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Tan Plus Salon
Services
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The
Brightness Of Spring...
For
The Dark Days Of Winter
Tan Plus
Offers light therapy sessions featuring
the Aurora™
10,000 lux Bright Light System. Commonly referred
to as a "lightbox", the Aurora is specifically
engineered for those who have shown to be adversely
affected by the lack of natural sunlight during the
dark and depressing fall and winter months. The
condition is referred to as Seasonal Affective
Disorder (SAD) or winter depression.
Light therapy, also called
bright light therapy or phototherapy, has been used
to treat SAD since the early 1980s. Many mental
health professionals now consider light therapy to
be standard treatment for seasonal affective
disorder.
Since 1995,
under the Essentials Of Life division, Tan Plus has
sold the
Aurora™
light boxes and other "natural" lighting products
in partnership with Lumiram, the largest
manufacturer of full spectrum lighting for home,
office, and industry.
Light therapy units do not
emit UV rays and therefore do not produce a tan or
vitamin D. As with all Tan Plus services, light
therapy is provided in a completely private room.
While using the light box you can listen to music
on your IPod, read a book or magazine, do paperwork
on the desk provided, or just relax and meditate.
The light box has been
mounted at the recommended distance for the desired
intensity. You sit directly in front of the unit as
the light shines into your eyes. The eyes need be
open, and sunglasses should not be worn. You may
prefer to look at the light box briefly at regular
intervals. The light box intensity of 10,000 lux is
much brighter than normal indoor light which is
usually 300-500 lux, but not as bright as summer
sunlight which can be as bright as 100,000
lux.
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Light
Therapy Price List
Single
Session..$ 6.00 (20 minutes)
Long Session ...$ 9.00 (30
minutes)
5
Sessions...$ 27.00
10 Sessions...$ 42.50
15 Sessions...$ 58.50
20 Sessions...$ 72.00
Session
Packages Can
Be Used For Light Therapy or Tanning
(Booth or Legacy), Never Expire and May
Be Shared or Transferred.
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Light therapy has
potential benefits for people with SAD and may
be helpful if you:
• Don't want to
take medications such as antidepressants
• Can't tolerate the side effects of
antidepressants
• Tried antidepressants but they haven't
been effective
• Want an alternative to psychotherapy
• Are pregnant and concerned about the
effects of antidepressants on your developing
fetus
• Lack insurance coverage for mental health
services
Light therapy may be
helpful in treating conditions other than SAD.
However, it shouldn't be a substitute for standard
treatment. And keep in mind that little research
has been done using light therapy for other
disorders. These other disorders may
include:
• Depression
other than seasonal affective disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
• Postpartum depression
• Some forms of insomnia
Learn
More About SAD And Light
Therapy
Purchase
The Aurora™ Bright Light System For Home Or
Office
The Aurora™ Bright
Light System
provides 10,000 Lux of bright, color balanced,
sun-like ray's at a distance of 36" (12,000 Lux at
24"), which, unlike most other light boxes, does
not require close sitting.
Note: Lux is a unit used to measure light
intensity. Indoor light levels range from 200 to
700 lux, while outdoor light levels, on a sunny
spring day, range from 2,000 to well beyond 10,000
lux.
Aurora uses
the latest high power and high C.R.I. fluorescent
technology to best simulate the sun's rays.
(Lumiram, high lumen output, with patented unique
phosphor blend full spectrum fluorescents).
Aurora utilizes
an advanced flicker-free high power factor
electronic ballast for consistent operation and is
equipped with a special prismatic lens for
comfortable, glare-free light distribution, and
total protection from U.V. rays and electromagnetic
radiations.
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How To Use Light
Therapy
The most common device
used for bright light therapy is a fluorescent light box,
which produces a light intensity of 2,500 to 10,000 lux at a
comfortable distance (1-2'). Light box intensity ratings are
always at a given distance. Fewer headaches and eyestrain
are associated with using balanced spectrum
light.
The light box is placed
in front of the user at the recommended distance for the
desired intensity. One should be directly in front of the
unit as the light shines into the user's eyes. The eyes need
be open, and sunglasses should not be worn. Some may be
instructed to look at the light box briefly at regular
intervals. The light box intensity of 10,000 lux is much
brighter than normal indoor light which is usually 300-500
lux, but not as bright as summer sunlight which can be as
bright as 100,000 lux.
The Aurora™ bright
light system provides a measured amount of balanced spectrum
light equivalent to standing outdoors on a clear spring day.
This has been shown to help regulate the body clock. Photo
biologists point out that the light is registered by the
eyes through the retina, which then transfers impulses to
the hypothalamus in the brain to normalize the body clock
function. The light from the box will help synchronize
sleep/wake patterns with one's work and
lifestyle.
Regular daily usage of
the Aurora™ bright light systems at the same time each
day is recommended until symptoms disappear. After that
period the patient may be able to cut session time or split
a half-hour morning session into 15 minutes each in the
morning and afternoon. Once a routine is established, most
people can skip a couple of days without ill-effects.
However, by the third day without light therapy most
Seasonal Affective Disorder sufferers will see symptoms
return. Light therapy sessions should begin at the time of
the year before symptoms become obvious or distressing. Most
patients will discontinue use in the spring when they
receive enough natural light. The times when usage is
necessary can be greatly affected by the amount of sunlight
or cloudy rainy weather.
It is possible to
overuse a light box. Overuse can result in irritability and
agitation, which is often followed by fatigue. Irritability,
agitation and initial eyestrain for 1-3 days appear to be
the main side effects. Inducing mania is seen in about 1% of
light box users and mild hypomania may occur from persistent
overuse. Some drugs make patients photosensitive, as can
contact lenses, and those patients may need to be
conservative when using staring light therapy. Those on
antidepressants can often reduce their dosage, with their
doctor's consent, once light therapy becomes
effective.
Given the effectiveness
of treatments for Seasonal Affective Disorder, it would be a
shame for anyone suffering from SAD not to seek help. SAD is
often correctly self-diagnosed and anyone can purchase light
devices. Nevertheless, other illness factors may be at play,
and seeking the guidance of a qualified medical practitioner
in both the diagnosis and treatment of SAD is highly
recommended. (Usage patterns outlined herein represent those
most typically given by current clinical practices. They are
not intended to encourage self-prescription or to contradict
an individual's prescribed therapy.)
Note: Tan Plus and
Lumiram makes no medical claims and it is recommended to
consult your physician or therapist on how to use light
therapy.
Copyright
© 2006
• Ray Allard • All Rights Reserved
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Tanning
& Natural Health News
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