Nails
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

UV Nail Lamps Do Not Increase Skin Cancer Risk, New Study Finds

UV nail lamps do not appear to significantly increase the lifetime risk of keratinocyte carcinoma — a type of non-melanoma skin cancer — in consumers, reports a study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

by Staff
February 19, 2013
UV Nail Lamps Do Not Increase Skin Cancer Risk, New Study Finds

 

1 min to read


UV nail lamps do not appear to significantly increase the lifetime risk of keratinocyte carcinoma — a type of non-melanoma skin cancer — in consumers, reports a study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology. Authors Alina Markova of Massachusetts General Hospital, the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Martin Weinstock of the Alpert Medical School of Brown University and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center sought to quantify the artificial UV radiation emitted by UV nail lamps at nail salons and compare their carcinogenic potential with that of commonly used phototherapy devices.

The narrowband UVB used for phototherapy, which is a common dermatological treatment, is “viewed as low risk, although not as zero risk, for the development of keratinocyte carcinoma,” according to the authors. The authors concluded that the UV nail lamps primarily emitted UVA with no detectable UVB or UVC, and that their study of three UV nail lamps “reveals that such exposure is a tiny fraction of a single NBUVB [narrowband UVB used for phototherapy] course, and hence does not produce a clinically significant increased risk of developing skin cancer.” Markova and Weinstock further say that “dermatologists and primary-care physicians may reassure patients regarding the safety of these devices.”

Ad Loading...

You can read the full report on Nature.com 

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Wellness

Ad Loading...
Wellness|Articles|Aug 5, 2025

Spa Day, Safe Day: Stop Fungal Infections in Their Tracks

As a spa or salon professional, your clients expect more than just beauty—they expect safety, hygiene, and peace of mind. Fungal infections like Athlete’s Foot and Nail Fungus are more common than you think, especially in environments where tools and footbaths are reused without proper sanitation. This blog covers how to stop these issues before they start, using proven infection prevention strategies for salons and spas.

Wellness|Articles|Mar 31, 2025

Protecting Your Clients From Viral Infections

Clients come to you to feel their best—not leave with a viral souvenir. Warts and cold sores can spread fast in busy salons, but a few smart habits make all the difference. Let’s talk about what’s really lurking in your salon (and how to kick it to the curb).

Ad Loading...
Wellness|Articles|Jul 3, 2024

Standing Stretches for Physical Longevity

Hairdressing is a physically taxing career integrating simple stretches into your daily routine can reduce the strain repetitive motion puts on your body, help you stay flexible and strong and eventually prolong your career.

Ad Loading...