"Full-spectrum" is a term for a type of fluorescent light that approximates the visible and ultraviolet spectrum in natural light. Full-spectrum lights produce an illumination more similar to natural daylight than other electric lights. Full-spectrum lights typically look bluish instead of yellowish because they have a "cool" color temperature. Despite manufacturers' claims, full-spectrum lights usually do not provide health benefits.
Claims
Full-spectrum lights can be placed in light fixtures like other fluorescent bulbs. Manufacturers of full-spectrum lights may claim their products improve general health, regulate your circadian rhythms, improve your dental health, enhance your general comfort or treat seasonal affective disorder. They may also claim that full-spectrum lights provide better color discrimination or visual performance.
Efficacy
Full-spectrum lights do not improve your dental health, reports the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. They also are not as effective as short wavelength light at regulating your circadian cycles, which affect your sleep, mood and mental awareness. Full-spectrum lights sometimes contain some short wavelengths, which appear blue to the human eye, but they also contain longer wavelengths, which appear red to the human eye. Lights using only short wavelengths are more effective at regulating circadian cycles. However, full-spectrum lights may provide some psychological effects, which may include improvements in mood, performance and productivity. These psychological benefits do not have a clear biophysical cause, according to the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and are most likely to occur in societies that value natural light.
Treating SAD
Manufacturers of full-spectrum lights may suggest their products can treat seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, a condition characterized by increased sadness, anxiety and irritability, weight gain, increased sleep and difficulty concentrating. SAD usually occurs from late fall to spring and may be linked to your body's reaction to a lack of natural light in winter months. Sitting in front of very bright full-spectrum lights for 20 to 30 minutes a day may improve symptoms of SAD, but other lights that have a high intensity -- usually at least 10,000 lux -- will also provide benefits. The intensity of the light is more important than the spectrum.
Recommendations
Approach manufacturers' claims about full-spectrum lights with skepticism and do not use full-spectrum lights to treat a disease without consulting your doctor. If you prefer the look of natural light in your home or office, choosing full-spectrum lights may help you achieve that atmosphere. Full-spectrum lights may also be helpful if your task requires very good color identification. In many cases, however, the extra cost of full-spectrum lighting is not worth it.
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