Just How Dangerous Are UV Nail Lamps?
The risks of using ultraviolet nail lamps and what you can do to prevent them.
I used to get my nails done every two-three weeks before COVID-19 hit. Acrylics with gel paint, to be exact. It makes me feel powerful as a woman, and I very much enjoy the clicking sound when I’m typing away on a keyboard and the tapping sound on my phone.
When I first starting getting my nails done, about four years ago, I started off getting normal colour because it was cheaper than getting gel colours. Why? Because gel colours are meant to last longer, the paint doesn’t chip and is a lot quicker to dry.
However, when I put my fingers under the ultraviolet (UV) lamp, I do have a niggling concern at the back of my mind — just how dangerous are these lamps? How much damage are they doing to my skin? They might be lamps for professional use, but ultraviolet light is still ultraviolet light.
“Higher-energy UV rays are a form of ionizing radiation. This means they have enough energy to remove an electron from (ionize) an atom or molecule. Ionizing radiation can damage the DNA (genes) in cells, which in turn may lead to cancer. But even the highest-energy UV rays don’t have enough energy to penetrate deeply into the body, so their main effect is on the skin.” — American Cancer…
