Should you do light therapy in the morning or night?

We recommend that bright-light exposure be scheduled immediately on awakening in the treatment of most patients with seasonal affective disorder.

What time of day is light therapy best?

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.

Should you do light therapy in the morning or evening?

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.

When should you use light therapy?

Does light therapy have to be in the morning?

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 Light Impacts Your Sleep and Mood: Easy Daily Tactics from Dr. Andrew Huberman

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.

How many times a day can you use 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.

How do I prepare for light therapy?

Preparing for Treatment

Some safety steps include: Sunscreen to protect your neck, lips and the backs of your hands. Special glasses or goggles to protect your eyes from UV light. Cover for genitals in men.

Should you put anything on before red light therapy?

Guide to Preparing Your Skin for Red Light Therapy

Treat your skin nicely—avoid irritating your skin with aggressive exfoliant products or sun exposure. Clean your skin with a gentle, non-drying cleanser before treatment to remove any mineral-based sunscreen or makeup containing zinc.

Do you moisturise before light therapy?

There are no scientific studies showing that applying lotion before or after red light therapy is beneficial or recommended. If the question is lotion or no lotion, the short answer is no—it's simply not necessary.

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.

How often should you do light therapy?

Many patients wonder how often they should use a red light therapy bed. The answer is – it depends. 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.

What should I put on my face before LED light therapy?

What Should I Put on My Face Before Red Light Therapy? For best results, it's always recommended to use LED products on a clean face with no serums or moisturizers. This allows the light therapy to effectively penetrate the skin without any barriers.

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.

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 do light therapy with eyes closed?

Light applied through closed eyelids during sleep might not only be efficacious for changing circadian phase but also lead to better compliance because patients would receive light treatment while sleeping.

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.

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 sessions of light therapy does it take to see results?

You'll likely need ongoing treatments. This is not a one-time treatment for most skin conditions. You'll need to be seen one to three times a week for weeks or even months.

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.

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.

How many times a week should I do light therapy?

Everyone reacts differently, depending on their age and the condition of their skin. In general, best results are achieved over an 8 – 12 week period. It is recommended to start with a commitment of 15 minutes, which is the maximum time in our Red Light Therapy bed, at least 3-5 times per week for the first 1-4 weeks.

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.