Imagine being able to cure seasonal depression, fatigue, and acne with a 10 to 30 minute time investment daily. Would you believe us if we told you it’s possible and affordable at the same time? Because it is, and it’s called light therapy.
Light therapy lamps are specially made devices that emit high powered white light that is similar to the sun. Our brains react to it by producing serotonin, other feel-good chemicals, and stimulating us. As a result, you end up in a better mood and more alert. Lower levels of light can be used to help you sleep better which is great for those suffering from insomnia.
Many of our bodily functions revolve around a 24 hour period and are triggered by direct sunlight. It’s known as the circadian rhythm and most forms of like including animals and plants undergo it, too. When your cycle becomes interrupted because of the weather, travelling, or life events, you can feel a variety of symptoms.
Do you suffer from skin conditions, lethargy, or sleeping problems? Then using a light therapy lamp may be one of the best decisions you ever make. This is our review on the Verilux HappyLight Lucent and we’re confident it will help you make a decision. We’ll be covering everything from price, maintenance, quality, and safety.
- UV-FREE, LED, FULL SPECTRUM LIGHT – Light therapy lamp that delivers up to…
- EVENLY DISTRIBUTED LED LIGHT – Enjoy your daily dose of healthy, bright light…
- IMPROVE SLEEP, MOOD, FOCUS, ENERGY – Bright light therapy improves sleep, boosts…
Box Contents
When we picked up the box for the HappyLight Lucent, it was so light that we didn’t know if it was even inside. The lamp itself only weighs a single pound and is safely packaged inside. You also receive a power cord, detachable stand, and user manual to guide you through safe usage. Verilux light therapy lamps are simple to use and don’t require anything to get started. As soon as you get it out of the box, you can start reaping the benefits of light therapy.
Light Intensity
The HappyLight Lucent features 10,000 lux light intensity. Lux is a unit of measurement for light which determines the luminous flux per unit of a surface area. Don’t get too caught up on definitions, just know this is clinical strength power that will give you the same benefits as real sunlight.
LED vs Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Verilux products use only high quality LED bulbs to power their therapy lamps. You can also buy replacement bulbs from them so you know you’re getting one that’s made specifically for the Lucent. There are many advantages for using LED over fluorescent and traditional bulbs.
Firstly, LED lights have a much longer lifespan when compared to other types of lighting. You can expect the bulb in your Lucent lamp to last around 10,000 hours. Standard incandescent bulbs will only last for a fraction of that time. If you don’t need to replace the bulb as much, it saves you both money and time.
Secondly, LED bulbs are proven and designed to consume less energy. That means a lower electrical utility bill every month. Not only that, LED lights produce less heat and more actual light. This keeps your light therapy lamp at a better temperature and producing more white light to keep you feeling great.
Here’s the problem with fluorescent light bulbs. They very slightly lose their brightness as they age. It will be hard to notice but eventually it will be very dim compared to when you first bought it. Think about how this will affect your light therapy lamp. As times goes on, it will be less bright and won’t make you feel as great.
Perhaps most notably, LED lights are safer than fluorescent ones. This is because fluorescent light bulbs have mercury in them and other chemicals. If you were to drop your therapy lamp and the bulb broke, it can be very dangerous. LED bulbs are eco-friendly and much safer to use.
You’ll also find that a therapy lamp powered by LED shines brighter and produces a better colour index. This makes the experience closer to actually sitting out in the real sun. Close your eyes and you won’t be able to even tell the difference.
Light Quality
Verilux made the Lucent model with health and quality in mind. This is why there are no ultraviolet or infrared rays projected from the lamp. You don’t have to worry about skin conditions or negative effects that are normally caused by these spectrums. It gives you all of the benefits of 10,000 lux intensity without the potential drawbacks of sitting out in the sun for long periods.
Have you ever been outside for too long and gotten a sunburn? That’s a result of being exposed to ultraviolet rays. The blood vessels where you get burned become dilated which is what causes some of the redness. Higher UV rays will actually penetrate the skin and cause damage. This is how some people get forms of skin cancer like melanoma. You can avoid this by simply turning on your light therapy lamp and kicking back.
Being out in natural sunlight for long periods of times has its drawbacks. While you need it for vitamin D and to stimulate the circadian rhythm, light therapy lamps take away the negatives. One of which is the premature aging of the skin. Tanning for example is something that many people enjoy but it’s actually not a good thing. A tan is really damaged skin and your body produces more melanin as a result. Your skin will also become more dry and leathery.
Ultraviolet rays are also very harmful to our eyes. This is because 99% of the rays are absorbed by the front of the eye. This can cause many different issues related to sight. While you shouldn’t be directly staring into a light therapy lamp, it’s much less irritating to our eyes. You don’t even need to wear glasses while you have it on your desk for example.
- UV-FREE, LED, FULL SPECTRUM LIGHT – Light therapy lamp that delivers up to…
- EVENLY DISTRIBUTED LED LIGHT – Enjoy your daily dose of healthy, bright light…
- IMPROVE SLEEP, MOOD, FOCUS, ENERGY – Bright light therapy improves sleep, boosts…
Portability, Size and Design
The HappyLight Lucent looks exactly like a tablet. It’s ½ inch long, 6.5 inches wide, and 8.5 inches tall. Weighing only one pound, it’s one of the thinnest and lightest therapy lamps available. It powers on and off with a single button and couldn’t be easier to use.
To keep it upright, there is a detachable stand included with the lamp. There is also a wall mount if you’d like to hang it up and really feel like the sun is hitting your face. The back and front are a sleek silver with a dark grey outline the edges. Having the HappyLight Lucent in your hands makes you realize how much more impressive it looks in person.
Full Spectrum
Verilux prides itself in making full spectrum light therapy lamps, with the Lucent being one, too. Full spectrum lighting covers everything from infrared all the way up to ultraviolet. Sunlight is naturally full spectrum which is why you want a therapy lamp that provides the same thing. Otherwise, you wouldn’t get all of the benefits like mood increases or improved focus.
Cost
The Lucent is Verilux’s second cheapest model, making it very easy on the pocket. Browsing through other therapy lamps, there aren’t many in the same price range that omit 10,000 lux. The Aura Day light therapy lamp is more than double the price for same light intensity. If you’re trying to stay on a budget, you’ll be very happy with the HappyLight Lucent.
Overview
The Verilux HappyLight Lucent is one of the most impressive light therapy lamps we’ve had the privilege to review. If you check out our other reviews on Verilux products, you’ll see that we always have something good to say about them, but this lamp blew us away.
For such an affordable price, you can’t lose. The Lucent is powered by 10,000 lux LED lights that are eco-friendly, efficient, and safe. You’ll feel like you’re sitting under the sun on a nice spring day with the full spectrum white light it provides.
Being so light and small, you can place it anywhere around your home. Hang it up in your room or stand it up on your desk while you work. It’s luxurious silver design will have guests asking about it. Take off the detachable stand, pack it up, and take the Lucent on the go. It’s perfect for those that constantly travel not only because of its convenient size, but since it helps with reversing jet lag.
While it doesn’t give you many of the features you’ll get on higher end therapy lamps, it does the job. Sometimes simplicity is best and the Lucent embodies that.
- UV-FREE, LED, FULL SPECTRUM LIGHT – Light therapy lamp that delivers up to…
- EVENLY DISTRIBUTED LED LIGHT – Enjoy your daily dose of healthy, bright light…
- IMPROVE SLEEP, MOOD, FOCUS, ENERGY – Bright light therapy improves sleep, boosts…
