Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.
File this one under the department of "Oh No, Yikes": Those ultraviolet light nail-drying lamps utilized by many nail salons emit radiation that could increase your risk of skin cancer, reports the New York Times. The lamps use UVA light—the same light emitted by tanning beds, which we all know are basically skin cancer pods—to dry and harden nail polish and gels.
Rumors have circulated for years about the possible damage these lamps have been doing to your precious hand skin. But a new study contributes more evidence of the risk. Unfortunately, it varies widely depending on the amount of UVA light emitted during standard drying times. "There is a vast range in the amount of light coming out of these devices," said the study's lead author, Dr. Lyndsay R. Shipp, remarking that UV exposure ranged from "barely" to "significant." Clients getting gel manicures are exposed to the most light, as gels require UV to harden. Though one visit probably won't hurt you, repeated visits to the salon could be problematic. "The researchers estimated that for most of the lamps tested, eight to 14 visits over 24 to 42 months would reach the threshold for DNA damage to the skin."
· Nail Salon Lamps May Increase Skin Cancer Risk [Well]
· Lighten Up: Ten Nearly-White Pastel Nail Polishes [Racked]
Loading comments...