# Those Light Boxes at the Nail Salon...how do they work?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-light-boxes-at-the-nail-salon-how-do-they-work/381747>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 25, 2006, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-light-boxes-at-the-nail-salon-how-do-they-work/381747 "2006-11-25T15:42:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2006, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-light-boxes-at-the-nail-salon-how-do-they-work/381747/1 "2006-11-25T15:42:19Z")

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When I get a professional manicure, the technician puts me at a table where a black-light looking glow and some circulating air dry my polish.

I think the light thing is a scam. Anyone got the straight dope on that?

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**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2006, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-light-boxes-at-the-nail-salon-how-do-they-work/381747/2 "2006-11-25T15:47:27Z")

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What it’s **supposed** to be is a UV light. UV kills germs and helps to prevent infection. Whether or not that’s what it really is I can’t say.

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**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2006, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-light-boxes-at-the-nail-salon-how-do-they-work/381747/3 "2006-11-25T15:52:45Z")

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[QUOTE=Dorjän]  
What it’s **supposed** to be is a UV light. UV kills germs and helps to prevent infection. Whether or not that’s what it really is I can’t say.  
[/QUOTE]

Wow. Thanks for that little factoid. I’ve NEVER been given a reason by any technician. They always tell me it helps them dry. Go figure.

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**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2006, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-light-boxes-at-the-nail-salon-how-do-they-work/381747/4 "2006-11-25T15:53:49Z")

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The polymerization of some plastics is [enhanced by UV light](http://www.tufts.edu/as/tampl/program99/finalprojects/mrp/UV_Curing.html).  
I’ve no idea whether nail polishes are in that class.

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**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2006, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-light-boxes-at-the-nail-salon-how-do-they-work/381747/5 "2006-11-25T16:41:59Z")

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[QUOTE=Squink]  
The polymerization of some plastics is [enhanced by UV light](http://www.tufts.edu/as/tampl/program99/finalprojects/mrp/UV_Curing.html).  
I’ve no idea whether nail polishes are in that class.  
[/QUOTE]

I’m thinking for artificial nails, that might be the case. I just do the natural manicure, so I’m not sure if that would count for polish.