Can gentle UVB light naturally boost vitamin D levels indoors? That too similar to natural sunlight, without the risk of harsh UV rays overexposure? Girish K Chawla from Signify tells EFY’s Nidhi Agarwal how.
Q. Why do we need a ultraviolet B (UVB)-based system, and what makes your product special?
A. Many people do not get enough sunlight due to indoor lifestyles, city living, or long winters, which often leads to low vitamin D levels. This is a common issue, affecting around 50 per cent of the global population and impacting overall health. A UVB-based system supports your body’s natural vitamin D production by providing a safe way to get UVB light indoors.
What makes our UVB product special is its gentle, controlled dose of UVB light. It is similar to the small amount you would get from a quick walk in the midday sun. This low-intensity approach has been tested in research and shown to be both safe and effective for daily use. With helpful features like a proximity sensor and an eight-hour timer, Philips VitaUp is a simple, convenient tool to help improve vitamin D levels and support your overall wellness.
Q. How are UVB and ultraviolet C (UVC) different in wavelength, skin depth, uses, and benefits?
A. UV light comes in different types, each with different effects. In our product we use UVB light (290–33nm), which helps the skin make Vitamin D and supports overall well-being. This light reaches the outer skin layers to start this process.
On the other hand, UVC light (100–280nm) is used to kill germs in places like hospitals, but it does not help with Vitamin D because it does not go deep into the skin. That is why we use only UVB light—to give health benefits safely, without the risks of UVC.
Q. Why is UVB preferred over UVC for personal wellness and daily health use?
A. For health and wellness, UVB light is better than UVC. UVB helps your body make Vitamin D, which is important for staying healthy. UVB devices give a safe and gentle amount of UVB light for this purpose. UVC is good for killing germs on surfaces and in the air, but it can harm your skin and is not safe for direct use. That is why UVB products are a safer and better choice for personal wellness.
UVB light helps your body make Vitamin D, unlike UVC, which is mostly used to kill germs. One such example is the Philips VitaUp that uses a safe, low level of UVB light indoors to help your skin produce Vitamin D. This is especially helpful if you do not get enough sunlight, and it lowers the risk of getting too much UV exposure.
Q. Which industries use UVB the most, and why?
A. Industries like healthcare, wellness, and indoor spaces benefit a lot from UVB technology. As people care more about their health, UVB solutions are becoming more useful. UVB devices help your body make vitamin D indoors, which supports strong bones and a better mood. Places like offices, schools, and gyms can also use this technology to help people feel and work better. That is why UVB products are likely to keep growing and making a difference.
Q. How are UVB and UVC safety rules different?
A. UVB and UVC light need different safety rules because they affect the body in different ways. UVB can help when used in small, controlled amounts. For example, our UVB product gives off a low level of UVB light to support your health and mood. It has safety features like a sensor and an 8-hour timer to prevent too much exposure, making it safe and easy to use every day.
UVC, however, is much stronger and can harm your skin and eyes. That is why it is only used in empty spaces with strong safety controls. This shows the big difference: UVB can be safely used for health with the right design, while UVC needs strict safety steps.
Q. What are the main challenges in designing a UVB system that gives off gentle light for a long time, and how do you fix them?
A. Building UVB systems can be tricky. They need to stay safe, work well for a long time, manage heat, and fit into indoor spaces. A major challenge is heat—UVB lights can get hot, reducing performance and lifespan. We use smart heat protection to keep the system safe and reliable over time.
The system must also work with modern lighting controls. We use a standard design (Zhaga light engine interface specification – modular (LEX-M)) compatible with digital addressable lighting interface (DALI), MasterConnect, and sensor network system (SNS) accessories. Built-in checks track usage and detect issues early.
It is also challenging to maintain a steady, low level of UVB without overheating. The amount of UVB must be carefully controlled, and the device components must be durable to ensure long-term performance.
We solve these issues through clever design and technology: advanced heat control keeps UVB output stable; smart features monitor usage and detect faults; and a proximity sensor adjusts UVB levels based on distance, making the device safe and user-specific.
Q. How do you design a proximity sensor to keep UVB levels safe outside?
A. We designed it to be safe and easy to use. It has smart features like a sensor that knows how close you are, so it can lower or stop the UVB light if you are too near. This keeps the UVB exposure safe and within healthy limits. It also works with smart lighting systems to adjust the UVB light based on where you are and the room’s conditions. The system checks itself for issues and tracks how long it runs to avoid giving too much UVB. It also fits easily with other Philips accessories. All these features help make sure you get enough vitamin D safely, without the risks of too much UVB.
Q. What is important when making a UVB device for people to use?
A. To make a UVB device that is safe and easy for people to use at home, it needs to work well without using too much power and must be simple to use. We use soft, narrow-band UVB light that is safe for indoor use and controls how much you get. A timer, distance sensor, and smart light connection make it easy to use every day. Built-in safety features like heat control and error checks help keep it safe and reliable over time.
Q. What new materials or light tech made low UVB devices possible?
A. Thanks to new light technology and smart materials, devices can safely give off low, controlled UVB light, similar to sunlight, to help the body make vitamin D. The special UVB light is gentle, precise, and avoids harmful rays. The device also stays cool and lasts longer thanks to heat-safe materials. It fits with modern lighting setups, works with smart controls, and can even check itself for problems.
Q. How can better sensors make UVB devices safer and work better?
A. New sensor technology could make UVB devices even safer and more effective. We already use a proximity sensor and an 8-hour timer to help you use it safely indoors. In the future, better sensors—like ones that detect room light—could help us adjust its UVB light automatically, making it work even better for your needs.
Q. What makes it hard to sell UVB products?
A. It is important that products follow health and safety rules, especially those for medical devices and radiation. People also need to understand the difference between safe low-level UVB use and the dangers of too much UV. Selling these products can be hard because research is expensive, not everyone knows about them, and some may not trust artificial UV. To reach more people, the product must also be both affordable and high quality.
Q. How can you use AI or IoT with UVB systems?
A. Using artificial intelligence (AI) and internet of things (IoT) with UVB systems can make them safer, smarter, and more personal. AI can adjust how long you use the UVB light based on your skin, health, and vitamin D levels. IoT lets you control and check the system from your phone, even at home or work. The system can learn your habits and suggest the best times to use it, while avoiding too much exposure. It can also track your vitamin D levels and share the info with your doctor if needed.
Q. What new UVB designs will help in future industries?
A. New design trends will shape how UVB systems are used in the future. Smaller, portable devices could make personal wellness easier, even allowing for wearable UVB tools. With apps and sensors, people could get UVB doses that match their own needs, with smart systems adjusting treatment in real time.
Q. How will smaller and smarter tech change UVB product design?
A. Smaller and more advanced UVB technology is set to change how UVB-based products are made and used. Devices will become easier to carry and use, fitting more naturally into everyday life, even as wearable gadgets. These smaller devices will also look better and be more comfortable to use. They can target specific parts of the body, making treatment more precise. Plus, by connecting with other technologies like smartwatches or home systems, they can offer personalised treatment, track progress, and adjust as needed. In the end, these improvements will make UVB therapy more useful, convenient, and available to more people.
