp different?

They differ from standard lamps as they emit 5-20 times more LUX (light intensity). They're used each morning for 20-30 minutes to trick the body into producing serotonin and melatonin. They can help improve energy levels, enhance sleep quality, and relieve poor mental health.

Do you need UV light for light therapy?

Experts advise individuals who wish to try light therapy to use only SAD lamps that emit fluorescent light with no UV wavelengths, as UV light can damage the skin and lead to skin cancer. However, for people using a SAD lamp to help their skin make vitamin D, UVB light is essential.

Can you do LED light therapy at home?

Infrared Light Therapy at home is just as effective as going to a salon or spa which has a Red Light Therapy Panel. The beauty of LED Light Therapy is that it is a non-invasive skin procedure. This means the treatment is painless and super easy to do at home.

How to do light therapy at home?

When should you not use LED lights?

Avoid LED lights above 3000K and/or labeled "bright white," "neutral white," "cool white," or "daylight white" as these lights will generally have a crisp, stark white color. LEDs with this light color contain a significant amount of blue light in their spectrum. Choose a bulb with a high CRI.

What should you not use with LED light therapy?

Individuals should not use LED therapy if they take certain medications, such as isotretinoin (Accutane), for acne or use topical treatments that cause sensitivity to sunlight. People with skin conditions should speak to a dermatologist before using LED light therapy.

Can you overuse light therapy?

It is possible to get too much light, which can produce discomfort including feeling “wired,” such as after consuming too much caffeine. Working with an experienced clinician, and starting with general guidelines, many SAD patients arrive at a “dose” that works well for them.

Do you have to look directly at a SAD lamp?

Although you don't need to stare at it, the light must reach your eyes to have any effect. This means you can use the lamp whilst working at the computer, watching TV, reading, etc. Dark glasses, tinted lenses or closing your eyes will all limit the effects of light therapy.

Do your eyes have to be open for light therapy?

Light treatment usually consists of exposure to a light source from a 10,000-lux box for 10 to 15 minutes per day at first, gradually increasing to 45 minutes 1–2 times per day. Your eyes should remain open throughout the treatment session.

Does light therapy work through the eyes or the skin?

The authors found that the antidepressant effects of phototherapy were much greater for 10 patients when light was applied to the eyes than when it was applied to the skin, suggesting that its effects may be mediated by the eyes.

How often should you do light therapy?

As long as you are following the manufacturers instructions, you can use red light therapy everyday. If you have chronic pain, it's recommended to start a daily routine with using red light therapy.