How do I choose a therapy light?

As you shop for light therapy lamps, consider size, style, light intensity, and brightness settings. A good light therapy lamp should suit your space, offer 10,000 lux of light exposure,5 and make it easy to adjust brightness when needed.

Which type of light therapy is best?

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.

How many lumens do I need for SAD light?

SAD lamps require a very intense light source with a high color temperature to help mitigate the effects of seasonal depression. These lamps are rated for 5,000 to 10,000 lux (or 10,000 Lumens per square foot), with the majority of lamps favoring 10,000 for good measure.

Can you use any light for light therapy?

The light box should have an ultraviolet filter. Do not use sunlamps, tanning lamps, or halogen lamps as these may be harmful to your eyes! During light therapy, you should keep to a regular sleep schedule (going to sleep and waking up at regular times, for example, 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Where is the best place to put a light therapy lamp?

Place your light therapy lamp near you but not directly in front of you. The light should be in your field of vision but you should not look directly at it. For best results, position your light therapy lamp from 6 to 24 inches from your face at a 30 to 45 degree angle from your eyeline.

What is Light Therapy? Does it Help?

When should you 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.

What are the side effects of light therapy?

A few adverse LT effects—headache, eye strain, irritability, and nausea—have been consistently reported among depressed individuals and other psychiatric cohorts, but there exists little published evidence regarding LT side effects in non-clinical populations, who often undergo LT treatment of considerably briefer ...

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.

What are the two main types of light therapy?

Red & Near-Infrared Light

Red and near-infrared (NIR) light therapy comes in a few forms: red light LED beds and panels, or laser therapy devices for a targeted approach.

What color light is best for SAD?

The best light boxes for SAD treatment produce a cool white light, with a color temperature of less than 5000 kelvin (K). A number of light therapy products are advertised as “full-spectrum”¹ or with a color temperature above 5000 K, which are effective for treating SAD.

Is blue or white light better for SAD?

There is no indication that blue light is better than white light for SAD, and there is no information on long term safety of blue light (unlike white light devices).

Does the size of a SAD light matter?

SAD researchers recommend a large box with full-spectrum (white light) fluorescent tubes because these are the type that they have done the most research on and have been shown to be the most effective and safe. The best large lights will allow you to get 10,000 lux at a comfortable distance (30-55cm).

How long should I sit in front of my SAD light?

For about 20 to 30 minutes. About 16 to 24 inches (41 to 61 centimeters) from your face, but follow the manufacturer's instructions about distance. With eyes open, but not looking directly at the light.

How do I choose LED light therapy?

How often should I use LED light therapy at home?

It's recommended to start using the light therapy three to five times per week for the first few weeks, then two to three times for weeks four through 12, and then one to two times a week to maintain results, or however you see fit—it depends on the intensity of your acne or scarring.

Which light therapy is best for wrinkles?

Red Light Therapy technology delivers low-wavelength light to energize our skin cells.” In short, the red light produced by the device is absorbed by our mitochondria and keeps our cells stimulated and working hard, improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and your skin's texture.

Is green light better than red light therapy?

Conclusions: Green light provides a treatment effect superior to that of red light and similar to that seen in previous studies with white light. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that retinal photoreceptors mediate the antidepressant response in seasonal affective disorder.

Which color LED reduces swelling and inflammation?

Treating Inflammation with LED Light Therapy

These red and near infrared wavelengths of light stimulate those cells and reduce oxidative stress, so your body is able to make more usable energy to power itself.

Is LED light therapy worth it?

LED light therapy appears to be a safe treatment for several skin conditions, including acne, skin aging, skin wounds, and other problems. Research indicates that this therapy offers promising results, although people should not expect a 100% improvement.

What time of day is best for light therapy?

Most studies indicate that early morning treatment (before 8 am) is optimal. It is now well established that the therapeutic effect of light is mediated through the eye, although patients should not stare at the units directly.

What is the success rate of light therapy?

Light therapy has been around since the 1980s and several studies have shown that it's effective in treating SAD. “As a treatment for a psychiatric problem, light therapy has a remarkably high success rate of 60–80%,” says Brainard.

How many times a week should I do light therapy?

Some people require frequent sessions, while others can get by with a treatment now and then. Most get good results with a 15-minute session, 3-5 times each week for several months.

Who should not use infrared therapy?

Thermal or heat injuries can happen, depending on the wavelength of the infrared light. Thermal injury can occur even without pain. Also, pregnant women, people with heart diseases, and those who are sick should never undergo infrared therapy.

How long does it take to see light therapy results?

Every individual may respond differently to specific treatments and results will also depend on the goal you want to achieve. However, with daily use, you should be able to see improvements in 4 to 6 weeks.