How many minutes should you use light therapy?

Lie still during the entire treatment as the device works. The treatment usually lasts about 20 minutes.

How long should you do light therapy?

Typical recommendations include using the light box: Within the first hour of waking up in the morning. 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.

How long is too long for light therapy?

Depending on the individual, treatment might last 20 minutes up to three hours, and a person might have light therapy once or more per day for consecutive days until symptoms improve. Your doctor can provide guidance on how long you should use 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.

What is the best time of day to use light therapy?

What time of day to use light therapy? To be effective, you want to use your lamp early in the morning, when the sun is rising. We recommend doing so when the sun would be rising during summer periods. It's best to turn your lamp on within an hour of waking for 20-30 minutes.

Mayo Clinic Minute: Lift your mood with light therapy

How long should I use my light therapy at home?

Some people with SAD find that light therapy can help improve their mood considerably. This involves sitting by a special lamp called a light box, usually for around 30 minutes to an hour each morning.

Is it OK to do light therapy at night?

Specialists often recommend using dim lights in the evening in conjunction with bright light exposure in the morning during the advancement of the sleep schedule. For maintenance, some patients continue the treatment indefinitely, while some reduce their daily treatment to 15 minutes.

What are the symptoms of too much light therapy?

Even though this type of treatment is generally very safe, negative effects may occur. As a consequence of light therapy, patients can complain of irritability, headaches, eye strain, sleep disturbances, and insomnia. Mild visual side effects are not unusual but remit promptly.

How much light therapy is too much?

The maximum amount of time you should expose your body to this concentrated red light is 15-20 minutes a day. MORE IS NOT BETTER!

Should you do light therapy in the morning or night?

Light therapy tends to be most effective when practiced daily in the morning, as many people experiencing circadian- or depression-related sleep issues are what researchers called “phase-delayed”.

What does light therapy do to the brain?

Research on red light therapy and brain health shows that natural light improves reaction time, attention, memory, and executive function. Some of the benefits that show the most potential are as follows: Improved cognitive function. Improved recovery from stroke.

Can you do LED therapy everyday?

The answer is yes. 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.

How many times should you do LED light therapy?

A course of 6-8 treatments are recommended for LED light therapy to improve your cellular function and be effective long term. A one off treatment will give you an instant glow and supercharge your skin treatment however results are accumulative and need to be performed once or ideally twice a week for optimal results.

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.

What are the risks of light therapy?

Can light therapy damage your skin?

Is red light therapy safe? Red light therapy appears to be safe and is not associated with any side effects, at least if used short-term and as directed. This therapy is not toxic, not invasive and not as harsh as some topical skin treatments.

Does light therapy affect eyes?

Several studies show that red light therapy increases ATP production in eyes. Reduced inflammation and increased ATP energy production is an impactful combination for eye health and vision, warding off the gradual fading of cells and function that leads to vision loss as you get older.

How often can you do at home light therapy?

“The benefits of LED lights are cumulative,” says Darden. “So if you're going to spend all that money on the product, you need to be diligent. Everyone has their own routine, but I recommend five times per week. Sure, you'll see some results when using it less often—but they won't be nearly as effective.”

Can I use light therapy during the day?

If the symptoms are not improving after 10-14 days, try spending up to 60 minutes per day in front of lights each morning, or divided between the morning and evening. Do not use the light box too near bedtime, as the light exposure can disturb sleep. If this still does not help, contact your doctor.

How many hours of light therapy per day?

The dose of light that has proved to be the most beneficial is 5000 lux hours per day, which could take the form of, for example, 10 000 lux for one half-hour each morning. Most studies indicate that early morning treatment (before 8 am) is optimal.

Is it okay to do light therapy in the afternoon?

Light therapy is generally most effective when done early in the morning after waking up. It can also be helpful to use your light again in the late afternoon, especially if you get sleepy between 6-8 PM.

How do I get the best results of LED light therapy?

Contrary to other skincare treatments, light therapy responds well to daily, multiple uses, and using it more than once a day will provide faster results. For each treatment area, you should use your device for the length of time that the instructions recommend, which varies based on device.

What time of day is best for red light therapy?

The most optimal time for a light therapy session is morning or evening around the time of sunrise or sunset. This mimics the time of day when we receive the most red and near-infrared light from the natural sun.

Can you overuse LED?

Light therapy cannot be overdone for most people. If you notice any extraordinary results, stop treatment, and contact your physician. For the best results, choose the right device style and LED color, and use it as directed.