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    Gel nail lamps: are they safe?

    Updated:27 Apr 2016 3:31 PM | Posted by
    bh's Carli Alman's picture
    bh's Carli Alman
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    Well, in case you missed it, gel manicures have copped a bit of a bad rap lately. More specifically, the lamps used in setting the gel.

    There have been recent studies (like the one featured in JAMA Dermatology, a medical journal published by the American Medical Association) that claim that exposure to the UV light in the lamp can lead to an increased risk of skin cancer. Yep, the big ‘C’. We love a good gel manicure, but we’re also very UV-conscious about our skin, so we decided to take a deep breath and a big step back and see what some of the experts had to say about the issue.

    Doug Schoon, Chief Scientific Advisor at CND, Paul Bryson, Director of R&D at OPI Products, and Jim McConnell, President of McConnell labs – all holders of degrees in chemistry and scientists in the professional nail industry – conducted their own testing of leading UV lamps in an independent lab to determine how much UVA and UVB rays they emit compared to natural sunlight.

    I’ll try to not get too technical here, but basically they conducted their tests using lamps designed to utilise four 9-watt UV bulbs and ones designed to utilise two 9-watt UV bulbs. They did this to determine how exposures would vary across the range of UV nail lamps used in the majority of salons and at-home kits.

    So what did they find? Firstly, that the amount of UVB rays to which skin is exposed to is roughly equal to what it’d be exposed to if someone spent an extra 17 to 26 seconds in the sunlight each day of the two weeks between gel manicures. Secondly, they also found that the UVA exposure was equivalent to spending an extra 1.5 to 2.7 minutes in sunlight in the same two-week period. They concluded that UV nail lamps are safe when used as directed and in brief exposures (as usually happens when getting a gel manicure) and that hands are actually more likely to be exposed to more UV light while driving during the day than from the UV lamps used in setting gel nails.

    So there you have it – it seems like perhaps things weren’t as bad as some of the headlines suggested. If you’re still concerned but don’t want to give up your gel manicures there are extra safety measures you can take.

    It’s a good idea to apply a sunscreen with high SPF before getting your nails done and to wear white, fingerless cloth gloves. It also pays to know what kind of machine is being used. For example, Bio Sculpture Gel’s lamps have been tested by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety agency and it was found that, when used as directed, the lamps posed no risk to consumers. If you’re unsure if the lamps at your salon meet safety-testing requirements, you can call in advance to ask.

    Are you concerned about getting a gel manicure? Have you stopped getting a gel manicure since hearing the claims that the lamps can increase skin damage?

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    Sweety7 20 Dec 2017 11:14 AM

    Interesting article... always good to know such facts.

    itslinda 5 Apr 2016 8:43 AM

    great article

    MarinaS 7 Mar 2016 9:30 AM

    Very informative article. Only now I think how it is difficult to keep our nails beautiful and tidy without harm . In this article they say that lamps can be hazardous, and it ( https://pinkycloud.com/shellac-for-nails-advantages-and-disadvantages ) says that Shellac can also hurt (((

    duality 24 Mar 2016 9:26 PM

    Yes I have read many articles like that too, don't think I would get them due to,that and the hygiene I issues I have with salons lol

    Aleisharobinson_ 15 Dec 2015 1:41 PM

    im so tempted to buy!

    sandyrob 26 Mar 2017 3:01 PM

    I have the orly set and it is great just need to get myself some me time to use it more often

    Mezzbeth21 2 Jun 2015 2:22 PM

    I personally believe that we worry WAY too much about UV rays, etc. None of my family is scared to take a nice long bath in the sun and they all look amazing and have never had skin cancer. My aunts and uncles who are all 50+ have amazing complexions and have never had to be treated for skin cancer. It could be just a family thing, but I never worry about the sun, and I will especially NOT worry about 2 minutes of extra sunlight on my hands. However, I do not judge any one on here who likes to be extra careful with UV rays and all that. :)

    duality 24 Mar 2016 9:28 PM

    I think most of the concern comes from the staff who are exposed every day to hours on end. Having them infrequently would be OK, just long term exposure would be the issue.

    Gilded 10 Apr 2015 11:02 AM

    Oh no aging from the sun is a no no. I'm staying away from this.

    Ajax 25 Jan 2015 8:23 PM

    I love my UV gel lamp! Might think about the sunscreen though, I never thought about it before.

    in-wonderland 10 Dec 2014 6:36 AM

    It would be fine if used in moderation. Even though the UV lamps alone may be harmless, your exposure to UV increases even more if you use it

    Nicole408 15 Nov 2014 3:19 PM

    great article and i learn more

    PrettyBrownEyes 9 Nov 2014 5:27 AM

    I feel like there's always something bad when a product comes out .i do my on gel nails always ! It's the best way

    Kitty33 7 Nov 2014 5:55 AM

    I bought a gel kit recently and ended up sending it back. Not because of the fear of cancer from the lamp but because it took so long to take the polish off. It's good to know that the lamps are not overly dangerous and it's a good reminder to slip slop and slap before you go out driving and running errands.

    Goldcat 20 Oct 2014 9:55 AM

    Quite a controversial subject this is.

    june 7 Oct 2014 8:47 AM

    I did stop this as I was worried about cancer but this article has set my mind at ease and I shall go back to doing this and will ponder whether to use white fingerless gloves. Great article.

    emily612 5 Oct 2014 1:10 AM

    hmmm....

    Growing old 1 Oct 2014 12:44 AM

    Tbh it did stop me buying a DIY home kit when this came out. Makes sense to wear some sunscreen but seeing as it's only like getting a little incidental sun exposure this has reassured me.. Even tho their are amazing polishes out now that look like gel without any issues and I'm sure more and more brands will release these types!

    Kwin80 27 Sep 2014 11:43 PM

    You can always wear tip less gloves which are sold on many websites. I bought a lamp to use at home so I could use gel polish as I wanted. I could feel the heat right through the nail and felt uncomfortable continuing to use it. I have never had the same feeling at the salon by the way.

    J619 26 Sep 2014 8:50 AM

    It would be good to see testing results for the specific home models. Wonder if they vary much?

    mlleruby 29 Aug 2014 7:18 AM

    I was wondering about increased risk of skin cancer so thank you for this update!

    Feliciabardan 27 Aug 2014 12:55 PM

    I've been using LED lamps for years and haven't really noticed anything, not even tanned skin! But then again could you notice damage with the naked eye?

    Tiarna203 15 Aug 2014 1:04 AM

    I always knew the UV would effect people some how, BUT I'm happy to hear that it's safe! :D

    Wendy1965 13 Aug 2014 9:54 AM

    I wanted to try one of these but all the bad press these kits have been getting not game enough to try. After reading this it makes me feel like trying them now!

    Queen_Heidi_15 21 Jun 2014 8:20 AM

    Good to know!! Will keep at back of my mind

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