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How as Humans to Use a Reptile Lamp for Vitamin D finally provides an affordable means for more of us to get UVA and UVB light each winter, in the absence of enough sunlight!
While I personally have and love the Sperti Sunlamp, and use it faithfully multiple times each week, not everyone can or wants to afford the investment.
So I was very happy to discover this VERY affordable alternative: Use a reptile lamp instead!
I have several acquaintances who have gone this route; some have done testing for vitamin D levels, and all are happy with the results.
Why humans need light and vitamin D
While we often talk in terms of needing vitamin D, what the body really needs is light! The human body uses light to detox toxins from the skin, and vitamin D is produced in the process.
When we take oral vitamin D, we are simply loading our bloodstream with this hormone that is then ushered to the liver.*
What we really need is light, and then our body knows what to do with it.
What’s a reptile lamp
Reptiles need light even more than we do, and they need the same light we do: sunlight, which provides UVA and UVB rays, as well as warmth.
Reptile lamps provide the answer for pet lovers who have their reptiles in aquariums, away from natural sunlight. Reptile lamps are required for the survival of these cold blooded creatures.
But, what an inexpensive solution for some humans, too.
Why we need sunlight
Each winter, billions of humans suffer from lack of sunlight. We just don’t detox as well without it.
In recent years, many have been diagnosed with conditions like Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of winter depression that sets in from lack of light. While light therapy energy lamps really help, and I used one myself for years, the bigger better solution is a light source that provides UVA and UVB rays.
But billions of humans do not suffer from SAD, and yet our bodies still need light! Whether we feel symptom-free, have low energy, struggle with autoimmune diseases, are moody or depressed, our bodies need sunlight for optimum function.
If we struggle with health issues, we need light even more, to detox and overcome toxic burdens.
What are the best sources of light each winter
Sun lamp
If you can afford it, I first and foremost recommend the Sperti sunlamp, specifically the Fiji Sunlamp (not the vitamin D model), because it most closely simulates the sun’s rays. This light, ideally used in a warm room, helps the body to produce vitamin D and detox.
Safe tanning bed use
Another great option is the safe use of tanning beds, which I share how to do (yes, safely), here. One great benefit of this option is the warmth that comes from the devices, as well as the rays.
It could be argued that tanning beds are the best option for vitamin D production, because of the warmth mentioned (that accompanies the UV rays), but because this choice is so controversial, I hesitate to say it’s the best option.
And, tanning beds are not as convenient as a tool that can be used at home, unless perhaps your gym offers tanning. (Some gyms now offer tanning beds that have higher UVB rays and red light, included in the price you already pay to work out. But most have tanning beds that are higher in UVA rays than is ideal.)
A 3rd alternative
For many, the Sperti model is too expensive, and tanning beds aren’t convenient, or perhaps you can’t get over your former conceptions of tanning beds.
So now there’s an alternative that’s SO inexpensive and very convenient.
How humans can use a reptile light for vitamin D
Benefit 1: For the cost of the socket and bulb (plus optional lamp stand or clamp), consider purchasing a reptile light, for the cheapest and best solution — about $60.
Benefit 2: In addition to the price benefit, the other advantage to using a reptile lamp is the warmth that comes off of it!
How to use a reptile lamp to tan and/or produce vitamin D
The two advantages mentioned above come with one quirky step; the lamps are small, so here’s how to make it work:
- Carve out 20 minutes, or less, twice a week, or more often, if preferred. Listen to a podcast or music, whatever you enjoy. Or just sit/lay down and rest, and breathe.
- Turn on the lamp for 5 minutes before you lay under/sit in front of it. The lamp does not emit UVB rays immediately.
- Position the small lamp so it points at one spot on your torso. Have a naked upper body (or just a bra/bikini top on for women). Have and use protective eye wear, either goggles (like these) or something draped over your eyes.
- Start with 1 to 3 minute stints (and work up to 5 to 7 minute stints, if it works well for your body, or stay at 3 minutes in each spot). Set a timer as you begin each time. Relax for those few minutes. When the timer goes off, move the light to the next spot on your torso. Repeat this until you’ve covered your torso area, so 3 to 4 times total.
- That’s it, you’re done! If you love it and want to go longer, or want greater benefits, do the same thing on your back.
Cons of using a reptile lamp
Using a reptile lamp for vitamin D isn’t for everyone. Here are the drawbacks:
- It’s a little odd and inconvenient to have to move the lamp 3 to 4 times to cover the surface of your torso. (But 4 times and 20 minutes isn’t that bad for the serious health benefits and savings!) In fact, even I move the Sperti Sunlamp to multiple locations on my body! It takes longer, but I get more benefit from greater exposure.
- Bulbs DO have to be replaced. So the $30 investment will need to be repeated. How often varies with each product, but oftentimes lights last 6 months. So this approach is cheaper even than any tanning bed offer.
- You either need to buy a lamp stand (a $21.99 one time purchase) as well, or you need to create a system for where and how to clamp/hang the light. The lamp stand keeps the set up process very quick and easy, and is still quite inexpensive.
Best reptile lamp for humans to use for winter light
When you search for reptile lamps, most provide either light or heat, but not both. What reptiles are ideally provided by their owners, and certainly provided with by good breeders, is also what humans need most: The proper balance of ultraviolet light (including UVA and UVB) and infrared light (heat) in one easy to use lamp.
The best reptile lamp I know of for human production of vitamin D is:
- Repti Zoo Reptile Light with Ceramic Socket (find it here) — This lamp makes a great choice because of the ceramic base, making it long lasting and allowing for the production and transfer of heat.
- Choose a bulb based on desired wattage ($25-$30). Here’s a 100W bulb, here’s a 160W bulb, or choose as low as 25W if you want to sit as close as 12″. The closer you position yourself to the bulb, the more UVB rays you get, but you also can’t sit too close for safety. This chart for the 160W bulb indicates laying at or over about 30″ underneath.
- Important: You will need this lamp stand, or similar, to then lay your body under the light. Or a clamp, if you wish to sit in front of the lamp.
- Position yourself about 12″ to 30″ under the lamp, depending on the wattage of bulb you choose.
- Start with just 1 to 3 minutes each, on about 3 to 4 spots of your torso, daily, or 2 to 3 times weekly.
- Increase the time daily, or more gradually, to 5 minutes, or longer, up to 7 or 8 minutes in each spot, if you wish.
You can Pin How as Humans to Use a Reptile Lamp for Vitamin D here:
Additional sources: 1, 2
*To learn more about why we should not take oral vitamin D, listen to Jim Stephenson, a vitamin D researcher here. Also, it is noteworthy that many reptiles can not reproduce when given oral vitamin D; they have to have light and warmth. Humans are too fast to create a pill for what nature provides better.
Heather Wormsley says
It is my understanding that UVB is what the body uses to make vitamin D and UVA is the “aging” side of UV rays. Could we use a reptile light without UVA (or do they even make them)? Thank you.
Megan says
Hi Heather, good questions. So while UVA light can be thought of as the light that causes aging, again it’s an simplistic understanding of nature for us as humans to try and pinpoint the one task something in nature does separate from its actual setting or design in nature (I talk more below about the other main roll of UVA rays). The sun was created with both for our benefit, so my doctor (and I) do not think it’s wise to isolate UVB rays and say that UVA have no benefit at all. Sperti does offer a UVB lamp, that they call their Vitamin D lamp, but I opted for their Fiji model for this reason: I want full spectrum light. We are not after just UVB rays, we are after full spectrum light, and then our body makes vitamin D from that light. With this in mind, it makes sense that the best reptile lamps purposely include both rays as well (as well as UVC). Human care of pets often tells us what is best for humans. Breeders and reptile scientists know that reptiles do best with full spectrum light. One other role they’ve isolated as a benefit for UVA rays is its regulation of circadian rhythm and behavior. This is especially important for humans each winter. We need light for health, not just the production of vitamin D. They do make UVB bulbs for reptiles, as it’s the ray that’s considered the most essential, but it’s a compromise to the pet’s health to not provide UVA. If we’re concerned about aging skin, like on the face, especially for women, we can always limit our face exposure to just 1 to 3 minutes. I do include my face because it truly affects my mood and feeling of well being to have light on my face each day.
Heather Wormsley says
Thank you very much for your prompt and thorough response. 🙂
Megan says
So happy to help. 🙂
wr says
Seriously why would I use a lamp called a reptile lam?
Amber says
Cause u should
Steve Jonas says
Hi Megan,
Thanks so much for your article on heat lamps. The lamp that you suggested on Amazon does not include a bulb, so I was wondering if you think this 160w bulb on Amazon would be a good one to go with? Thanks so much. https://amzn.to/3Wwxd6j
Megan says
Hi Steve, You are right, and I’m sorry I didn’t add a bulb recommendation, nor mention that price addition! I am learning with you on this! 🙂 I like the bulb you’ve linked to, although my acquaintances sometimes use a lower wattage, which really affects how far away you position your body for how much UVB you get, as well as warmth etc. Warmth can be a good indicator of safety and UVB rays. For a lower wattage bulb, someone would position themselves as mentioned in the article at 12-24″ away (as close as 12″ for 25W) for the right amount of UVB rays, but with the bulb you’re linking to, you’d need to be further away. I’m going to link to the chart on that HERE, but basically over 2 feet away (more like 30”), which could work well, laying underneath it. So based on my “learning” status on this topic, different wattages are fine, but we need to be mindful of how far we position ourselves from the lamp based on the wattage. The 100W version of the bulb you linked to is here. To clarify, the closer you get, the more UVB rays, but it’s not safe to get too close. Thanks again for making me aware that I need to add that!, and I’ll update the post accordingly with bulb options.
Steve Jonas says
Hi Megan, Thanks for your thoughtful and informative response. I’m glad you made me aware of the different wattages of bulbs and the subsequent action we need to take when using them. I think I may go with the 100w bulb because it seems to be a good compromise and will hopefully provide good results. Thanks!
Megan says
Sounds great, Steve, I’m so glad. I’d love to hear how you like it at some point if it’s convenient. Best!!
Steve Jonas says
Hi Megan,
I am giving you an update on the reptile lamp I am using for light exposure. I hadn’t used the lamp for about a month and noticed that my energy and mood levels were not very good. So today I took the time to sit under my lamp, and did so for about 20 minutes total. Almost immediately after I have noticed a remarkable difference in my energy and mood levels, much improved. With the lamp and 100w bulb I have, the downside to that bulb is that it covers a smaller surface of skin as it needs to be somewhat close to my body for effectiveness. A larger wattage bulb would allow for more skin coverage in one setting. But for an inexpensive and convenient light option, overall I am pleased with it. Thanks again for your nice article on the whole process.
Megan says
Hi Steve, it’s great to hear the details of how it works for you and your feedback on the process; thank you! How far away from your skin do you position the 100W bulb? And how many locations add up to the 20 minutes? I am using the same method and wattage with my dad, so it’s great to compare and hear your experience! 🙂 Plus, a great benefit for future readers who are curious. Thank you again!
Steve Jonas says
Hi Meagan, The lamp shade is 15″ from the floor, and I am under it, so depending on which body part is under the lamp, it is fairly close to my body. I monitor it by how how hot my skin is feeling, as well as timing how long each of the parts of my body is under the lamp. I usually have it over two parts of my upper torso, front and back, and then on my legs I am moving it three times on each side. I hope this is helpful, and I wish your dad well with his reptilian experience!
Megan says
Haha, thank you, Steve! Love the quick response! Okay, great to know!! Blessings, and so nice to connect!
Chris Triplett says
I got a Repti Zoo super sun. I did 5 minutes the first day, then 10. But then over did it 14 minutes and added a near infrared lamp for more warmth. Bad idea! I overdosed and started feeling ill a few hours later. Headache, chills, slight nausea. Just as described when I looked into it. I thought I could handle it since I don’t burn in the sun.
I will start over in a few days with short time and no extra infrared!
Justyn says
Agreed about oral, isolated Vitamin D. In fact, I don’t recommend any isolated vitamin/mineral or any supplement. Nature (whole foods, light etc) provides the right co-factors, in the right proportions that are bioavailable and optimized so our bodies can assimilate them properly.
On top of that, researchers such as Stephanie Seneff go so far as it say that they are finding that there are other benefits to sunlight well and past Vitamin D itself, that Vitamin D may just be a indicator, but the benefits aren’t derived from the vitamin D itself.
Megan says
Thanks for that Justyn!
Jenni says
Thank you for this article! I’m excited to know there is another option besides the Spertii. It’s been on my wishlist. I’m curious about the eye protection you mentioned and wondering if it’s necessary. I’ve read in different places that it’s important for your eyes to be exposed to the light to help prevent sun damage to the skin. At the same time I been told sunlight can cause damage to the eyes. Do you have any thoughts or knowledge about what is best for this?
Thanks for your help!!
Megan says
Hi Jenni, my own thought is that the eye protection is needed with this non-sun means of obtaining UVA and UVB rays. And then it’s ideal to get outside each day and expose our eyes to the sunlight. It’s kind of the best of both worlds, and doing the best we can with a man made solution to this modern problem. Thanks for the great question!
Gina says
Thank you for this article. I purchased all of the items and a 160w lamp. My husband and I are African American, so we figure we might need longer sessions. My skin is lighter brown and his is medium brown. Hope to see some improvements to our health over time.
Megan says
Hi Gina, you’re welcome, my pleasure. This is so great to hear. I’m so glad you both are starting, and I’d love to hear how it goes. Yes, my daughter is African American, and I do longer sessions for her than I do for my bio kids. Here’s to improved health over time! 🙂
Elizabeth says
Thank you so much for this informative post. I have “winter blues” every year, and find that my autoimmune issues are worse in the winter. (I live in MA) I have taken oral vitamin D for years without noticing any difference. I ordered the lamp and bulb today and can’t wait to try it. Thank you!!
Megan says
That’s awesome to hear, Elizabeth; I’m so hopeful for you! Thank you for sharing, and if you have a moment to share again in the future how it’s gone for you after using the lamp, that would be so appreciated! Best for feeling better soon!
Christina says
Thank you for this information. 5 years ago we moved from sunny California to the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Even though we love it here and wouldn’t go back, we all have been struggling with chronic fatigue and I actually have low D levels from laboratory tests. I feel that the lack of sunlight is impacting our health negatively. My husband has had two basil cells melanoma removed from his face so I’m concerned about using sunlamps? We will speak with our doctor about using a sunlamp, but I would like to know your thoughts as well. It’s like lately we can’t get an honest answer to anything these days. Thank you!
Best wishes
Christina
Megan says
Hi Christina, I sympathize. We also live in the PNW, but each winter I long to be where it’s sunny, and my health improves so much when I’m in a sunny climate. My opinion about skin issues, the sun and lamps is multi-fold, but in short: sunscreen ingredients cause c., toxins in the skin do also; vitamin D is produced by the body to transport skin’s toxins to the liver. Lamps used responsibly do not cause skin c. IMO, nor does the sun. We do want to avoid burning. I also believe diet is significant, and a low vitamin A diet is the best way for the liver and skin to transport toxins out of the body. (Re diet, if you haven’t already read it: https://eatbeautiful.net/vitamin-a-detox-diet-free-printable-food-lists-avoid-eat-toxicity/) Best wishes, too!
Bonnie says
Hi Megan. I was considering buying a Sperti but I think I will try this much cheaper option instead. Are the results and benefits similar to a Sperti lamp? What are the benefits you’ve experienced from using a sun lamp? The chart that shows the distances from the bulb – is that for a 160 watt bulb? I was thinking of getting a 100 watt bulb but not sure which one to go with. Thank you for this information! It’s very helpful.
Megan says
Hi Bonnie, the results and benefits are similar, yes. There is one greater benefit from using the reptile lamp, and that is the warmth it exudes. This helps our bodies produce vitamin D better than rays without warmth. The benefits I notice are actually significant: better mood, energy, detoxing and even overall wellness. Detoxing manifests in skin conditions improving and my body working better, fewer symptoms — more like how I feel each summer or on a sunny vacation. Distance from the bulb should be dictated by warmth. It will feel too hot if too close. One reader says his is 15″ from the floor, and he lies underneath it, so pretty close, like you’d picture a lamp in a reptile terrarium. Happy to help!
Bonnie says
Also, I’m in Canada and am trying to source the same products on Amazon.ca. Can you let me know if this product would work? Thanks again.
Megan says
Hi Bonnie, that looks like a good suitable product.
leo crocker says
it seems like when i use uva lamp it gives me a glow but after few hours its gone i used zoo med 100 watt uva any advice
Megan says
Are you getting UVB rays as well? I would choose a bulb with both rays.
Rebecca says
Question: For the reptile lamp option, would it work to use some sort of diffusion and sit under it longer (while working) and derive comparable benefits? Or does it need to be a certain distance without interruption to work?
Megan says
Hi Rebecca, good question. I don’t actually know. I wonder if you could put it further away from you and achieve a similar goal/benefit from the distance (instead of diffusing). You could experiment to find out. Because this kind of lamp will actually cause you to tan and can even burn you, you could play around with it gently to see. Let us know if you learn a new method that works well for your needs.
John says
Can the reptile uvb lamps be used in the bathroom heat fixture in the ceiling?
Megan says
Hi John, no, I don’t think this would be safe. But you’d need to talk with an electrician to be sure.
JC says
Hello Megan .. have you heard of ‘Sauna Space’? I ask this because they use a 4 bulb system for sauna use, each being 250 watts. I wondered if these 250W bulbs deliver the UVA/UVB percentage similar to the Sperti or reptile bulbs. The 250 watt bulbs are also sold to warm chicks and ‘Sauna Space’ sells their own particular brand of the bulb.
Can these four 250W bulbs promote Vitamin D producton, and be used instead of the Sperti or reptile bulbs? Thanks. JC
Megan says
Hi JC, good questions. I have heard of Sauna Space and in fact have one of their saunas. No, these bulbs do not provide any UV rays, so their purpose is different.
Verna says
Hi Megan,
Thank you for this article! I found it very helpful in getting started making my own sun lamp. I have a couple questions. Do you keep the lamp shade on to focus the light, or do you remove it so it covers a larger area of the body? Also, I’m curious if you found that you tan when you use this since it’s mostly UVA rays? That would be a nice bonus besides all the health benefits it provides!
Thanks!
Verna
Megan says
Hi Verna, I leave the shade on. Yes, you can tan with these bulbs, but you can also burn. So tanning comes slowly; it’s gentle and subtle. If you build up to longer times and more often, you can get the tan darker. Happy to help! 🙂
Andrea says
Hi, great article, I’m writing to you from Italy, do you think this lamp would be good?
Megan says
Hi Andrea, thank you; it’s in Italian, but from what I can see, yes. It’s a UVA UVB combo. And then you just need to make sure you have the ceramic to screw it into, as well. And a clamp or stand.
Andy Bell says
I found a low wattage reptile bulb (15w) that doesn’t produce any heat. Is this ok to use? Or do I need the heat too?
Megan says
Hi Andy, you do need the heat as well.