Should you wear goggles?

[Mike T]

I want to use a red led light around my whole face and above/below my eyebrows. Is it safe to use without goggles?

Also I have heard of ppl complaining of visible veins in the face after red light use. I assume this is because the red light gets rid of the diffuse redness and then the vins stand out. I don't want this to happn under my eyelids were the skin is thin and blue veins can be seen already if I stretch the skin there

I am planning to buy many red led lights and make my own led lamp instead of paying for big money for a commercial one

thanks

[Lisamouries]

Hi Whyme.
You should definitely wear goggles. Your eyelids are not enough to protect your eyes from the red light.

I know that someone here built their own lamp and had even written a DIY instruction but I can't find it. Let me search...

Sadly the link for DIY Instructions for RLT seems not to be working. Maybe it was deleted? I'll have to come back to you later.

[GJ*]

I don't wear goggles. Many don't. Some have seen improvements in their ocular symptoms. If I shut my eyes it's not through caution or fear but because it's more relaxing.

A personal choice, however.

[Mike T]

Thanks

I think making the lamp wont be too bad. I will just get heaps (150 in clusters of say 10) red LED lights, approx. wavelength around 670nm and arrange them in a semi-ciruclar shape with 30-45 degrees viewing angle. I am an engineer so hopefully i can work this out.

I have seen pictures of people using it on the internet without goggles. Personally i dont believe the LED lights produce sufficient intensity to damage the eye however this being said i do believe that with regular use (every other day) and time (up to an hr) i plan to use it there may be some effects.

I will try and find or make goggles to just cover my eyes.

[Lisamouries]

Here are the instructions for a homemade RLT box.
http://www.rosaceagroup.org/The_Rosacea ... stcount=11

Good luck and please send pics of your contraption once you're done.

[Mike T]

Thanks heaps that's very detailed and will help me and others tryig to make there own setup alot. Anyone should be able to give it a go.

Seems like a pretty large setup though. I may try and make it a bit more compact.

Will most linley be while before I get the stuff ordered and built

Thanks again

[Mike T]

I bought soldering station today from Dicksmith= $50 (on special from $70)

I asked about there red leds they made me a deal for 1000 at 0.15c each which is good. They had 660nm wavlength but the led covering was red plastic not white like iowaDavid's one and it wasn't that bright when i tested it. I think i will pay a bit extra and get the exact ones suggested in the post as i know they worked for david.. i hate waiting for postage.

[Mike T]

If you would like to use a different array i.e less or more leds the website below will calculate the magnitude of your resistor needed and number of leds in a row given voltage source, forward voltage of LED, forward current and number of LEDS you want to use (all these are avaiable from the manufacture specs..if not ask them)

http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz