Sun lamps are most typically used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or to aid in the production of vitamin D in the body. Due to the wide range of options, choosing the right sun lamp can be difficult.
Purpose of Sun Lamps
SAD is a seasonal depression that occurs in the late autumn and winter. The numbers of individuals who have it report that it fades away or becomes less severe in the spring and summer.
A sun lamp can also help people with vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is necessary for the healthy functioning of the neurological system, muscles, and immune system. It also aids the body’s absorption of calcium, which is necessary for bone health.
The majority of people will obtain all of their vitamin D through their diet and the sun. Vitamin D deficiency can occur in people who do not get enough sunlight or who have a health condition that prevents their bodies from absorbing the vitamins in their meals. This can cause rickets in children. Muscle weakness and bone pain can occur in adults.
Sun lamps are sometimes used to help with sleep difficulties or depression.
How Sun Lamps Work
People require sunshine for a variety of reasons. It has an impact on the body’s normal daily cycles, known as circadian rhythms. These factors influence how people feel, how they sleep, and how they wake up.
Sunlight aids the brain’s production of hormones required for physical function. Serotonin, which affects mood, and melatonin, which aids sleep patterns, are two examples. Sunlight is also used by the skin to produce vitamin D.
Sun lamps and light boxes mimic the natural light of the sun. Doctors may advise persons with SAD to sit in front of a light box that emits 10,000 lux for 30 minutes every day as soon as they wake up.
Although there is some evidence to suggest the benefits of light treatment, scientists are still unsure if it is effective. It is also not appropriate for everyone. It should be avoided by people who have light sensitivity, bipolar disorder, diabetes, or eye disorders.
People who want to try light therapy should only use sun lamps that emit fluorescent light with no ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths, according to experts. UV rays can harm the skin and cause skin cancer.
UVB light, on the other hand, is critical for those who use a sun lamp to help their skin produce vitamin D. Anyone thinking about utilizing a sun lamp should first consult their doctor.
Final Thoughts
Some people with SAD, vitamin D deficiency, or sleep problems may benefit from using sun lamps, which mimic the sun.
When utilizing sun lamps, people should exercise caution. They should, in most situations, seek out products that do not include UV rays, as this can harm the skin and lead to skin cancer.
When someone has a vitamin D deficit, UVB light is required to produce the vitamin. In most circumstances, however, getting vitamin D from diet and natural sunlight is preferable to using a sun lamp.
For some people, light treatment will not be effective. It should not be used by anyone who have light sensitivity, bipolar disorder, diabetes, or eye difficulties.
Anyone considering utilizing a sun lamp, particularly those who fear they have a vitamin D deficit, should consult a physician first.