Choosing Between SAD Lamps and Red-Light Therapy: Which Fits You?

We don’t get to choose our illnesses, but we do have the power to prevent a good sum of them. A healthy lifestyle can help dodge ailments like type II diabetes and hypertension. But, what about those diseases that we know so little about? Conditions such as seasonal affective disorder, which affects a random number of people globally every year, can be difficult to tackle. This is because treatment options are limited. As studies have shown, only light therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or anti-depressants are effective.

Let’s be honest: not all of us are keen on taking pills. Whether due to fear of side effects or even being labelled due to the stigma associated with such drugs, which is unfair. Thankfully, light therapy has proven to be just as efficacious, if not more, than medications. If you think about it, people will prefer modalities that are as close to natural as possible. And what can be more natural than ‘light’? But with multiple options, choosing the right type of light therapy can be difficult. But really, you only need to decide between two: SAD lamps and Red-light therapy.

Red-light therapy vs SAD lamps

Why these two only? As with any novel treatment, evidence will always trump popular opinion. Evidence from research has shown how these two bring about significant results when treating seasonal affective disorder. But if we were to compare, then there are slight differences in the results.

Here’s the thing: red-light uses a shorter wavelength and has more diverse applications, from treating not just mood disorders but other diseases, too. SAD lamps mimic white light, which is the same as what we are exposed to under the sun, and while more research has been done on them over the years, they are only efficacious for mood disorders like seasonal affective disorder.  

Understanding Red Light Therapy

So, you must ask yourself, would you prefer light therapy, which is an all-rounder with multiple benefits, or light therapy, which is only great at treating one thing? Red light treatment has a well-known history of being used in healthcare to treat a variety of ailments, such as muscle aches, vision problems, and even wound healing.

It has even shown a profound effect on the health of the skin and thus works as an anti-ageing therapy. This is why it has come under the spotlight in the cosmetic industry due to its wondrous effects on the skin, going as far as not only making you look young but also treating burns, psoriasis, wrinkles, scars, and acne.  

How can Bestqool help?

But even if you are convinced that red light is superior, how would you go about finding a genuine product to invest in? You need a Brand that has done its homework. It’s not enough to just stuff red-light emitters in a fancy box and call it effective. This is why we at Bestqool have meticulously studied effective intensities and duration of red light and have designed our products to maximize output while minimizing side effects.

Every device we design utilizes the latest in dual-chip technology, such as the Pro300, which gives you more bang for your buck in long-term gains as compared to an ordinary run-of-the-mill SAD lamp. Moreover, our devices are designed to take up minimal space while not clashing aesthetically with the rest of your living quarters.

What you must know

Since we are sincerely concerned about our customer’s health, we feel it is our responsibility to inform you that Bestqool’s Red Light Therapy, while beneficial, is only effective when combined with a healthy lifestyle. This means you must be proactive in maintaining a proper diet, engaging in physical activity, and controlling any chronic illness you may have. Only then can you experience the full potential of our products.

The devices are not miracle cures but adjuvant therapies that are backed by science.  This is why you must always make sure to use our devices as per a regular schedule without going above or below the optimal exposure time. While our products are configured to give standard rates of exposure, your requirement may vary but should lie within 2500-10,000 lux for 30-60 minutes only.

If you experience a recurrence of symptoms after use, you might require long-term therapy. According to experts, a good regimen is a daily intake of vitamin D before exercising while exposing your whole body (while wearing undergarments) to the red light.

Making an informed choice

All in all, whether you confide in research, medical experts, or even our satisfied customers, there is definitely a benefit for you in light therapy. It’s up to you to decide how much of your health is in need of this and which type to invest in. If you are still unsure, consult your healthcare provider so you can make an informed decision. At the end of the day, when you want maximum gains, you can depend on Bestqool Red Light Therapy products to fulfil your needs.

REFERENCES

Cools O, Hebbrecht K, Coppens V, Roosens L, De Witte A, Morrens M, Neels H, Sabbe B. Pharmacotherapy and nutritional supplements for seasonal affective disorders: a systematic review. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy. 2018 Jul 24;19(11):1221-33.

Galima SV, Vogel SR, Kowalski AW. Seasonal affective disorder: common questions and answers. American family physician. 2020 Dec 1;102(11):668-72.

Mårtensson B, Pettersson A, Berglund L, Ekselius L. Bright white light therapy in depression: a critical review of the evidence. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2015 Aug 15;182:1-7.

Menculini G, Verdolini N, Murru A, Pacchiarotti I, Volpe U, Cervino A, Steardo L, Moretti P, Vieta E, Tortorella A. Depressive mood and circadian rhythms disturbances as outcomes of seasonal affective disorder treatment: a systematic review. Journal of affective disorders. 2018 Dec 1;241:608-26.

Nussbaumer?Streit B, Forneris CA, Morgan LC, Van Noord MG, Gaynes BN, Greenblatt A, Wipplinger J, Lux LJ, Winkler D, Gartlehner G. Light therapy for preventing seasonal affective disorder. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2019(3).