We love our clients and the last thing we want to do is cause them any harm. We’ve all been asked the question, “Can I get cancer from getting gels?” There’s no short answer but as always, ensuring that your clients are informed and educated about gels and harmful UV light is key to making sure they are safe and protected.
A little info
The truth is, when clients are exposed to ultraviolet light every couple of weeks while receiving gel services, it does significantly increase their exposure to harmful UV light. So from that perspective, yes it could, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it will, but knowing how to protect your clients from the harmful UV rays is more your concern than anything else.
After all, once they have been informed, it’s their decision to discontinue gel services or not, but it’s your responsibility as a professional to protect them if they do decide to forge on.
So, how do I protect my clients?
Once you know better you do better and that is certainly the case with UV protection. Though you cannot always completely protect your clients from the effects of UV rays, you can implement a system that will decrease the chances of maximum exposure to them.
Here are 4 ways you can help protect your client from harmful UV rays.
Use sunscreen
Before you slide you, clients, beautifully lacquered nails into the UV light make sure you slather their hands with sunscreen or use massage creams or lotions that contain sunscreen with a 30 SPF or better. Make sure though that when you apply it, you clean the nail plate to ensure proper application and curing.
In case you didn’t know…
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and it is a measure of how well certain sunscreens protect the skin from UVB rays, which is the kind of radiation that causes sunburn, skin damage, and possibly melanoma.
Check out this SPF scale
· SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays
· SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays
· SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays
Fingerless gloves and toeless socks
One of the best methods for protecting your clients from UVB rays is simply covering them up. Purchase a few pairs of inexpensive gloves and socks then cut the fingers and toes out of them. You can also buy fingerless gloves made from a special polymer that already has titanium dioxide, one of the main ingredients in some sunscreens.
Use a LED light instead of a UV light
Though LED lights still emit harmful UV rays, LED lamps are said to be safer than traditional UV lights because curing time is faster and therefore there’s less exposure to radiation. Faster curing time is a huge advantage to you and the client! Wink!
Don’t allow your client to put their whole hand or foot into the device
Instruct your clients to insert their nails into the UV device, not their whole hand. Many times clients will slide their whole hand or foot into the devices, and it’s not necessary. They only need to cure the nail and decreasing the amount of skin they expose to the harmful rays decreases their risk of exposure.
Though we may not be able to prevent, we can protect. Click this link for more information about UV versus LED light.