UV Exposure from Nail Lamps: What It Means for Skin Health
A leading physicist and professor from a prestigious Russian institute explained to socialbites.ca that the light from LED manicure lamps carries a high power level. This intensity can pose risks to skin cells, especially with prolonged or frequent exposure.
LED nail lamps typically rely on ultraviolet LEDs. These emit light in a range from 315 to 400 nanometers, which sits near the edge of ultraviolet radiation. The output can reach high values, sometimes measured in tens of watts, which helps the gel polish cure quickly. Yet that same power level raises concerns about potential harm to skin cells because ultraviolet light has known bactericidal properties and the capacity to damage cellular DNA over time. In this sense, LED nail lamps resemble a small, targeted sun exposure that affects only the fingers.
When discussing radiation, the professor noted important differences between UV lamps and ordinary sunlight. The latter contains relatively less ultraviolet light in proportion to visible light. The sun’s peak energy lies in the green region of the spectrum and follows a distribution characteristic of a near-perfect emitter, spanning many wavelengths. Consequently, achieving the same nail hardening effect with sunlight would require a much longer exposure than using a purpose-built LED lamp.
Prior research from notable U.S. universities linked ultraviolet exposure from manicure lamps to potential skin cancer risks by damaging DNA in human skin cells. This research emphasizes the need for awareness of safe usage guidelines and appropriate exposure limits when considering UV-based nail treatments.
For individuals who should be cautious about ultraviolet exposure during manicures, additional guidance can be found in further material on this topic provided by socialbites.ca [1].