When you know you are going to go out and spend a significant amount of time in the sun, such as a trip to the beach or doing yard work, you’ll likely apply sunscreen. The chemicals that constitute sunscreen can block the dangerous ultraviolet (UV) rays that can lead to sunburn, or even skin cancer. Of course, to those people who value a nice tan, the UV rays are desirable and even sought by going to a tanning salon. You would probably think the people who frequent the tanning salons are either aware of the risk of the UV exposure and discount it, or they value the look of a tan body and are willing to risk exposure to UV rays.
But are there places where you may receive exposure to UV rays and are unaware of it? Most people who maintain good dental health may have x-rays taken, although they are given a nice lead vest and the dentist or dental assistants leave the room (if they can) before the brief exposure. What about people who get manicures at salons?
Often salons, and more specifically nail salons, use small UV lamps as part of manicuring process. It is difficult to ascertain the reason for these lamps; some places claim it is part of the drying process, or the lamps help seal the nail polish. Other places (and online retailers) will sell UV lamps to customers. But are they harmful? One study published in the journal Archives of Dermatology cited two middle-aged women who were otherwise healthy except for the non-melanoma skin cancers on their hands???cancers that were linked to UV lamps. According to an assistant professor at New York University, the use of these UV lamps for manicures (every week or two) could add up to a significant amount of UV exposure. Perhaps, this is something to consider the next time you get a manicure!