Getting a mani at a salon may be more dangerous than you thought.

Nail salon lamps use ultraviolet light to speed up the drying and to harden gels and polishes, but a new study shows that the practice poses a threat to skin, according to the New York Times.

The dryers and tanning beds use the same kind of ultraviolet light, UVA. Gel manicures are long lasting and are shiny, which is why they are so popular. Doctors have also said that there's a low health risk associated with using nail salon lamps.

Georgia Regents University sampled 17 random UV nail lamps to see how much radiation was emitted during eight minutes of hardening or drying. The study was published in the JAMA Dermatology journal.

"There is a vast range in the amount of light coming out these devices," said Dr. Lyndsay R. Shopp, lead author for the study.

The radiation ranges from "barely" to "significant," said Shopp.

Skin cancer can be caused at around 60 joules per centimeter squared through DNA damage. One trip to the nail salon won't cause that. But eight to 14 visits in a period that ranges from 24 to 42 months would reach 60 joules.

"Risk from multiple manicure visits remains untested," the study said. But "even with numerous exposures, the risk for carcinogenesis remains small."

However, people can get that same exposure just driving in their car, Shipp said.

High-watt light bulbs emit more UV radiation, but it would be difficult to check the lamp beforehand. Shipp says she will continue to use nail lamps. She gets manicures every few months.

The study also gave gel manicure lovers a few tips to be safer.

For example, don't get the lotion and massage. Instead, use sunscreen. You can also wear UV-protective gloves with the fingertips cut off. This way your nails are the only thing that are affected by the light.