Fall is upon us, and while most see it as the season of cooler weather, colorful landscapes, and pumpkin spice lattes, unfortunately for some, it can also trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that is brought upon by the changes in seasons, particularly summer to fall and fall to winter. Most people with SAD start seeing changes in mood and sleep patterns at the start of fall, with symptoms continuing into the winter months. These symptoms typically resolve during the spring and summer months. Less frequently, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer and resolves during the fall or winter. Symptoms of SAD include:

• Feeling listless, sad or down most of the day, nearly every day
• Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Having low energy and feeling sluggish throughout the day
• Oversleeping

What Causes S.A.D.

In the northern hemisphere, fall and winter months are often associated with reduced sunlight, which can cause your serotonin levels to drop. It can also elevate your melatonin levels, which can play a role in your sleep patterns and mood. Serotonin is a hormone that affects your mood, appetite, and sleep; a lack of sunlight may lead to lower serotonin levels, which is linked to feelings of depression.  Melatonin is the hormone that regulates our sleeping and waking habits, and too much melatonin can actually make it harder to sleep at night, as well as make you feel groggy during the day. Our body uses sunlight to time various important functions, such as when you wake up, so reduced sunlight during the winter may disrupt your body clock (circadian rhythm) and lead to symptoms of SAD.

How LED Light Therapy Can Help

For many, using light therapy can help decrease symptoms of SAD and other conditions like depression and sleep disorders. Red Light therapy treatments supercharge the mitochondria, AKA the powerhouses in our cells, and start a chemical reaction that gives us more energy. Red Light also stimulates the brain to increase the production of serotonin and reduce the production of melatonin. This will, in turn, increase your mood and energy levels and decrease feelings of sadness. Dp Dermaceuticals LED Face Mask delivers not only red light but also – harder to find in an at-home device – near-infrared light, making it the perfect device for decreasing symptoms of SAD. The mask is made from flexible silicone that comfortably molds to the contours of your face. Each light sits at an optimal distance from your skin, and the strategic placement of the LED lights ensures maximum light coverage and therefore more optimal results. 

In addition to decreasing symptoms associated with SAD, Dp Dermaceuticals LED Face Mask also works to reduce dark spots associated with too much time spent in the sun during the summer months. Red light has wavelengths long enough to penetrate to the dermis and stimulate cells to produce more collagen and elastin, thereby reducing hyperpigmentation and also reducing signs of aging such as wrinkles and fine lines. When used in conjunction with Brite Lite Serum, this mask becomes an even stronger weapon against hyperpigmentation and signs of aging. Our Dp Dermaceuticals LED Face Mask works excellent when paired with Hydrogel Sheet Mask*, an intensely moisturizing mask that leaves you with a healthy, radiant, glowing complexion. The Hydrogel mask can be worn under the LED mask to amplify the results.

*The Hydrogel mask is the only product that should be worn under the LED mask. Otherwise the skin should be clean and free of product.

Our LED mask not only works to decrease symptoms associated with SAD, but also works to heal and repair your skin from within by reducing dark spots associated with sun exposure. A single 10-minute session of the Dp Dermaceuticals LED Face Mask has been shown to leave your skin feeling plumper, more hydrated and refreshed, as well as visibly clearer and brighter.