beware of certain UV lamps in nail salons

Blue light lamps, which speed up the drying of the varnish, can be dangerous. In particular for the “semi-permanent”, a varnish which has the advantage of lasting longer but which requires the application of several layers and gels which harden under the effect of this special light. The problem is that these lamps emit UVA rays, which are known to promote skin aging and certain cancers.

The suspicion has existed for more than ten years, and an American study published this year in the journal Nature confirmed, by experiments on animal and human skin cells, this carcinogenic risk. The Academy of Medicine calls for additional epidemiological studies and better supervision of the use of these lamps in manicure salons and nail salons. A summary of several studies published last year shows that skin cancers appear in 3% of semi-permanent varnish users. It increases when the use of these lamps begins early in life around the age of 20, when it is used regularly five to six times a year for several years, and when the users have fair skin.

Monitored artificial tanning booths

Consequently, beyond additional studies, better information for the public and professionals, the Academy of Medicine recommends the application of sunscreen to the hands 20 minutes before exposure to these UV-lamps. Led, and a census of the number of devices sold each year. Over 80% of nail salons currently report using these UV lamps.

This is reminiscent of the problems caused by UV from artificial tanning booths. Tanning booths which were responsible in the early 2000s, each year, for 350 cases of melanoma and around 70 deaths in France, according to the health watch institute. The regulations were tightened in 2016. These artificial tanning booths are now prohibited for minors, it is forbidden to charge promotional prices. Machines must be declared, checked, and users clearly informed of the risks they run.