Reports from findings in a recent study says that UV lamps used for curing acrylic and gel nail care products are safe when used as directed. This study contradicts recent Internet stories and media coverage suggesting such lamps may be unsafe. Further, the study also challenges a recent report that improperly compares nail lamps to full-body tanning beds, based on wattage, and suggests that UVA exposure levels from UV nail lamps may be unsafe. To investigate these matters, a study recently engaged Lighting Sciences, Inc. to test the level of UVA and UVB light emitted by UV nail lamps. Lighting Sciences, a fully-equipped, independent scientific testing laboratory specializing in the development and testing of illumination devices, including those that emit UV light, was asked to use standard scientific protocols to test hand exposure from UV nail lamps and compare such exposure to natural sunlight exposure. The findings of Lighting Sciences, combined with assessments from the nail industry's leading scientists, clearly demonstrate that UV nail lamps are safe when used as directed and that the media reports and the suggestions are misleading.
The erroneous assumption is that the concentration of light produced by UV nail lamps is similar to that of tanning beds. In reality, UV nail lTo investigate the Internet and media stories , the NMC asked Lighting Sciences to test the UV output of two UV nail lamps, one with four 9-watt UV bulbs, and the other with two 9-watt UV bulbs. These two UV nail lamps were selected based on a common spectrum of UV exposure and popularity in nail salons. UV detectors were placed where the customer would place her hands in the lamp. The detectors measured the UV-A and UV-B light emitted from each nail lamp. The same UV detectors were also used to measure the UV-A and UV-B rays found in natural sunlight. The analysis also took into account that a typical client visits a salon twice a month for nail maintenance, resulting in a maximum of 6-10 minutes of UV exposure per visit.
Based on these measurements, the Lighting Sciences data directly challenge the internet and media stories , "Lighting Sciences found the UV-B output was less than amounts found in natural sunlight. UV nail lamps have internal filters that remove most of the UV-B rays. This minimal UV-B exposure is equal to only 26 seconds of sunlight exposure each day between nail appointments." The Lighting Sciences results also showed that the UV-A rays found in nail lamps were low and equal to spending approximately two (2) minutes in the sun each day between appointments. These findings make clear that nail salon clients are more likely to be exposed to UV in day-to-day activities, such as taking a walk or driving a car, than by artificial nail services. Although not necessary, if nail clients are concerned with UV exposure, a small white cloth can be placed over the hands while using the nail lamp or sunscreen can be applied to the skin (not the nails).UV lamps emit much lower concentrations.
