QuestionWhen 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.
AnswerThis 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.
