I think people need to worry about excessive exposure to UV in relation to skin cancer, and the exposure during a nail service is hardly excessive. Why is everyone so scared of a little UV exposure? It can be a good thing!

* Sunlight (consisting of UVA, UVB and some UVC rays) is the primary and most effective trigger to generate essential vitamin D for our bodies.

* Doctors prescribe ultraviolet therapy as a treatment for many ailments, including eczema, psoriasis and depression.

UV nail lamp exposure is considerably less intense than tanning bed exposure and you spend a fraction of the time in the UV lamp.

While you can technically argue that ANY UV light exposure is a cancer risk, the reality is that UV nail lamps pose no more of a risk than normal, limited exposure to the sun – which has yet to be considered a major risk factor in skin cancer.

Jessie Burkhardt
Director of Marketing & Communications of NSI
www.nsinails.com

When I first heard about this UV exposure from nail salon dryers I was a little worried that I had put myself in harms way after having gel nails for the past couple of years. So my solution was to go all natural. I was getting sick and tired of being tied to getting fills anyway. So I am thankful for the info. I am free!!!

not only exposure in nail salons but dental work from x rays..by the way...the smell alone from nail salons is enough to cause a person not to want to sit in that formaldehyde odor.

Or better yet, frequent a nail salon that does not use UV-light dryers. It might take some research, and a little more time and money, but it will be worth it.

Why does Jessie's post upset me? JMO - but it sounds like an unsolicted commerical for her nail company's products which include the UV machines talked about here. Look, when a Doctor perscribes something for a patient, it's for that paitent and not for eveyone. UV rays in salons are dangerous; as well as other chemicals frequently used. Many salons are like sweat shops IMO-by doing volume and not taking the time for individual care. This article a warning for consumers (maybe not all, but a majority), not an opportunity to push products - unless those products provide a solution to the nail salon UV problem.

Acrylics do not need a UV light to cure.

There is some misinformation being bandied about, both within the article and in comments. First of all, UV curing is required only for gel nails and gel topcoats, not for acrylic enhancements themselves. So ask your manicurist what the procedures you're asking for really are; she'll tell you. You could also request that a lotion with UVA/UVB protection be used, or bring your own. Secondly, the smell in a nail salon is NOT from formaldehyde; that would be illegal and is a completely different odor (think high school frog dissection smell; THAT'S formaldehyde). Thirdly, not all dryers use UV lights. In fact, there's a big difference between a dryer and a UV light that cures a gel. Often they're combined for use in one appliance, but they almost all have separate settings, so that a fan can be used alone, with a UV light, or just the UV light. So just like in a doctor's office, be your own advocate and ask questions, instead of perpetrating myths and misinformation. These jobs require a fair amount of training and state testing, and these types of myths hurt good, hardworking people.

You might want to read up on sunscreens with vitamin A in them before you slather yourself with sunscreen and sit under a UV lamp. The vitamin A and the UV light (or sunlight) combination CAUSES cancer. Whatever happened to just using your brain and going out into the sun natually and not over-doing it? Is it really so hard?

With a sample size of 2, this "study" is less credible than a rumor about flying pigs. Get the science right, people! Don't call an interview with two subjects a study!

Wow...look at all the SPAMMERS! Putting links in your message makes you a SPAMMER as you are trying to promote products/services. I do not believe a WORD of what spammers post here, nor will I ever click on their links...most of which contain viruses.

I do my own nails. No salons...no chemicals...no UV rays. It's easy, less toxic, and WAY less expensive...I save hundreds of dollars every year by caring for my own nails. Who needs salons anyway? NO ONE.

What this article neglects to also say is that half of the nail salons use a compand that is highly carancigenic it is MMA a compond used with a non canercous liquid use to fill teeth.
But used with nail set liquid is highly dangerous.
Ever wonder why your nails will not come off with Acetone?
Cuz your nail tech did not use industry safe compounds that coupled with the UV dryer = makes for big trouble.
When you go to your salon is all you smell chemicals?
If so turn around and leave - as this is the first red flag.
If you walk into a salon and only catch a faint whiff of nail chemicals then you are proabably safe but for that smell to overpower you = walk away quickly!

As my Mother suffered from skin cancer most of her life, I found Jessica Burkhardt's post particularly annoying. Her post is nothing more than SPAM, and should be removed. This article is quoting a physician, and he is a dermatologist. So, whom do you trust, the M.D. or the marketing director of some nail company?

women are vain cows, let them suffer the consequences

As a response to Otter. I agree we as women search out ways to look the best we can. But real beauty really is what we carry inside. If there is no beauty inside then it will only take a short while before outward beauty fades.

Just walking near a nail salon should be a big clue about health hazards. The smell takes your breath away. I stopped wearing nail polish years ago, and maybe will consider putting it on for a special occasion once in a while. I would think the Board of Health would be checking on these places. The CDC must have an opinion. In the meantime, think of your health. How good are you going to look if you end up with a fatal disease, but your nails look good?!?!? Just my opinion.

This is once again the media jumpin on the band wagon and telling us something causes cancer before it has been investigated thoroughly. I can assure you there are more people getting skin cancer due to sun exposure than there are people getting skin cancer due to a UV light. And as to the comment regarding the smell of nail products coming from a salon, it would be my guess that the particular salon is using an illegal product known as MMA which is methylmethacrylate acid. This product has been banned by all state board authorities in the US but is still being used by salons buying black market products. An easy way to check to see if this product is being used is to try and file it. If the salon cannot file or refuses to file except by using an electric file system (drill), it is probably MMA. Also these nails cannot be removed by soaking in acetone.

If you choose not to take any stock in what I say because I work for a nail company, that is fine and your perogative. I still feel it is my right to defend the industry that I work in and all hardworking nail technicians our there when I feel that misinformation is being perpetuated online. I also make it a point to always post my name and title, along with my company's website. Believe me, this is not spam. This is not an attempt to sell my products - in fact unless you are a licensed nail professional, you cannot buy my products.

Jessie Burkhardt
Director of Marketing & Communications for NSI
www.nsinails.com

Think about it, your hands are exposed to more natural and artificial light than any other part of your body. We rarely cover our hands and even in the car, your hands are exposed to more direct sunlight. Seldom does anyone put sunscreen on when driving or wear gloves when in the sun, but we wear hats, SPF clothing and sunscreen. How often does someone reapply sunscreen after they wash their hands?

The amount of energy from a UV lamp during a nail service is roughly equal to the amount of UV exposure one gets during a typical full day of exposure in indoor fluorescent lighting.