Friday, November 19, 2010

OPI Bogota Blackberry {+ what do y'all think of those lights?}


This morning I went for a long overdue pedicure and chose OPI's Bogota Blackberry... not as dark as my current mani ( Black Cherry Chutney) but still a pretty, rich, ruby/burgundy hue. Both polishes were packaged together, along with Brisbane Bronze, in a little mini trio I either purchased or received as a giveaway at Ulta awhile back... but hadn't gotten around to wearing yet. I really like them both.


So, while I'm thinking about polish and nail salons... I'm wondering what people think about those UV lights many places have you put your hands and feet under while your polish is drying. I used to sit there under the lights, wondering if it was really drying my nails any faster, and then I started thinking: exactly what kind of UV light is this? Surely different than those tanning beds, right? But if it's drying my nails, what is it doing to my skin? Now, I know we are exposed to light and all sorts of things all the time but if I can eliminate one little potential hazard, why not?

pic from dukeandthedoctor.com

And then I heard something about it on the news and started doing a little research. I recently found this article which explains the devices and potential/possible risk. This article explains how it only works on certain topcoats (more expensive ones that contain a certain kind of acrylic polymer). And here's what the New York Times had to say.

So now, I opt out of the lights and I really cannot tell any difference in the dry time.

Has anyone else been hearing about this?

xoxo

8 comments:

  1. Beautiful color and I have always wondered about those lights too!!! Thanks for the info!!!

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  2. Whoa, thank you for bringing that up~ I prefer not to use the lights as I never noticed a difference either, and I always seem to bump a nail when using them! They have little fans, and those work just fine. As a melanoma survivor (so far) I will def. never choose the lights!

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  3. Love the color- we actually learned about this as a risk factor for skin cancer in med school last semester.

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  4. I've been skeptical about the UV lights, as well. A beautiful manicure won't matter if your hands are covered with age spots or skin cancer. I've seen some girls in the salons bring knit gloves with the fingers cut out so that they can use the lights without as much UV exposure.

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  5. I don't use the lights. I have a big family history of skin cancer, so I just say no! It's too bad because I've been wanting to try Shellac mani/pedi, but it hardens by the UV.

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  6. Ive been working in the hairdressing field over 20 years, stay away from those lights and just use the fans!! Unfortnately most of my hairdresser friends all had trouble conceiving their kids, all because of the toxins in our salons. Anyway Love the nail polish, I just got the ginger color and it is so pretty. Dont you just love these vibrant fall colors?

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  7. Thanks for showing Bogota Blackberry - I've been wanting to try that color. I'd never seen the lights - I usually just go to InSpa (super convenient) and I don't think they even have them.

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  8. Cute color, love the TB sandals! I have the same pair in navy and forest green. Yea, I don't trust those lights either! Hope you had a fabulous weekend! :)

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