Safety

Safety and Lights

The two most important issues are whether the product has been proven to be both safe and effective. Remember that this is a product you will likely use on a daily basis, for a significant part of the year (or perhaps year-round), for many years to come, so you'll want a product that is as comfortable for you to use as possible.

The warranty and the return policy offered on the product will give you a clue as to its durability, and how well the manufacturer stands behind it. You may find it helpful to contact your health insurance company before proceeding - sometimes insurance policies cover light box purchases, if you follow the proper procedures. It's worth a call to find out - some of our customers have gotten full coverage.

The last topic in this Buyer's Guide is our "Fact Vs. Fiction" section, where we debunk many of the myths surrounding the use of bright light products, and the inaccuracies promoted by unscrupulous companies. While many light box companies have their customers' best interests at heart, there are many others that only care about the bottom line: separating you from your money. Be careful and do you homework to make sure that any company you choose to do business with is a reputable one.

Several safety components should be incorporated into any light therapy device you use. These are (1) the absence of UV wavelengths, (2) a proper diffusing screen, and (3) UL listing. Ultraviolet (UV) Wavelengths UV wavelengths are not necessary components for the effectiveness of light therapy products.

In small amounts (that is, less than 15 minutes of exposure to sunlight per day), UV can be beneficial - it helps your skin produce vitamin D, which helps with calcium absorption. However, in larger amounts, we know UV is harmful. These wavelengths have been implicated for many years in such conditions as the formation of cataracts, skin cancer, and premature aging of the skin. Most people get enough environmental UV exposure per day just going to and from work, without having to expose themselves to any more of it.

For this reason, and because of the known harmful effects of UV, researchers in the field of bright light treatment are unanimous in their recommendation of UV-free light therapy equipment. The SunBox Company's light boxes have all been tested for UV emissions by an independent laboratory, which has concluded that they are UV-free. We have the reports available upon request.

Diffusing Screen The acrylic diffuser that is standard in most - but not all - commercially available light boxes spreads the light evenly across the surface of the unit. This makes the light more comfortable for your eyes and protects them from light brighter than 10,000 lux, the highest amount of light that's ever been tested in clinical studies, for safety and efficacy. Using a unit that does not have a diffuser on it could expose your eyes to "pinpoints" of light that could pose a hazard.

In addition to spreading the light evenly over the light box surface, the diffuser also absorbs the UV wavelengths that are emitted by the bulbs (all bulbs emit UV light to some degree). Without a diffuser, you are not protected from the potentially harmful effects of UV emissions. The only case of eye damage with bright light therapy of which we are aware occurred in a man who had built his own light box. Unfortunately, he attempted to save money by omitting the diffusing screen, and suffered retinal damage from using his homemade light box.

UL Listing Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is an independent group that tests and certifies products for consumer safety in the United States. For an electronic product to be listed by UL, it must undergo stringent testing that ensures that it is electrically safe for home use, and it must be built according to exacting standards.

Some manufacturers state that their products have "UL Listed Components." This is a very misleading statement, since electrical components available to U.S. manufacturers must be UL Listed in order to be available for sale. That is, all electrical components used in U.S. manufacturing are UL Listed. The absence of a UL listing on a light therapy device indicates one of two things: either the manufacturer is unwilling to spend the money each year to have their products evaluated, or their product does not pass UL's strict guidelines. In either case, you cannot be assured of the electrical safety of such products.

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Safety and Lights

Atlas Lighting Supply

Safety