Think the greatest danger at the nail salon is breathing in all those fumes? Well, here's something you may not have thought to worry about ... yet. Nail salon drying lamps could increase your skin cancer risk. Great! I guess I won't feel so badly about never, ever having time to get a manicure.
You know those lamps I'm talking about, the ones that help dry and cure your nail polish? A study from the Georgia Regents University in Augusta looked at how much ultraviolet radiation those things emit. (This is why we need women in science!) (I'm joking.) (Not really.) And here's the scary thing: Some lamps emit "barely" any UV radiation and others emit "significant" radiation -- and there's really no way for employees to tell.
But don't worry too much. Dr. Lindsay R. Shipp says the risk from multiple manicures is small. If you're worried, though, there are some precautions you can take.
Dr. Shipp admits she exposes herself to nail salon lamps every couple of months. She compares the radiation to the same you get from riding in a car. But those of you who get gel nails are under those lamps a little longer.
1. Skip the lotion step and instead apply sunscreen. I'm thinking, though, since you should apply sunscreen 30 minutes before exposure, this might make for a very long manicure.
2. Wear UV-protective gloves with just the tips cut off. I like this option better, though it means you'll always have to remember to bring your nail salon gloves.
3. If you're getting a regular polish, not a gel treatment, consider using fans or just air-drying instead.
Have you ever wondered about the UV radiation from drying lamps when you get a manicure?
Image via Ashley MacKinnon/Flickr