The FDA Got it Wrong - Who's Surprised?

We tried to handle this directly with the FDA. We shared our research and provided documentation proving what we ascertained was correct and verified. However, the FDA choose to look the other way unfortunately so here is a summary of what is incorrect regarding the Consumer Update recently published by the FDA this past summer. Considering the FDA was late in informing us about the dangers of cigarettes, tanning beds, sunscreens that did not really protect us from skin cancer, & who knows how many other things, it is not a huge surprise they got this wrong too…or are they just to cozy with the beauty industry to do the right thing?

Comments in BLACK CAPS are made on behalf of YouVeeShield and are not a part of the FDA’s update. This report is not shown in it’s entirety only as it pertains to the UV nail lamps.

About Nail Drying and Curing Lamps—and UV Exposure

Ultraviolet (UV) nail curing lamps are table-top size units used to dry or “cure” acrylic or gel nails and gel nail polish. These devices are used in salons and sold online. They feature lamps or LEDs that emit UV (ultraviolet) radiation. (Nail curing lamps are different than sunlamps, which are sometimes called “tanning beds.” You can learn more about the risks of sunlamps on the FDA’s website.) (CONCLUSION - UV & LED LAMPS EMIT UVA RADIATION)

Exposure to UV radiation can cause damage to your skin, especially if you’re exposed over time. For example, it can lead to premature wrinkles, age spots, and even skin cancer. (CONCLUSION - UVA RADIATION EMITTED FROM THE NAIL LAMPS WILL DAMAGE YOUR SKIN EVENTUALLY)

But the FDA views nail curing lamps as low risk when used as directed by the label. *** For example, a 2013 published study indicated that—even for the worst case lamp that was evaluated—36 minutes of daily exposure to this lamp was below the occupational exposure limits for UV radiation. (THIS IN INCORRECT. THE STUDY CLEARLY FOUND THESE NAIL LAMPS FELL INTO THE RISK 2 CATEGORY OF LIGHTING SOURCES. BIG DIFFERENCE IN RECOMMENDED WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS)

(Note that these limits only apply to normal, healthy people and not to people who may have a condition that makes them extra sensitive to UV radiation.) (CONCLUSION - EVERYONE MUST PROTECT THEIR SKIN BECAUSE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE IF YOU HAVE A PHOTOSENSITIVE AT ANY GIVEN TIME WHICH CAN BE FROM A PERFUME, A MAKE-UP, A MEDICATION, PERHAPS YOU ATE AN ORGANGE…THERE ARE OVER 100 SUBSTANCES THAT CAN RENDER YOU SENSITIVE TO LIGHT WITHOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE)

To date, the FDA has not received any reports of burns or skin cancer attributed to these lamps. (WE DO CARE ABOUT PRE-MATURELY AGED SKIN THOUGH. EXPOSURE TO UVA RADIATION CONTRIBUTES TO PREMATURELY AGED SKIN)

Also remove cosmetics, fragrances, and skin care products (except sunscreen!) before using these lamps, as some of these products can make you more sensitive to UV rays. (WHO IS GOING TO DO THAT? MUCH EASIER TO USE YouVeeShields & YOU CAN KEEP YOUR MAKE-UP & PERFUME ON XO)

If you have questions about using nail drying or curing lamps, consult a health care professional. (YouVeeShields ARE DEMERMATOLOGIST APPROVED!)

And if you do choose to use these devices, you can reduce UV exposure by:

Wearing UV-absorbing gloves that expose only your nails. (EXCEPT THESE GLOVES ARE NOT REGULATED BY THE FDA & THE AMOUNT OF UV LIGHT THEY BLOCK IS NOT ALWAYS WHAT IS STATED. PLUS AS THEY ARE WASHED, THIS PROTECTION DIMINISHES & YOU HAVE NO WAY OF DETERMINING BY HOW MUCH OR WHEN THIS OCCURS. YouVeeShields WORK EVERY TIME THOUGH...A MUCH BETTER CHOICE.

Wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. (Since nail treatments can include exposure to water, follow the sunscreen’s labeled directions for use in these situations.) SUNSCREEN CAN INTERFERE WITH THE PROPER CURING OF THE GEL POLISH WHICH MEANS YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE THE SERVICE EXPERIENCE THE GEL COMPANIES INTENDED YOU TO HAVE. OF COURSE, WITH YouVeeShield, THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE)

Finally, nail curing lamps usually come with instructions for exposure time. The shorter your exposure, the less risky the exposure, in general.***So always follow labeled directions when available. In general, you should not use these devices for more than 10 minutes per hand, per session. (***THIS IS JUST NOT TRUE WHEN REFERRING TO THE UV NAIL LAMPS. UNFORTUNATELY, NO ONE READS THE DIRECTIONS. NO ONE KEEPS THE DIRECTIONS. THE ONLY WAY A CUSTOMER CAN ACCESS THE DIRECTIONS IS TO PURCHASE THE LAMP. OR GO TO www.youveeshield AS WE PUBLISH SEVERAL OF THE MOST POPULAR LAMPS INSTRUCTIONS ON OUR SITE & WE PROVIDE ACCURATE CURING TIMES FOR EACH TYPE OF GEL & LAMP TO MAKE YOUR GEL MANICURE SAFER AND BETTER FOR YOUR NAILS )