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Small risk for skin cancer determined in nail salon drying lamps
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The risk for skin cancer from UVA light in drying lamps in nail salons is small, according to recent study results.
Researchers in Georgia studied 17 light sources at 16 commercial nail salons to evaluate unweighted UVA and UVB irradiance. Median irradiance was compared with an energy density of UVA shown to cause DNA damage.
The researchers used a UVA/UVB light meter, which primarily measured the spectrum from 280 to 400 nm, to test the drying lamps. Median irradiance was measured at five different positions in each device to simulate potential hand positions of a salon client. Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance on Spearman rank coefficients was conducted.
The light sources in each device varied by wattage, brand and the number of bulbs.
Higher UVA irradiance emitted correlated with higher-wattage devices. The researchers measured the energy density based on the median UVA irradiance emitted. When the numbers were compared with 60 J/cm2, the energy density shown to cause DNA damage in UVA-irradiated keratinocytes, “we showed that longer exposure times led to increased potential for cutaneous damage,” they reported.
“We found notable differences in UVA irradiances among the 17 drying devices tested,” the researchers concluded. “The UVA irradiance in different areas of potential hand placement within drying devices has not been measured to determine relative homogeneity. This study demonstrated that the irradiance values were not normally distributed within each light device.
“Considering the low UVA energy exposure in an average manicure visit, multiple visits would be required to reach the threshold for potential DNA damage. … Even with numerous exposures, the risk for carcinogenesis remains small. We concur with previous authors in recommending use of physical blocking sunscreens or UVA protective gloves to limit the risk of carcinogenesis and photoaging.”
Disclosure: The researchers reported no relevant financial disclosures.
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