UV nail lamps emit UVA rays, and, as specialists warn, frequent exposure over the years could contribute to skin aging and increase accumulative cellular damage. What preventive measures do they recommend?
Entering the salon, selecting a shade, and walking out with flawless nails for weeks has become part of the routine for many women. But there is a step in the process that began to raise questions: those few minutes with your hands under the lamp that dries the semi-permanent polish.
Although the exposure is brief, aesthetic medicine specialists warn that, when repeated every 15 or 21 days for years, it is wise to take some precautions to protect the skin on the hands.
What happens when we frequently use UV lamps
From her Instagram profile, the aesthetic medicine physician Dr. Elisa Tobal explained that the lamps used to dry semi-permanent nail polish emit ultraviolet radiation type A (UVA).
According to the professional, this type of radiation penetrates into deeper layers of the skin and, with time and repeated exposure, can contribute to the degradation of collagen and elastin, two fundamental components for maintaining skin firmness and elasticity.
Meanwhile, Dr. Liz Alvarenga, also a specialist in aesthetic medicine, emphasizes that the issue is not usually tied to a single exposure, but to the so-called accumulative risk.
“One time won’t do anything; the problem is when you get the service every 15 or 21 days for years,” she explains in a video disseminated on her social networks.
Why hands are especially vulnerable
Hands are often one of the first areas of the body to show signs of aging. The skin there is thinner and is constantly exposed to the sun and other environmental factors.
According to Liz Alvarenga, each exposure to UVA radiation compels the body to repair tiny cellular damages. If that exposure is repeated over a long period, some of those repairs may not be carried out perfectly and the damage could accumulate over the years.
The specialist also notes that scientific studies have observed an increase in oxidative stress and repetitive cellular damage associated with this type of lamps, which is why she recommends adopting preventive measures without having to abandon the semi-permanent manicure.
How to reduce exposure without stopping getting your nails done
The specialists agree that this is not about causing alarm, but about incorporating simple habits that help to protect the skin.
Among the recommendations they share are:
- Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen to the hands about 20 minutes before the session.
- Use UV-protective gloves that leave only the nails exposed during the drying process.
- Space out, when possible, semi-permanent nail applications to give the skin and nails a break.
The key is prevention
UV lamps are part of a widely used technique and the exposure during each session is usually brief. However, when this procedure becomes a sustained habit for years, the specialists consider that it is worth incorporating protective measures.
As with other aspects of skincare, prevention also adds up through small daily gestures. Applying sunscreen or using specific gloves during manicures are simple actions that can help reduce cumulative UVA exposure.
