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Risks,
Guidelines and Safe Practices for the
SkinD.R.™ Machine
Sunlight Produces Three Types of Light
The first is "White" (Visible) light, so we
can see and determine colors; the second is
"Infra-red" (Invisible) light, where we feel
the heat of the sun; and the third is
"Ultra-Violet" (Invisible) which produce
vitamin D in our bodies as well as the
phenomena of "Sun tanning or Sun burn" on our
skin.
Ultraviolet Light Is Classified Into Three
Categories
Generally speaking, UV light is defined as the
part of the spectrum which is divided into UVA,
UVB and UVC, though harmful UVB is virtually
absent from indoor light and UVC fortunately,
is absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere.
UVA is the type known as "Sun Tanning Light". UVA causes tanning
when the skin is exposed. Intense,
prolonged exposure to UV A can burn sensitive
skin and can cause damage to the skin which
leads to premature aging of the skin. The "A"
in UVA is known scientifically as "Alpha" but
more commonly represents "Aging" as it
plays a key role in wrinkling and "leathering"
of the skin. UVA is emitted by tanning
machines, black lights and the SkinD.R.™
Machine.
UVB is more likely to cause sunburn
than UV A. The "B" in UVB is known
scientifically as "Beta" but more commonly
represents "Burning". UVB is emitted to a
small extent in sun lamps, vapor lamps,
therapeutic lamps, medical lasers, and welding
equipment. UVB puts you at a higher risk than
UVA. Extended overexposure to the suns
UVB rays as it plays a key role in more severe
skin conditions.
Definition of UV Exposure
A tube black blue light is an artificial
source of UV or Ultra-Violet light. It is
basically a fluorescent lamp with a different
sort of phosphor coating. This coating absorbs
any harmful UVB light and emits benign UVA
light and some blue and violet visible light
that pass through.
The black blue bulbs have a UV coating placed
on the inside of the bulb which adds an
absorption layer of protection, causing a
barrier between the UV light and the client,
and protection from any external damage to the
bulb.
History and Applications of Inspection,
Analyzer or "Ultra-Violet" Type Machines
These exact machines have been used in the
marketplace for some 20 years or longer on a
regular basis by Medical Doctors,
Ophthalmologists, Dermatologists,
Cosmetologists, Esthetician Professionals and
others.
Applications of phosphorescent and fluorescent
materials are widely accepted throughout the
world. Industry, medicine (used for
tests, inspections and examinations), theater
(stage illumination), night clubs,
agriculture, military and police
(investigations) and advertising (sign boards)
are just some of the fields that have found an
ever increasing use of black light,
fluorescent and phosphorescence.
www.RiskReactor.com
Ophthalmologists have many uses for this type
of machine as an important tool in eye health
care; such as in diagnosis, monitoring and
proper contact lens fitting. They use
the Ultraviolet light to examine the integrity
of the eyes cornea, sclera and conjunctiva.
The light also aids in the removal of foreign
objects and shows the corneal symptoms of dry
eyes. In the follow up care of lasik
patients, the ultraviolet light is used to
observe the position and healing process of
the corneal flap. In the fitting of contact
lenses, the light is again used to check the fit of the base curve, size
and position of the lens on the eye.
For years now, professionals in the fields of
light energy and vision have known about the
hazards of UV (ultraviolet) light. Even
experts differ as to the exact wavelength of
UV light waves.
By Elaine Kitchel, Low
vision research Associate. American Printing
House for the blind and Author of Ultraviolet
A. Blue Light and Children
Guidelines for UV Exposure
The International Radiation Protection
Association (IRPA) recommends that
unprotected skin or eyes should not
exceed periods greater than approximately
sixteen minutes of exposure time.
The American Conference of Governmental
Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) publishes
threshold limit values for occupational
exposure to UVA states that the total
irradiance should not exceed periods greater
than approximately 16 minutes.
The American National Standards Institute, in
cooperation with the Illumination Engineers
Society of North America (ANSI/IESNA) has
worked to take the IRPA Guidelines and use
them for practical testing of lighting
devices. The SkinD.R.™ Machine
falls
into RG-I (low Risk) lamps that do not pose a
hazard due to normal behavioral limitations on
exposure. They have stated that low risk
lamps will not pose a UVA hazard for 5
minutes.
Laboratories and institutions notoriously go
well beyond the acceptable allowances of
caution for UV light in their manuals, briefs
etc.
Safe Practices for the SkinD.R.™ Machine
The bulbs for the SkinD.R.™ Machine are RG-1
"low risk" long wave black blue light lamps
that do not pose a hazard. Thus, one can
spend at least 5 minutes in front of the bulbs
per assessment before risk can become an issue
according to the ANSI with the IESNA.
We recommend limiting the assessment
exposure time period to below 5 minutes thus
reducing any possible risks.
Although it is possible to place one's face
extremely close to the mirror, it could reduce
the safety time period to less than three
minutes. Because the mirror is a 3x
magnifying mirror, a further distance does
allow proper viewing of one's own face, as
well as an appropriate distance for the
operator to see and assess the client's face.
Have your client sit up and look in the
mirror from a normal, comfortable height and a
distance equal to half the internal depth
distance within Machine. In short,
make sure your exposure distance is no closer
than 4 inches from the bulbs and your exposure
time is no longer than 5 minutes.
Protection against black blue light is simple.
Those who are exposed to the light for
prolonged periods of time should be protected.
We recommend that you provide the client with
a pair of UV coated clear glasses to
wear while the assessment is being conducted.
This will provide an added measure of safety
for any client who may still show some
concern. After the client has entered
the machine and can see the pigmented colors
briefly, suggest they close their eyes during
the main part of the assessment, and reopen
them for the evaluation by the SkinD.R.™
Consultant.
Medications may cause photosensitivity,
therefore inquire if the client is taking any,
and if so recommend not to conduct the
assessment at that time. If for any
reason the client may have any concern,
respect their wishes not to continue with the
assessment.
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