Exposureto ultraviolet radiation is known to cause skin damage, including skin cancer. Now, new research has raised questions about the safety of nail dryers, which use UV light to dry and cure gel nail polish. The study shows long wavelengths of ultraviolet light (UVA) from UV nail dryers can damage DNA and cause mutations in
LEDlamps emit a specific wavelength of UV light that is optimal for curing gel nails. This makes LED lamps more efficient than UV lamps. As a result, LED lamps cure gel nails faster than UV lamps. LED nail lamps also have a longer lifespan than UV lamps. This is because the bulbs in an LED lamp do not burn out as quickly as those in UVlamps are not recommended for Polygel nails due to their slow cure time, risk of not curing properly, and harmful radiation emitted. LED lamps are the way to go, with safe, non-cancerous rays strong enough to penetrate all the way into the middle of the nail for a long-lasting, glamorous manicure. SmallUV lamps are also used in nail salons (or at home) to dry some types of nail polish. These lamps give off UVA rays. The amount given off is much lower than from tanning beds, and the risk of skin cancer from these lamps is thought to be low. Still, to be safe, some expert groups recommend applying sunscreen to the hands before using oneIn2010–2011, over 87% of nail salons reported using a UV light (2010–2011, Industry Statistics). Patrons typically receive UV nail lamp services 1–4 times monthly for durations of 6–10 minutes (. ). Such repeated exposure to UVR from nail lamps raises concern regarding users’ possible skin cancer risk.