Nail Drying UV Lamps Linked to Skin Cancer: Study

Ultra-violet lamps used in salons and spas to dry nails can hike up the risk of skin cancer, according to a study.
Tanning salons use both UV -A and UV-B lights that can damage skin cells leading to melanoma- a deadliest form of skin cancer. A recent research led by Lyndsay Shipp from the department of dermatology at Georgia Regents University, in Augusta, found that getting nail spas and manicures regularly exposes the skin to UV-A light from nail dryers, which can be carcinogenic.
They examined 17 types of nail drying lamps in 16 nail salons and observed that danger caused by the exposure of the UV-A light was dependant on positioning of the device and also the hands. The amount of UV-A light production, wattage and intensity of its radiance varied in all lamps.
Exposure from a single session of nail drying is not harmful. Furthermore, they noted repeated use of these devices also does not heighten the risk of carcinogenesis but, in their past trials they identified a few cases of non-melanoma cancers on hands by the use of UV nail lamps.
"Considering the low UV-A energy exposure in an average manicure visit, multiple visits would be required to reach the threshold for potential DNA damage," the authors said in the study reports.
The study strongly recommends people to use sunscreen or UV protective gloves while availing nail treatments to ward off early aging and skin damage.
"There is little to no regulation on the manufacturing of these nail lamps. Individuals utilizing these lamps in salons have no way of knowing just how much UV exposure their skin is receiving upon each manicure. What this article addresses is the lack of regulation of these lamps, leading to potentially varied malignancy risk from lamp to lamp and salon to salon," said Chris Adigun, co-author and assistant professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City, reports the Health Day.
The authors believe their findings will make people aware of the potential risks they are exposed to in daily lives and also educate salon owners to monitor the use of these devices.
More information is available online in the JAMA Dermatology.
May 03, 2014 06:25 AM EDT