Editor's note: Understanding UV Technology

In preparing this month’s health article on ultraviolet light, I found myself in quite the quandary. On the one hand, this nail light technology represents a major step forward in nail care technology. Here is a system that promises quick curing times, a more “natural” finish and no irritating product fumes.

Yet on the other hand, this same technology presents two warring factions: white light curing systems versus ultraviolet light systems … both making at times outlandish claims against each other and both relatively new technologies with regard to nail care.

The difficulty, and thus the quandary, was in presenting enough information so that you the reader would be able to make a sound and sensible decision. As a result, the material deals almost entirely with UV-A light, as that is the majority of lamps and systems currently on the market.

The references reviewed for this article were many, including documentation from dental applications and from various lamp manufacturers.

Part of what emerged appears in this issue as a question-answer format. But the one aspect of this technology that bears additional mention is the gels used as part of these systems. Briefly, although these products can be considered part of the acrylic family, the ingredients added do not have a history that documents their effects on the nail. Consequently, should you or your client experience any of the mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as rashes, immediately change gels. When it comes to your health, it is better to play it safe.

As more is known about the gels, and their ingredients, we will all feel safer about their long-term use.

In the meantime, should you have any comments about this product or system, positive or negative, please forward them to Heidi Fron, editor, Nails Magazine, at this address.

We look forward to your comments.