What Type of UVA Is in Nail Curing Lamps and How Does It Affect Your Skin?

If you’ve ever had your nails done under a UV lamp, you’ve likely wondered: is this safe for my skin? While gel manicures are beloved for their longevity and shine, the UVA radiation emitted by curing lamps can quietly accelerate signs of aging, DNA damage, and oxidative stress in the delicate skin on your hands. Here’s what you need to know about the type of UVA used in these lamps—and how SEALA™ is designed to protect against it.

 

What Kind of UV Light Do Nail Curing Lamps Emit?

 

Most gel nail curing lamps fall into two categories:

• Traditional UV lamps: These emit a broad spectrum of UVA and UVB, including UVA-2 (320–340 nm) and UVA-1 (340–400 nm).

• Modern LED curing lamps: These focus primarily on UVA-1 wavelengths, especially around 365–405 nm, which are more efficient at curing gel polish but still damaging to skin.

Even though UVA-1 has lower energy than UVB, it penetrates deeper into the dermis and is responsible for photoaging, collagen degradation, and long-term oxidative damage. Recent studies also show that repetitive exposure to UVA from nail lamps can trigger mitochondrial DNA damage—a key contributor to premature aging and cellular stress.

 

Why Is UVA-1 So Harmful During Nail Curing?

 

Unlike UVB (which causes sunburn), UVA-1 doesn’t trigger immediate discomfort—making it deceptively dangerous. When you place your hands under a curing lamp, you’re exposing the skin to high-intensity UVA radiation in a concentrated timeframe, often without any SPF protection.

 

Here's what happens to your skin:

• Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced in the skin, leading to oxidative stress

• Collagen and elastin fibers begin to break down

• DNA damage accumulates over time, increasing risk of pigmentation and cellular malfunction

• Skin barrier function is weakened, leaving skin vulnerable to dehydration and sensitivity

This is why dermatologists now advise protecting hands during nail curing sessions, particularly for those with sensitive, aging, or fair skin.

How SEALA™ Shields Your Skin—Even Under UV Lamps

 

 

SEALA™ was designed specifically for hands exposed to gel curing lamps. Unlike traditional sunscreens that focus solely on outdoor use, SEALA is formulated to perform in high-intensity indoor UVA environments, including nail salons, photo studios, and industrial workspaces.

 

Once applied to the skin, SEALA forms an invisible, breathable shield that protects against UVA-induced oxidative stress, collagen breakdown, and dehydration. Here’s how:

Ectoin® – The Cellular Guardian

 

At the heart of SEALA’s mechanism is Ectoin, a powerful extremolyte molecule naturally found in desert-dwelling microorganisms. Ectoin helps these organisms survive extreme UV and oxidative environments—and delivers the same protection to human skin.

Here’s what Ectoin does:

• Shields cell membranes and DNA from UVA-induced structural damage

• Reduces inflammation and oxidative stress by stabilizing reactive oxygen species

• Strengthens skin barrier function, locking in moisture even under drying UV

• Improves skin resilience with long-term use, reducing sensitivity over time

Ectoin is not a filter—it’s a biological shield that works from within the skin, complementing SEALA’s other film-forming and UV-absorbing ingredients.

 

A New Category of Protection

 

Together, the ingredients in SEALA’s formula

• Prevent moisture loss under lamp heat

• Block both UVA and UVB wavelengths

• Maintain adhesion-friendly skin texture, making it safe to use before gel polish application

SEALA is non-oily, fragrance-free, and specifically designed not to interfere with nail product bonding—a problem often caused by greasy or traditional SPF products.

The Takeaway

 

While nail curing lamps are a staple in modern beauty routines, the UVA-1 radiation they emit is not benign. Repeated exposure accelerates skin aging, dryness, and damage at a cellular level. SEALA™ steps in where traditional sunscreens fall short—offering targeted protection, with Ectoin at its core, to protect your hands without disrupting your manicure.

Protect Now, Glow Later

 

 

Your hands tell your age first. Protect them from the invisible damage of UVA today—with SEALA.