Are UV/LED Lamps Safe?

Lamp Safety: What You Should Know

Concerns about the safety of nail lamps are common, and it’s an important topic. While research is ongoing, multiple peer-reviewed studies offer valuable insights.

For most users, who typically use these lamps for only a few minutes every few weeks, the risk is considered minimal. In fact, a popular 2023 study supports this, finding little cause for concern with typical use. (read the study here)

Despite this negligible risk, we wanted to offer a nail curing lamp we felt mitigated these risks even further. How?

Understanding UV Light and LED Lamps

All nail lamps, including those labeled as “LED,” emit some level of UV light, as light travels in waves across a spectrum. UV light falls within the 200-400 nanometer (nm) range, with specific categories:

• UVB: 290-320 nm
• UVA: 320-400 nm
• Visible light begins at 400 nm

Most standard nail lamps operate in the 365-405 nm range, primarily within the UVA spectrum.

The FNGA Nano Range Lamp

Research suggests that the wavelength of UV light matters. A 2020 study examined how different wavelengths (365 nm vs. 405 nm) affect DNA damage and found significantly less risk with the 405 nm wavelength.
(read the study here).

Our Nano Range LED Lamp features LEDs that emit light between 395-405 nm, placing it higher on the spectrum and closer to visible light.

Extra Precautions for Peace of Mind

While ongoing research may provide new insights, it’s wise to take precautions. Some users choose to:

• Apply sunscreen to their hands before using a lamp (while avoiding nail beds, as this would lead to retention issues and lifting)
• Wear fingerless gloves with SPF protection
• Select a lamp that emits higher wavelengths, such as our Nano Range LED Lamp