"It's like a Mini Tanning Bed for your Fingers....."

If you follow my posts, you may have noticed a post I made in the middle of March, it was talking about wanting to get the Nailene Professional UV Gel Curing Lamp, however after talking to another beauty expert, she told me to do some research about the side effects of using such lamps... and of course my "cosmetic geek" and "research junkie" sides came out.... here is the fruit of my research labour.. hehe


(Warning: There are graphic pictures below, do not scroll down if you are sensitive to the truth)

Did you know that the Artificial nails industry is worth over $6 billion dollars? At about five times the amount of Starbucks, there are almost 60,000 nail salons in the US alone.
In these nail salons, UV light is used, which is argued to increase the risk or skin cancer on your fingers.
Now, some say that these UV curing lamps are harmful and others say they aren't at all. But who do we believe and what do we do?
I did a little research and found valid points on both views. 




"UV(Ultra Violet) Lamps are dangerous and can cause cancer"
According to the researchers at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas, it was noticed that some of their patients who had skin cancer on their fingers(which is an uncommon place to get skin cancer) had been exposed to having UV light for artificial nails. This light has been proven to damage cells' DNA and therefore causing mutations that lead to cancer. Also, from the Director of research at Dalhousie University's dermatology division in Halifax; Dr. Richard Langley: "The scientific evidence that UV nail lights used in the dryers can cause cancer are both direct and indirect." He also noted published case reports of women who didn't have any family history of sun damage that turned into skin cancer, who had skin cancer on their fingers, around the nail area after regularly using UV nail dryers. 
The UV lamps are similar to tanning beds in the sense where they can make your skin look older and they emit UV rays just as a tanning bed would, and we all know the dangers of tanning beds. "The nail drying lights emit UVA rays, which can penetrate the skin much more deeply" said Dr. Marcy Street; board certified Mayo Clinic trained dermatologist and first female African MOHS(Chemosurgery) surgeon in the country(USA).

We can compare the amount of radiation that your fingers get from a nail treatment to a tanning bed/booth because someone who regularly gets their nails done would probably get it done every 2-4 weeks. If this were done for years this could definitely add up to a significant amount of UV exposure over the years. However, no large scale research has been done to clarify the dangers of using UV light. 


Some doctors say that you can reduce the exposure by wearing gloves or putting towels or some kind of barrier around your skin during nail treatments. You could also put sunscreen on your skin. However, these methods according to the doctors are not enough to prevent skin damage from the UV light. And quite honestly, we all know the best prevention is to not use them at all. 


And of course, in general, the more exposure you have, the more at risk you are of developing skin cancer from UV lamps. And there would be your decision... to do it or not.


"UV lamps are not strong enough to harm you"
On the other side of the argument, there are equally valid points that make total sense and make me question the truth behind such research.


"Nail drying UV lights are lower wattage than body tanning UV lights but they are used on smaller region. You need to look at watts per square inch of skin not total watts. Of course the duration of the exposure matters too. In general you should minimize your exposure to UV light..." said a reader of thedermblog.com


"If these lights are the same as what is in a tanning bed, why aren't my fingers blistered?
Had I been in a tanning bed for a comparable amount of time, I would at least be red. And I am not even browned. Sooo.... What am I missing?" said a reader of thedermblog.com


"...is it true that the UV light emitted at nail salons is the same as that emitted by a tanning bed?
According to dermatologist Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, M.D. in the August 2008 issue of Oprah magazine, UVA light emitted by nail salon type dryers is only 10-30 watts, which is significantly less than the 2400 watts or so emitted by a tanning bed...." said a read or thedermblog.com


To conclude, with all this information, I am still at a crossroad about my decision on whether to buy one for myself or not. What do you think? Would you get your nails done again? Do you not care because you don't get them done that often or not at all? Let me know your thoughts!

Here are some videos that I found interesting on this point.... if anyone cares to watch

The first is from DermTV.com with Dr. Neal Schultz

The second is a news report from News9 Oklahoma City

Thanks for reading! I know that was a lot.. please let me know what you thought.... 

ProduCt.ReViEw.- Revlon Crazy Shine - Nail Buffer

Revlon Crazy Shine - Nail Buffer

What Revlon has to say: "Revolutionary nail buffer creates 400% more shine than bare nails. Buff nails to a topcoat shine in a matter of seconds…results that last for 3 days."

Made of foam

- Tear drop shape makes buffing easy

- Only two sided, so it is super simple to use : 1st use to green side to buff your nail and then the white side to smooth the nail and add shine

- Gives the nails the appearance of a top coat

- Simple to use

- Fast solution

-Inexpensive

- This buffer has a limited lifespan, as the green side is used, the surface grit wears off

- The claim of 3 days of shine surely did not last for me, no longer then a day and a half. Maybe 2 days, but surely not 3

- It is a bit awkward to buff the whole nail evenly, therefore making it difficult to get shine on the whole nail

This is a great product for someone who is maybe not so patient or good about applying top coat. Or great for someone who is in a hurry but needs polished looking nails. Also great for someone who does not like product on their nails but wants nice looking nails. I personally would probably not purchase this again. At the price though, it won't hurt your wallet too much

$3-6CAD or Buy it on Well.ca for $5.49(non-sponsored)

3.5/5

NOTD: Lilacism MOD SQUAD craCKLe

If you read my post yesterday, then you know that I purchased the black crackle polish from China Glaze. I got it for $5.25CAD and didn't know if I would like it that much on myself. And you know what? It's growing on me. I had a little fun with the colours underneath. 






I combined: Sally Hansen INSTA-DRI fast dry - 28 Mint Sprint, Essie - 589 Mod Squad, L'oreal - 345 Purple Pop, L'oreal - 262 Fanatic Fuschia, Essie - 705 Lilacism, OPI - No Room For The Blues
I topped those up with a coat of China Glaze Crackle 980 Black Mesh and 3 coats Seche Vite Dry fast top coat.

What do you think of this colour combo? Do you like the look of crackle polishes?

Mini Nail Haul and NOTD: ESSIE: Neo Whimsical Lilacism

So today I went to London Drugs(a drugstore here in Western Canada and Canada wide online) and picked up a few items. Funnily, all for nails! Check them out:

First I picked up two more colours of the Sally Hansen nail art pens. I had picked some up a while ago and liked them. Plus they were on sale from $8.99CAD to $3.49CAD each.... what a steal! They are super easy to use.

Next I picked up Seche Vite Dry Fast top coat. I seriously have never tried this one. I initially went in for my OPI top coat, however after seeing it on many many blogs, I couldn't resist to try it. I have it on my nails now, and am quite impressed so far. $9.99CAD

I picked up the Fran Wilson Nail tees because I always paint a little polish on my fingers. And thought I would give them a try. $3.49CAD 

Next is my NOTD. I used two Essie polishes, and just alternated colours for each nail. They are both pastel colours and I thought it would be cute to do. I used three coats of each polish(Neo Whimsical and Lilacism) on each nail and one coat of Seche Vite top coat. Check them out:

Have you tried any of these products? What did you think?

Easy nail art tutorial: Starry Night / and EOTD

Happy Hump day everyone! haha. here we are, the middle of the week! I hope so far your week has been good. Mine definitely has. Got back to my workout routine, after a weekend off. Work is pretty awesome and received some awesome news the other day. Kind of a secret for now, so all I will say is, the future looks promising. Today I had the day off, and for the last week I have been wanting to do a nail tutorial. And what a perfect day to do it. I recreated a look I saw from a youtuber. I did change it a little. I did want to use a darker blue polish, however to my surprise I did not have a dark blue so I mixed two colours so I could have a medium colour. Hope you like it! Enjoy!

I also did my eye makeup in dark blue before hand. (My nails were suppose to be a darker blue like the eyes, however I didn't have the colour)

Did you like this tutorial? I want your feed back! Be honest! Would you like to see videos? What do you think of the eye makeup?

NOTD-siLveR.gLitteR.

This is two coats of Anna Sui 004 nail polish. I am not usually a fan of glittery nail polish but this one has grown on me. I think the reason I like this polish so much too is that it has a sweet rose smell to it.

What do you think of this colour? Would you wear it? Do you like glitter?

Thanks for reading! Please FOLLOW and COMMENT!

ProduCt.ReViEw. -SaLLy.HanSen.NaiL.Art.PeN.

I didn't get all the colours. I'm missing the Blue, Silver and Red.

The Product: Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen

Claim to fame: "Nail Art Made Easy!Unique pen and fast-drying formula allows anyone to "Design & Go!" Create nail designs over any nail color. Fine-tip pen makes it easy to control and draw precise lines for a French Manicure. Mistake-proof formula can be removed or corrected with a moist cotton swab without damaging dry nail polish. Water-based formula is environmentally friendly. Great for French Pedicure tips too. Available in 8 designable shades. Toluene, DBP, and Formaldehyde free." Sally Hansen

Ingredients: White, Hot Pink, Light Pink, Blue Pen Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Ceteth-20, Sodium Polyaspartate, Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Xanthan Gum, Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben. MAY ALSO CONTAIN: Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydrated Silica. MAY CONTAIN: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Red 30, Ferric Ferrocyanide. Red, Silver, Gold Pen Ingredients: Water, Acrylates Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate, Sterculia Urens Gum, Dextrin, Simethicone, Aminomethyl Propanol, Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben. MAY ALSO CONTAIN: Silica. MAY CONTAIN: Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides. Black Pen Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Beheneth-30, Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Xanthan Gum, Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Black 2.

Pros: Really easy to use. Love the colour selection they launched them in. Fine tip to create detail designs. Vibrant colours that don't need more then one layer.

Cons: Small amount. Scared it will run out quickly. Have to shake quite a bit before using it. Do not use on bare nail. Need to be topped with a top coat to protect from chipping.  

The bottom line: I like these a lot. Easy for me to use. Beginner friendly for sure. 

Rating: 4/5

Price and size: $8.99 CAD/2ml

My last post shows my first attempt at nail art with these babies. 

Thanks for reading! Please FOLLOW and COMMENT!

Have you used these? What do you think?! Do you want them?!