The next time you get the urge to get those nails done you might want to think twice as new research reveals the ultra violet lamps used to dry a newly-polished set of nails could pose a potential skin cancer risk.
The study, conducted by researchers at Georgia Regents University, states the use of higher-wattage UV lamps means more UV-A radiation is being released and multiple visits for manicures involving lamp time could pose potential DNA damage and a higher risk of skin cancer.
Yet no need to panic if you're a habitual manicure fiend.
"Our data suggest that, even with numerous exposures, the risk for skin cancer, remains small," said Dr. Lyndsay R. Shipp, a fourth-year dermatology resident, and one of the study's authors.
"That said, we concur with previous authors in recommending use of physical blocking sunscreens or UV-A protective gloves to limit the risk of skin cancer and photo aging."
The study comes on the heel of another skin cancer research effort that revealed young skin cancer survivors may not be completely in the clear of developing skin cancer again in the future. That study stressed the common advice of early screenings.
The nail salon light study, published in the April edition of JAMA Dermatology, involved using 17 light units from 16 salons and a full spectrum of bulbs and measurement of wattage emitted by each device.
The study states that the quality of lights used in a salon play a role, as there are notable differences in the level of UVA rays.
If you're not comfortable asking the salon owner where they got their lamps from, the simplest approach to avoiding any possible DNA damage or skin cancer risk is to not dry nails under such lamps.
