Blue Light or White Light?
Blue Light v White Light – which to choose?
This section explains the difference between blue light technology (namely BLUEWAVE™) found in Apollo Health Light Therapy products, and the conventional white light found in other Light Boxes.
As a short summary, Apollo Health's BLUEWAVE™ technology provides a safe, effective and quick treatment time and is backed up by more medical research than any other product available today. BLUEWAVE has been developed in conjuction with leading US Research Universities and teh National Institute for Helath and has been endorsed and recommmend by medical experts around the world. For more detailed information please read teh information below.
Why Blue Light?
Although the light emitted by the sun appears to be white it is actually made up of the full spectrum of colours. This becomes apparent when sunlight shines through rain and it is split into the full spectrum of colours creating a rainbow.
The theory behind conventional Full Spectrum (White Light) light boxes is that they effectively replicate sunshine. As a result they give the user a positive response when they are lacking sunshine (the root cause of SAD and the ‘Winter Blues’).
What scientists have recently discovered is that specific wavelengths of blue light, that are always within sunlight, promote a positive response in light deficient patients. As a result you only need a light box that produces the specific wavelengths of light to give a therapeutic light therapy.
Blue Light Research
By isolating different wavelengths of light researchers at leading US Medical Universities and the National Institute for Health (NIH) have found that a blue wavelength alone is all that is needed to produce a positive response from sufferers of SAD and other circadian rhythm related disorders. As a result of this research, Apollo Health have developed the goLITE range giving the following advantages over white light/full spectrum products:
- Lower intensity of light required for treatments as you are only being subjected to a small bandwidth of light rather the full spectrum of colours
- Quicker treatments times, despite being smaller products
- No reported side-effects
- LED technology allows for adjustable light output (most white light products are not dimmable)
- Considerably Smaller products – conventional product sizes are dictated by the bulb sizes
- Lighter products – weight of products are also dictated by the size of bulb and subsequent size of case
The blue wavelengths of light found in Apollo Health’s BLUEWAVE™ technology are always found in smaller quantities in the white light products (which usually emit the full spectrum of colours).
How light therapy works
For decades, doctors have recommended light therapy for treating mood and sleep problems. This is because a centre in your brain’s hypothalamus (often referred to as the body clock) uses the light found in natural sunlight to regulate your body’s cycles. If you struggle with sleep, mood, or energy, your body clock may not be responding properly to normal light signals.
Light therapy works by simulating the light found in natural daylight to reset the circadian rhythm. By providing summertime levels of light during the winter, light therapy users can successfully alleviate the symp toms of SAD, with the result being that former sufferers can lead a normal, happier life and beat the ‘Winter Blues’. In fact almost everyone can benefit from increased energy levels when using a lightbox.
Different Light Therapy Technologies
Historically only large ‘full spectrum’ light boxes were used to treat light deficiency disorders. However, advancements in research and technology have shown that a particular bandwidth of blue light is effective in treating such disorders.
These advancements mean that Apollo Health’s products can now use LED’s to produce the specific Bluewave™ light that is most effective. As a result Apollo Health’s range not only offer quicker treatment times but also significantly smaller, lighter products.
Blue v White Light - The science behind the facts
Melanopsin photoreceptors must be stimulated by some blue light In order for our brains to respond to light therapy. It turns out that very bright white light works because it contains some of the necessary blue light. However, scientists have discovered that blue alone is more effective than white light. When compared to both white 10,000 lux and white LED’s, blue light was twice as effective*. Additionally, by using only 8 lux of blue light, researchers were able to demonstrate the same response compared to 12,000 lux of white light. Eliminating these unnecessary wavelengths increases effectiveness and also significantly reduces overall intensity.
Why isn’t white as effective?
Most 10,000 lux products contain much more blue light, so why aren’t they as effective as low-level blue light? Part of the answer may be that high-intensity white light may over-stimulate the eye’s photoreceptors, making it more difficult for melanopsin to respond. Some researchers believe that other wavelengths create ‘spectral opponency’ and cancel out the effectiveness of the blue spectrum. It seems obvious though, that eliminating unnecessary wavelengths allows Apollo to lower the overall amount of blue light, while still being more effective than white.
About BLUEWAVE™ and BRITEWAVE™ Technology
Small size, big effect
Because BLUEWAVE™ is so much more effective, Apollo Health are able to make a portable device that would otherwise be ineffective with white light. For the first time, people can use their goLITE anywhere they need to instead of being dependant on a larger light box.
Clinically proven
BLUEWAVE™ Technology has been proven in clinical trials at Thomas Jefferson Medical University, and the goLITE with BLUEWAVE™ has been clinically demonstrated at Brigham & Women, McLean and the University of Utah Medical Centre.
BriteWave™
BRITEWAVE™ is ideal for those who prefer bright white light, but also want the benefits of BLUEWAVE™. Physicians know that 10,000 lux can help you feel great, sleep great and be more energetic. The combination of 10,000 lux and BLUEWAVE™ is more effective than conventional full-spectrum or white light therapy. Because BRITEWAVE™ products produce larger treatment fields, they are often considered for children, group use or those with more severe symp toms. You can enjoy the BRITEWAVE™ technology in our BriteLITE products.
About Apollo Health Inc.
Founded in 1987 Apollo Health Inc. is the leading researcher and manufacturer of products for treating circadian rhythm disorders that result in insomnia, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Depression and other mood & sleep disorders. Apollo Health supports and funds more research on the health benefits of light than any other manufacturer of light therapy products.
Consistently leading the way in light therapy research Apollo Health have helped to promoted the positive and therapeutic effects of light for the treatment of mood disorders, insomnia, skin conditions, and blood ailments. Due to Apollo Health's history, credibility, and dedication to the improvement of people's lives, they have been the recipient of numerous government research grants in the quest to bring about the best possible natural solutions for SAD and other mood and sleep related disorders.
Apollo Health has worked with most major research centres as well as hundreds of physicians and researchers to increase the effectiveness, understanding and awareness of light therapy. Apollo Health has provided light therapy products to the National Institute of Health, NASA, Yale, the Mayo Clinic, and dozens of research institutions all around the world.
Developed in association with leading medical universities and the US National Institute of Health all products are medically proven and feature patented Apollo Health technologies including BLUEWAVE®, BRITEWAVE® and SLEEPSENSE® which are all 100% exclusive to Apollo Health Inc.
Click here to find out more information about Apollo Health
* Wright H R et al. Differential effects of light wavelength in phase advancing the melatonin rhythm. J. Pineal Res. 2004; 36: 140-144 Lockley S. et al. High Sensitivity Of The Human Circadian Melatonin Rhythm To Resetting By Short Wavelength Light. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2003; 88(9):4502–4505
