- Lights that are labeled "full spectrum" are supposed to emit light that is similar to sunlight, although this is not a scientific term and results may vary. While these lights emit light from across the spectrum, the light is not emitted evenly. For example, light in the visible range will be higher than in the ultraviolet range, making full-spectrum lights not all that different than standard lights.
- Full-spectrum lights are often used in gardening because they emulate natural light. They can be used to grow plants indoors as well as outdoors during the winter months, giving growers a year-round harvest.
- Art studios commonly feature full-spectrum lights where direct sunlight is not available. At night or in rooms not facing the sun, artists paint in this light to give them the best representation of the colors' true hues so they can be displayed accurately at home or in an art gallery. Paint mixers also use these lights to ensure they are mixing accurate colors.
- Full-spectrum lights also have their psychological applications. Seasonal affective disorder often strikes individuals in the winter when sunlight is limited. Treatments include placing individual in a box with full-spectrum lights.
- One of the main disadvantages of full-spectrum lights is the emission of ultraviolet light. While UV rays are known to damage skin and eyes, the UV light emitted from such lamps is so low that its health effects are negligible. UV lights, however, can damage the resilience of artworks such as watercolors and historic artifacts. Another disadvantage is cost. Full-spectrum lights are much more expensive than standard lights, and sometimes their benefits do not make up for the cost.
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