The most important features you should be looking at when buying a light therapy lamp are the light intensity and the type of light that’s emitted. Research supports using a SAD lamp with up to 10,000 lux as a therapy for depression.
Another key is that you don’t want a sun lamp that emits UV rays, as they can cause damage to your eyes and skin. While you’re not supposed to stare directly into a light therapy lamp, you still don’t want to expose yourself to daily UV radiation while trying to treat your seasonal depression.
Size is important, to a point. A bigger light panel allows you to position the light farther away while you’re using it, so keep that in mind when shopping. A smaller lamp needs to be closer to your face and set at your eye level. You might need to spend up to an hour each day using a small SAD light, but just half that with a larger lamp.
As the Mayo Clinic notes, “The effectiveness of a light box depends on daily use, so buy one that’s convenient for you.”
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