QuestionAny concerns about the use of UV light to "dry" gel nails? We're told that UV light is bad for our skin, what about the skin on my hands?
AnswerA few months ago I was asked a very similar question regarding the potentially damaging effects of UV lamps used in nail salons. I admit, I had to think hard and do a little research in order to get the info to back up what I already knew...but sometimes there's a difference between knowing something and being able to explain it.
Essentially yes. UV light has some negative effects on skin. It also has some very positive effects, so it becomes very important to be able to differentiate between exposure and overexposure so that you can find the right balance between enough and too much.
Most glass does not filter out UVA rays (the same ones that are used in those gel lamps) and most sunblock lotions also don't effectively filter out UVA. This means that everytime you are exposed to natural light, your skin is being hit by UVA radiation. The most interesting factoid I encountered while researching this issue the first time I addressed it was that your hands are exposed to more UVA radiation while they are on the steering wheel of your car while driving on a sunny day than when you are drying your polish or gel nails. I thought this was a very good comparison that should help put things in perspective for anyone who is worried about uv lamps in salons.
Truth is, our lamps are very low wattage, and there's just not enough exposure to worry about for the average person. There are, of course, people who are allergic to sunlight who should be concerned with any UV rays, but that's a rare condition.
Below I have copy and pasted the previous question and the answer I gave for it, I hope this has helped assuage any fears you might have.
"When I go to the nail salon these days they always use one of those UV drying lights to speed up the drying of my nails. Doesn't all UV light cause skin damage? I know my dermatologist ulways tells me to wear broad spectum SPF to protect against UV rays."
Answer: This is, indeed, a tricky question! While technically, yes, all UV rays cause skin damage... there's a very real need to differentiate between exposure vs OVERexposure.
The UV lights used for polish drying and gel curing in nail salons use only UVA rays. UVA are the longest of the UV waves, ranging in the 320-400 nanometer range, and are the same ultra violet rays responsible for causing most tanning. While they are largely considered the least damaging to skin, they are by no means non-damaging, and your dermatologist is correct in specifying a "broad-spectrum" sunscreen, as many sunscreens on the market are ineffective at absorbing UVA rays. (Although the FDA is looking at new regulations that would require sun protection products to adopt a 4 star rating system to rate UVA protection factors which, if adopted, looks like it'll appear on packaging in 2009.)
Yes, our UV lamps are exposing you to skin-damaging UVA rays. BUT, you are being exposed to approximately 3 to 10 watts of UVA light for a few minutes once every other week when you have your nails done. This is far less UV exposure than you get just from having your hands on your steering wheel while driving on a sunny day. (since UVA rays are not effectively filtered by glass either!)
So, unless you are one of those rare people who suffer from an allergy to sunlight, you don't need to fear the minimal amount of UV exposure you receive from the UV light at the nail salon.
