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Comment by rapsey | Hacker News Reader

The most effective way to get Vitamin D in your system is a Vitamin D lamp. Taking D3 is a limited substitute. Switching to a lamp had an immense and immediate effect on my insomnia.

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One thing I don't understand about these lamps, does the narrowband UVB radiation from these lamps create skin damage like normal sun radiation?

To rephrase would overdosing something like this actually create skin burning/tanning similar to tanning beds?

No tanning or burning. You are also done in a min or two so no time for one either.

Can you explain how that works? As I understand it, UVB is responsible for both vitamin D synthesis and skin damage. So how is it then possible that 1 minute of sun-lamp radiation is equivalent to 15 minutes of natural/sun radiation in terms of vitamin D, but not in terms of skin damage?

I was talking about tanning and burning. That is UVA. Vitamin D lamps limit the light to a single wavelength at least mine does. As for damage, the wavelengths that are suppose to cause the most damage are different to the wavelength that it uses for vitamin d.

Ok thanks, one more question, for the curious.. whenever I've seen people use these lamps, they are pointing them to their face (maybe because of winter mood/blues etc.).

Would these lamps be more effective if they pointed the lamps towards exposed arms/legs (greater surface area)?

I point it at my torso, wear glasses (they came with the device) and have closed eyes for the duration. I have no idea why anyone would point it at their face.

What about just getting some sun?

Not effective?

Use this calculator to figure out how much sun time you need given your latitude/longitude, cloud cover, elevation, etc. https://fastrt.nilu.no/VitD.html

And keep in mind that using your skin to generate Vitamin D from the sun is a complex process that takes time. Exposure during the day typically results in Vitamin D being made available in the evening, and thorough washing can reduce yield.

You need the sun at > 40 degrees angle if IRC.

In the north this happens only during brief periods of time. It’s also usually during office hours...

Getting enough sun at some places or latitudes is almost impossible during the summer unless you work outside during the breaf period of time there actually is light outside. It's also cold.

A lamp is a minute or two and you're done. Sun requires 15+ mins and if you spend too much time you get sunburn. Using sunscreen works against you.

Doesn’t this depend on age and other factors?

I thought that as you age your body slowly loses the ability to synthesize it, hence the need for supplements.

Which lamp/model do you use?

Androv medical Dermfix 3000 UV-B. It seems it is discontinued now, but their other model has the same light wavelength so it produces the same effect.

Thank you. The only other model I found is out of stock from the German store as well and can’t find it elsewhere.

Amazon results for vitamin D lights seem dubious to me... the only thing I found was some reptile uvb lamps but not sure I want to risk those on myself :-/

Please consult a doctor before taking lamp form. You could easily reach toxic levels.

Make sure to double-check on Twitter before following medical advice from a Hacker News thread

Yes, I'd just like to add that moms on Facebook may seem invaluable but they are often a misguided version of the information you can read on the subreddit.

Don't be gullible, check your facts!

Should they also consult a doctor before going outside?

There are a lot of risks to being in UVB light too much, but excess endogenous Vitamin D production isn't one of them.

There's a risk to get a skin cancer, so its very serious.

Better to eat oranges and go outside as much you can: balcony/roof/near private home etc.

So is spending time in the sun without sunscreen.

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