FAQ - Affiliate
If your question isn't included here, feel free to reach out at help@thelumebox.com!
What is Red Light Therapy? (RLT)
RLT delivers specific wavelengths of light to improve the function of the mitochondria (the powerhouses of your cells).
Studies have shown it may help skin, muscle tissue, and other parts of your body.
Red light therapy is also commonly referred to as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), low-power laser therapy (LPLT), and photobiomodulation (PBM).
What's the difference between NIR and Red light wavelengths?
Both red light at 660nm and near infrared light at 850nm have been shown to enhance cellular function.
The primary difference is that NIR has been shown to penetrate deeper than red light.
Because of this:
- Red light is better for skin issues
- NIR is better for deeper tissues like muscle and joints.
When in doubt, we recommend using the combined mode with both NIR + Red.
Is LUMEBOX registered with the FDA?
Yes, LUMEBOX® is a FDA class II device.
What are the risks of RLT?
LED based Red light therapy is generally considered safe, although it is important you choose a reputable brand that has conducted quality assurance tests.
Just like there is no one size fits all with nutrition, we all respond differently to light. Some of us can benefit from a lot of red light, whereas others are more sensitive.
We recommend you check with your healthcare provider before starting, and start low, e.g. 3-4 minutes, and observe how you respond.
When we interviewed Dr Michael Hamblin, he was of the belief that it is quite hard to overdose on red light. However, some side effects may be fatigue, headache, but there’s been no serious ill effects from red light reported so far.
Should I wear protective eyewear?
Eye protection should always be used when operating LUMEBOX.
Do not stare directly at the LEDs.
If your eyes are sensitive to light or if you take medications that cause photosensitivity, consult a medical professional prior to use.
Can I wear clothes when using LUMEBOX?
We don't advise you shine the LUMEBOX through clothing. However, you can wear clothes over areas not being treated.
Can I use LUMEBOX under a heavy blanket or thick clothing?
Everyone is different, and factors like ambient temperature and skin tolerance play a role. While some may find it comfortable, we generally recommend keeping the back of your LUMEBOX uncovered during use, as covering it with a heavy blanket or thick clothing may cause the device to overheat.
Is the device safe for children?
Red light therapy has not been extensively studied in children, so it is important to check with your pediatrician or healthcare provider.
So far, the studies have not shown any concerns and it is thought to be generally safe, however, LUMEBOX is powerful so you may need to put the device further away to reduce the light dose - check with your doctor.
Can the device interfere with medications?
While several studies have shown light therapy to be safe, it is important to consult with a medical professional about the medications you are using prior to operating the device.
Who should NOT use LUMEBOX?
- Do not use the device if you are photosensitive
- Do not use the device if using topical, oral, or injectable steroids.
- Do not use the device during the healing period post LASIK eye surgery.
- Do not use the device if pregnant or lactating, users should consult their physician with any questions.
What is irradiance, and how is it tested?
This is the most commonly asked question so it is important to provide some background.
There are many ways to achieve a false higher irradiance result, and a lot of companies out there use hand-held light meters, which are not usually very accurate. The readings may be affected by a variety of things, like the type of meter, the placement and angle between the device and testing equipment, or not using a final product for testing.
To ensure we can confidently support our irradiance numbers, LUMEBOX® tested with two separate labs. The first lab reported that irradiance for both red light and NIR were well above 150 mW/cm2. The second lab used more advanced testing equipment, in a standardized, controlled lab environment, at 1cm away from the device (not 0cm, which would again falsely give a high reading because the closer you are to the light source, the higher the irradiance). The irradiance was 140 mW/cm2 for NIR and 125 mW/cm2 for red light. Note – We also tested two other leading brands at the second lab, and their irradiance came out significantly lower than what they claim on their website. So, if irradiance is something you care about a lot – ask the company how they tested and make sure they’re not pulling the wool over your eyes.
At LUMEBOX, we pride ourselves on rigorous, high standards, so we decided to use the measurements from the 2nd lab even though the first one gave us higher readings.
Does LUMEBOX test for EMF?
Yes, we do! And we do it properly. Here's how. Testing for EMF is somewhat similar to irradiance – readings are not always accurate and affected by many external factors. This is why we decided to test for EMF in an independent lab instead of with a hand-held EMT meter. In addition, we have not found any company that reports their EMF at 0 cm from the device. Most companies report their EMF reading at 6” away – which is misleading, because distance reduces EMF, and this is how they can show a reading of 0uT, which would apply to LUMEBOX® as well.
We went one step ahead and tested the EMF in an independent lab, at 0 cm away from the device, not 6”, and it measured at 0.2uT, which is very low – common household appliances like hair dryers would be 50-100x that.
Does LUMEBOX have any flicker issues?
Flicker is mainly caused by the stability level of the power supply. Generally it is a bigger concern for LED products that run on AC power. LUMEBOX® operates on DC power (battery), and therefore flicker is not considered an issue. You may see mild flickering for 1-2 seconds when switching between modes but this is to be expected while the power switches between electrical circuits. This should not have any health effects unless the user tends to be hyper-sensitive.
In hyper-sensitive individuals, flickering in lighting may be associated with headaches at the workplace when exposed to long periods, particularly at lower flicker rates of less than 120hz. You’ll see companies claim they are ‘low flicker’ but this can be misleading terminology because lower flicker rates (below 60Hz) are still detectable to the naked eye. Instead, waveform and flicker index are much better measures to look for when measuring flicker rate. Thankfully, this is not necessary in a DC-run device like LUMEBOX® unlike larger AC powered panels that require wall sockets.
Why doesn't LUMEBOX offer a full body RLT device?
Based on our extensive research, we find that the majority of the users achieved their desired results using the Targeted Red Light Therapy device, in areas such as sore ankles, muscle tightness, and joint pain.
Additionally, for personal self-care and facial skin rejuvenation, we find that Targeted Red Light Therapy is much more convenient and easier than Full Body Red Light.
What is your return policy?
The LUMEBOX® portable device comes with an automatic 30-day return period upon receipt of the device.
If you are not satisfied with the device in the first 30 days of receipt, your device is eligible for a refund of your purchase. Please refer to the Returns section of our site for further details.
How do I contact LUMEBOX?
You can reach out to us at the Contact section of our site
What do I do if I have an issue or complaint with my LUMEBOX®?
Please contact help@thelumebox.com