Frequently
Asked Questions
Usage
How much Vitamin D do I need? What level should I aim for?
Vitamin D status is measured as serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D, or 25(OH)D. Many public health guidelines define sufficiency at 50 nmol/L, or 20 ng/mL. However, this level reflects a minimum threshold intended to prevent deficiency, not necessarily an optimal range.
A published reanalysis in the Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health concluded that the current Recommended Dietary Allowance may have been based on a statistical misinterpretation and may underestimate individual requirements. The authors found that substantially higher intake levels were required to ensure that nearly all individuals reached 50 nmol/L, suggesting that historical recommendations may not reflect true individual variability.
Many clinicians focused on optimization consider a serum level between approximately 75 and 125 nmol/L, or 30 to 50 ng/mL, to be a more robust range for overall physiological support. Individual needs vary based on skin type, body composition, geography, and baseline status.
The most reliable approach is periodic blood testing to determine your personal level and adjust accordingly. Sunniva supports natural Vitamin D production, allowing you to increase levels in a controlled and measurable way over time.
https://www.jpmph.org/journal/view.php?number=1915
Why not just take a Vitamin D supplement?
Vitamin D supplements can raise blood levels, but they do not replicate how the body naturally produces and regulates Vitamin D. When UVB light stimulates Vitamin D synthesis in the skin, the process is self limiting. Once adequate levels are reached, further production naturally slows. This biological feedback mechanism does not exist with oral supplementation, where fixed doses are absorbed regardless of current status.
More importantly, light exposure does far more than create Vitamin D alone. UV and complementary wavelengths trigger multiple photobiological pathways, including nitric oxide release, circadian signaling, and skin-mediated hormonal responses that a pill cannot reproduce. Supplements deliver a single isolated compound. Light activates an integrated biological system.
Human physiology evolved around sunlight-driven production, not oral dosing. Sunniva supports your body’s natural Vitamin D pathway in a controlled and measurable way, allowing you to increase levels while preserving the body’s inherent regulatory intelligence.
How to use
How often should I use the Sunniva panel for Vitamin D creation?
When beginning with UV-based vitamin D support, start slowly, using the Sunniva panel every other day, allowing your skin to adapt and build up melanin gradually. Moderate, regular exposure is more sustainable than intense, infrequent sessions.
Practical guidance:
- Begin with short sessions every other day with the Sunniva panel as you adapt.
- Observe your skin’s response; if you notice irritation or redness, reduce frequency or duration.
- Consult a healthcare professional before increasing session frequency, especially if you have a history of skin sensitivity, are taking photosensitizing medications, or have a condition affected by UV exposure.
This approach balances supporting vitamin D synthesis while prioritizing skin health and safety.
Is it safe to use the Sunniva Vitamin D panel?
Yes. It is safe when used as directed. Simply avoid overexposure and follow the recommended guidance provided in the user manual and on the back of the panel.
Who should not use the panel?
Individuals with photosensitive conditions, those taking medications that increase UV sensitivity, or anyone under medical care for skin conditions should consult a healthcare professional before use.
How long will it take to notice results?
Some users report feeling differences in energy and light tolerance within weeks. Vitamin D levels can be measured through blood testing if you want objective confirmation over time.
How far should I stand away from the panel?
Stand 24 inches away.
All recommended exposure times are based on a 24-inch distance from the panel, calculated according to your Fitzpatrick skin type. Standing closer increases the dose, and standing farther away decreases it. Follow the time settings provided in the manual for safe and effective use.
How often should I use the Sunniva panel?
Most users begin with 2 to 3 sessions per week. Frequency can gradually increase depending on skin type, tolerance, and goals. Always follow the exposure schedule in the manual and avoid overexposure
Should I wear eye protection?
Yes. Protective eyewear is recommended during UV sessions. Even though exposure times are short, UV light should not be directed into the eyes.
Can I use the red and NIR light without UV?
Yes. The red and near infrared wavelengths can be used independently of UV if you prefer to focus on recovery, circulation, or skin support without Vitamin D stimulation
Yes. The red and near infrared wavelengths can be used independently of UV if you prefer to focus on recovery, circulation, or skin support without Vitamin D stimulation
Can I use sunscreen while using the panel?
No. Sunscreen blocks UVB and would prevent Vitamin D production. The panel is designed for short, controlled exposures without sunscreen.
Yes, but exposure times should be shorter. Follow the schedule for your Fitzpatrick skin type and increase cautiously.
Can I use the panel year round?
Yes. Many users incorporate the panel during winter months or periods of limited sunlight, but it can be used year round as part of a balanced light routine.
Yes, but exposure times should be shorter. Follow the schedule for your Fitzpatrick skin type and increase cautiously.
Irradiance
How Quickly Does Your Skin Make Vitamin D?
It happens fast.
Vitamin D production in the skin happens surprisingly fast, long before any risk of sunburn or skin damage begins. Your skin starts producing vitamin D within seconds of UVB exposure, and research shows that most of the total vitamin D you can make during a session occurs well before you reach 1 MED (Minimal Erythemal Dose, the point where the skin begins to redden).
In other words: vitamin D is made early, safely, and efficiently at sub-erythemal doses.
The risk of harm only rises after you exceed your personal MED.
Your MED varies depending on skin tone, age, skin thickness, and prior sun exposure, but across all peer-reviewed studies by Dr. Michael Holick and others, one finding is consistent:
The majority of vitamin D synthesis (60–90%) occurs in the first 0.2–0.5 MED, well before sunburn is possible.
What should I do if my skin becomes red after a session?
You likely exceeded the recommended UV dose.
Overexposure occurs when you go beyond your personal 1 MED threshold. Always stay below 1 MED and follow the exposure guidelines provided in the manual.
Do not use the panel again until your skin has fully returned to its normal color, which typically takes a few days. For your next session, reduce the exposure time so your skin receives a lower dose.
If you developed a true sunburn, which usually occurs around 2–3 MED, consult a medical professional for proper evaluation and care.
This response is similar to what happens when you spend too much time in natural sunlight and experience a sunburn.
How do I know I am receiving the correct dose?
Follow the recommended distance and exposure schedule in the manual. The combination of fixed distance and timed sessions ensures consistent energy delivery.
Can the panel give you a tan?
You may notice a very gradual, natural darkening of the skin over time, but the panel is not designed as a tanning device. Any change in skin tone is a secondary effect of UV wavelengths that support vitamin D production and normal melanin activity. Increased melanin response simply indicates that the skin is responding as it would to natural sunlight.
Does distance affect irradiance?
Yes. Irradiance decreases as you move farther away from the panel. That is why we recommend standing 24 inches away. This distance is built into the exposure schedule to ensure you receive the intended dose safely and consistently.
Why use a UVB light device to create vitamin D instead of taking vitamin D supplements?
UVB light allows the body to produce vitamin D naturally in the skin, where it is regulated by built-in biological feedback mechanisms. This process helps prevent excessive production and activates related pathways involved in skin and immune function. Supplements provide vitamin D through digestion and metabolism, which bypasses the skin’s natural regulatory step and does not engage the same UV-driven biological responses.
What should I do if my skin becomes red after a session?
You likely exceeded the recommended UV dose.
Overexposure occurs when you go beyond your personal 1 MED threshold. Always stay below 1 MED and follow the exposure guidelines provided in the manual.
Do not use the panel again until your skin has fully returned to its normal color, which typically takes a few days. For your next session, reduce the exposure time so your skin receives a lower dose.
If you developed a true sunburn, which usually occurs around 2–3 MED, consult a medical professional for proper evaluation and care.
This response is similar to what happens when you spend too much time in natural sunlight and experience a sunburn.
General
Why does a UV light panel cost so much more than a red light therapy panel?
UV panels are significantly more expensive because UVB LEDs use costly materials like Aluminum Gallium Nitride and have extremely low energy efficiency, often converting less than 10% of power into light. This requires high-end thermal management to handle excess heat and precision engineering to ensure safety. For example, the Sunniva Aurora Pro justifies its premium price by utilizing 150 high-quality UV LEDs, providing a much higher density of expensive components compared to a standard red light panel.
Why are there no lenses in the Sunniva Aurora light panel like in other red light PBM panels?
Most red light therapy panels use glass or acrylic lenses to focus red and near infrared light. However, those materials block or significantly reduce UVB wavelengths, which are essential for natural Vitamin D production. Standard glass blocks nearly all UVB below about 315 nm.
The Sunniva Aurora is designed without traditional lens covers over the UV LEDs so that biologically active UVB can reach the skin effectively. This preserves the panel’s core function of safe, controlled Vitamin D stimulation while still delivering red and near infrared benefits.
Why does a UV light panel cost so much more than a red light therapy panel?
UV panels are significantly more expensive because UVB LEDs use costly materials like Aluminum Gallium Nitride and have extremely low energy efficiency, often converting less than 10% of power into light. This requires high-end thermal management to handle excess heat and precision engineering to ensure safety. For example, the Sunniva Aurora Pro justifies its premium price by utilizing 150 high-quality UV LEDs, providing a much higher density of expensive components compared to a standard red light panel.
Can multiple people in a household use the panel?
Yes. Each person should follow the exposure schedule appropriate for their individual skin type.
