UV Nail Lamps Explained: Facts and Myths for Safer Gel Manicures

Apr 9th, 2025

April Ryan

April Ryan breaks down facts and myths around UV nail lamps for safer gel manicures.

IMAGE BY JAVIINDY AT ADOBE STOCK

I’ve seen so many discussions about whether UV nail lamps cause cancer. As someone who has studied nail product chemistry and UV lamp technology, I want to break it down in a way that actually makes sense. No fear-mongering—just facts and real science. Using the right techniques and good equipment definitely makes a difference when UV lights are necessary in your daily work.

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First, What Even Is UV Light?

UV (ultraviolet) light sits between X-rays and visible light on the spectrum, with wavelengths ranging from 100 nm to 400 nm. It’s split into three types:

UVA (315–400 nm): This is what modern LED nail lamps emit, and it’s considered the least harmful. It mainly causes skin aging, rather than direct DNA damage.
UVB (280–315 nm): This is the type of UV that causes sunburns and is more linked to skin cancer. Older mercury-based UV lamps had some UVB, but modern LED lamps do not.
UVC (100–280 nm): Extremely dangerous, but completely blocked by the ozone layer—and no nail lamp emits it.

So, when people say "UV lamps are like tanning beds," they’re missing a big difference:anning beds use a mix of UVA and UVB at much higher intensity, while nail lamps mostly emit lower-power UVA.

Does Using a UV Lamp Actually Cause Cancer?UV (ultraviolet) light sits between X-rays and visible light on the spectrum, with wavelengths ranging from 100 nm to 400 nm. It’s split into three types.IMAGE BY IHOR AT ADOBE STOCK

There have been a few case reports (not large studies) about people developing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) on their hands after years of getting gel manicures. For example:

In 2009, two women who did gel manicures regularly developed SCC.
In 2019, a woman who had 18 years of gel manicures and also tanned weekly got SCC.

But here’s the thing—these are isolated cases, not solid proof. A 2018 study on 100,000 women under 40 found no significant link between gel manicures and skin cancer. Plus, your nail plate itself blocks UVB completely and only lets 0.5%–2.5% of UVA through.

So while overexposure to UV in general isn’t great, the risk from nail lamps alone seems minimal—especially compared to daily sun exposure.

What About the “Burn” From Gel Curing?

Now, this is something worth paying attention to! You know that heat spikes when gel is curing? That’s because gel hardens through a polymerization reaction too quickly, and if it’s too intense, it can cause a thermal burn.

There’s actually a theory that chronic trauma to the nails (burns, frostbite or repeated injuries) can trigger nail cancer. That’s why I always recommend using a lamp with a low-heat mode to slow down the reaction and reduce the burn risk.

Allergic Reactions: The Real Concern

The biggest issue I see with nail lamps isn’t cancer—it’s allergic reactions. But here’s the catch:

It’s not the lamp itself or the UV light that causes allergies.
The problem comes from low-quality or weak/old lamps that don’t cure gel properly.
If gel isn’t fully cured, uncured monomers stay on the nail and penetrate the skin, leading to severe allergies.

This is why using the right lamp for the gel system you’re working with is crucial. Old or underpowered lamps leave too many uncured molecules, increasing the risk of allergic reactions.

So, Should You Worry About UV Nail Lamps?

Here’s my take:Wear SPF 30+ sunscreen or UV-blocking gloves while curing.IMAGE BY ALLIANCE AT ADOBE STOCK

No, UV nail lamps don’t seem to significantly increase cancer risk based on current research.
Yes, heat spikes can cause burns, and since trauma is linked to nail cancer, using a low-heat mode is important.
The real issue is allergies, which happen when gel isn’t properly cured due to weak lamps.

If you want to be extra careful, you can:

Use LED lamps (not old UV lamps) that work in the 360–420 nm range.
Wear SPF 30+ sunscreen or UV-blocking gloves while curing.
Make sure your gel is properly cured to avoid allergic reactions.

At the end of the day, science doesn’t support the fear that gel manicures are deadly, but using the right techniques and good equipment definitely makes a difference!