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Frequently Asked Questions about the use of The Zen Sunlight Room at The Wholistic Medical Centre

Is this equivalent to natural sunlight?

Yes – it is identical to natural sunlight, providing the full spectrum of light. The only difference is that it provides a reduced and safer level of Ultra Violet light.

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How does spending time in the Real Sunlight compare to spending time in the natural sun?

One hour in the Real Sunlight room gives you the same amount of Ultra Violet as you would get from spending 25 minutes in the natural sun on an average sunny summers day.

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Is exposure to this light dangerous?

No – the harmful part of the Ultra Violet spectrum has been filtered out to provide a safe level that is well below the norm set by the Radiation Institute (=30 Joule/m2 angled beams, 270 – 400 nanometre)

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Has the level of exposure to this light been tested?

Yes – Real Sunlight has been developed in conjunction with various light laboratories in Europe, the University of Lund, Sweden, the Swedish Radiation Institute and the Swedish Department of Research and Health.

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Has any scientific research been done?

Yes – In the study “Artificial Environment’s Influence on the Mood” – All results were positive.

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Can you tell me who invented Real sunlight and how they came about doing this?

Ingemar Nilsson, engineer and entrepreneur is the brains behind it- he has worked with infrared technology supplied to industry for many years.  Due to his knowledge in this field he was approached by SAAB in 1998 to see if he could develop full spectrum sunlight so that they could simulate different sun conditions from around the globe in order to test their cars. 

He developed a solution but it wasn’t quite full spectrum.  He carried on researching and had some breakthroughs and in 1990 he built the first full spectrum “sun tunnel” for Volvo.

During the next 10 years or so he carried on with his business and delivered more industrial sunlight applications for various customers.   Then one evening he watched a bingo TV program and realised everyone was ecstatic about winning holidays to Mauritius.  He then thought for himself that since only a lucky few could afford to fly to Mauritius he could provide this same experience using his sun simulators in Sweden. 

An idea was born and the next day he called up the weather station in Mauritius to get further details about the sunlight there. During the next few years he involved some scientists at Swedish universities and worked with the radiation authorities to develop a completely safe sun for everyone to enjoy. 

He also realised that while the sun is fantastic,  his sunbathers relaxed more and enjoyed themselves better in a multisensory environment where all their senses was triggered.  He developed a sun environment in his factory and during the first few years while still in the development stages he had thousands of visitors trialling it and giving him feedback.

His local council then approached him to setup an installation in one of their nursing homes to improve the quality of both the staff and the resident’s day to day lives.  A study was carried out on the staff during the following couple of years and following the sun installation their staff sick leave reduced by 25%.  This council now have four sunrooms in their nursing homes.

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What are the medical health benefits of Real sunlight?

  • Bone health: prevents osteoporosis, osteomalacia & rickets
  • Cellular health: prevents certain cancers including breast & colon cancer
  • Organ health: Prevents heart disease & stroke
  • Autoimmune health: Prevents multiple sclerosis, Type 1 diabetes & rheumatoid arthritis
  • Mood – related health: Prevents seasonal affective disorder, premenstrual tension & sleeping disorders. It also elevates your sense of well being.

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Can Real Sunlight be used for light therapy?

Yes – it works very well for this purpose too for treatment & prevention of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) because it contains the full spectrum of natural sunlight (400 – 780nm)

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How is Real Sunlight different from a normal light box unit for SAD?

A light box does not provide full spectrum light – it will only ever give ‘white’ light without the Ultra Violet or Infra Red spectrum which means no vitamin D production capacity and no heat. Hence the only benefit that you will ever get from a light box is its beneficial effect on SAD.  This effect is also limited in comparison since the light from the light box is up to 5000 Lux whereas the light from this Real Sunlight unit provides up to 20,000 Lux.

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What are the recommended guidelines for using Real sunlight?

It is recommended that you expose yourself to only one hour a day of the full daylight from the Real Sunlight. You can be exposed to the Infrared sunset light for as long as you would like. Should you want to sit under the full daylight for more than the recommended one hour then we suggest that you apply sun protection cream on your body.

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How much bare skin exposure is required to get maximum benefit from the light?

It is recommended that ideally you should expose 50 – 75 % of bare skin to the light to receive maximum benefit. Out of respect for others using this room at the same time, we ask that you DO NOT take all your clothes off – tempting though it may seem! We ask that you bring a pair of shorts & T shirt or swimwear when using this room.

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My skin is fair & very sensitive to light – is Real Sunlight safe for me?

In such cases we recommend gradual exposure to Real Sunlight starting perhaps with just the infrared light and slowly over a period of time adding in 5 – 10 mins of the full spectrum light exposure until your skin gets used to a gentle but regular exposure to this safe light.

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I have been told to avoid exposure to sunlight because of the medication I am taking. Does this also apply to Real Sunlight?

Certain medications such as antihistamines, anti diabetic medication, diuretics & a number of antibiotics do have an increased sensitivity to the sun. Having said that, bear in mind that Real Sunlight is not as intense, harsh or sun burning in its effects as the natural sun can be because what makes Real Sunlight so much safer to use is that the intensity of the UVA & UVB have been significantly reduced yet still allowing for all its benefits & the full spectrum light it offers.

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Is this the same light as in a normal solarium?

No – Solariums have only got UV – A and UV – B with the sole purpose of getting tanned. Real Sunlight gives the FULL spectrum of sunlight including the Infrared.

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Do you get tanned from being under this light?

Yes, if used on a regular basis but this tanning process will take longer, is safer, more natural and much healthier tanning than from a solarium. The primary focus of Real Sunlight is its health giving effects with the gentle tanning of the skin being a pleasant side effect!

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Can you simulate a whole day of light?

Yes – it is possible to adjust the light programmer to create sun-rise, full daylight and sunset.

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Is it possible to have a shorter session?

As the programs are all preset to last 60 mins, and to fully benefit from the recommended guidelines, we do not recommend shorter sessions than the 60 mins.

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What happens before, during and after the session?

You will be asked to bring a pair of shorts and T shirt (or swimsuit) to your session to get changed into (a small changing area is provided at the back of the room). 
There are 3 seats to choose from which can be adjusted to suit the purpose of reading, sleeping or simply resting and enjoying the atmosphere & music.
You will be exposed to full daylight for 45 mins at which point the light will switch to only infra red for the remaining 15 mins.
We recommend that at this point you slowly readjust to this softer light for 10 mins and then start to make your way to the changing room to get changed back in to your normal clothes.
The sun light will automatically turn off at the end of the 60 mins.
When you are ready, please be sure to close the door behind you & make your way back to the first floor to arrange your next appointment.

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What do I need to do to maximize the benefits from each session?

Drink plenty of water, take your Omega 3 capsules daily and for 48 hours avoid swimming to protect the skin from the chlorine & its effects on interfering with the skin conversion process induced by the light.

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What different light settings are there?

The Miami setting gives 60 mins of full daylight.
The Mauritius setting gives 45 mins of full daylight followed by 15 mins of   infra red light only. This is the setting that is most popular
The Bali setting gives 60 mins of only the Infra red spectrum of daylight as you would get from sunset.

Please do not touch the settings unit – please ask for help from a member of staff if needed.

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How do you feel after a sunlight session?

You will feel more relaxed, de-stressed, happier and energetic!

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How hot does it get? Will I sweat?

Sitting under the Real Sunlight can feel warm – hence the need to wear as little as is comfortable & suitable. The temperature is set to a maximum of 30 degrees & it is important to have sufficient ventilation with the fan and window open slightly. Generally speaking people do not sweat under this light – they just feel pleasantly warm!

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Will I need to wear eye protection glasses?

Should you find the light too bright, there is the option to wear your sunglasses or sun protection goggles provided. Over time, one does get used to the brightness of this light and it starts to feel very natural. However, the recommendation is to try to keep your eyes open, whilst reading or talking to fully benefit from the light therapy for the treatment & prevention of SAD. It is also recommended that you do not look directly at the light unit just as you would not look directly at the sun in full daylight.

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What can I do if the light seems too bright?

This is often the case in the beginning and you then get quite accustomed to this level of brightness. In the beginning, you may wish to wear the sun goggles or even sit with your back exposed to the sunlight till you become more accustomed to the brightness

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Will I need to wear sun protection cream?

If you are having only the one hour per day maximum exposure to the full daylight program of the Real Sunlight then it is not necessary to wear any sun protection cream. However, if you expose yourself to more than this recommended time then you would benefit from applying some sun protection cream after the first hour.

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Is there more than one person in the room at each session?

There are 3 comfortable seats in the room so at any one session there is the possibility of having 3 people benefiting from this light.

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Are there differences in light exposure in the 3 different seats provided?

The seat in the middle receives the strongest dose of light (18,000 – 20,000 Lux units) whilst the two seats on the side receive approximately 13,000 – 15,000 Lux units of light.

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If I have a problem during the session what do I do?

There is a phone in the changing room which allows you to ring to speak with the receptionist on the first floor.

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Can the room be locked from the inside for more privacy?

For health & safety reasons it is not possible to lock the door from the inside.

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How many sessions are recommended and how often?

Ideally, at least one session a week or more often, depending on your needs –particularly during the long winter months.

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What days & times is this room available for use?

Currently this room is only available for use Mondays – Fridays from
10am – 7pm. Please note that it is important to book your sessions in advance.

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Am I allowed to eat or drink in this room?

You are not allowed to eat in this room. Water is provided and you are encouraged to drink a glass of water at the end of your session.Please also remember to switch off your mobile phone before you start your session.

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Can I bring a group of friends along at the same time?

Yes – so long as you have pre booked your session and please be sure to arrive on time. The maximum the room will take sitting or lying down comfortably is 3 people.

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Are children allowed in this room?

Children over the age of 13 years old are allowed in the sun room if accompanied by an adult.

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Is it possible to book the room for a private session alone?

Yes – it is possible to do this. Please refer to the different prices & options listed below.

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What are the prices for each session?

  • 60 Minutes                                               £50.00
  • 60 Minutes (for Dr.Daya's patients)            £40.00
  • Prepay for course of 5 sessions and get the 6th Free    

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