Lighting

Pictured at Left: The Clear Wave by Verilux



Full spectrum products, such as the Verilux Clear Wave, using light waves in the red and blue range of the spectrum, is trusted by those who are looking for a natural alternative to costly topical treatments and risky antibiotics. The effectiveness of using red and blue light to clear up skin is proven in dermatological studies, and recommended by medical professionals. It can help treat cystic acne and prevent future scarring.

Blue light therapy works by causing the self-destruction of acne bacteria. Red light therapy works by accelerating the skin’s healing process. The light therapy is not intended to remove any scaring you may already have, but with consistent treatment you may clear the acne under your skin and prevent future scaring. Dermatological studies suggest that light at these wavelengths has the power to safely and effectively wipe out blemish and acne- causing bacteria deep in the skin while reducing inflammation in your skin’s pores, allowing them to function properly.



Pictured at Right: The Clamp Lamp by Verilux



Bright light therapy is used for people who suffer from circadian rhythm disorders. The time of day when the light is used will depend upon the disorder it is meant to correct. One disorder is delayed sleep phase disorder which causes people to fall asleep much later at night than is normal. As a result, they also wake up later in the morning. This sleep pattern can interfere with their schedule of activities for the day. To correct delayed sleep phase, light treatment takes place during the early morning hours. Advanced sleep phase disorder causes people to fall asleep much earlier at night than is normal. They also wake up earlier in the morning. To correct it, light treatment takes place early at night. Other people suffer from free-running or non- 24-hour sleep-wake rhythm. People with this disorder fall asleep at a different time each day. For example, you may fall asleep at 10 p.m. one day, Midnight the next day, 2 a.m. the next, etc. This most often occurs in people who are blind. Light therapy may help blind people, even if they can't perceive visible light. Studies show that light treatment may be useful in the early morning hours.

Jet lag causes people to have problems with sleep when they have crossed many time zones on a flight. Light therapy in the morning may help when traveling east. For travel to the west, bright light in the evening may help reduce jet lag.

The shift work sleep disorder occurs due to a work schedule, such as night shift, that takes place during the time when most people are sleeping. This schedule requires you to work when your body wants to sleep. Then you have to try to sleep when your body expects to be awake. Correcting it can be a hard problem to solve. Changing work schedules, days off, and social activities can alter your exposure to light from day to day. Frequent changes in your sleep times make it hard to re-set your internal clock. In general, using light treatment in the evening should help someone who regularly works nights. In this case, you would also want to avoid daylight when you come off work and go to bed. Dark sunglasses or special goggles can help.