Like all UV lights, tanning lights produce large amounts of ultraviolet. Ultraviolet is very bad for your eyes, causes cataracts, and can make you go blind over time. We aren't saying this because the lawyers are making us, it is just the truth, and you need to be aware of this when creating your own curing rig.
Here is the nut of it: When your skin gets too much UV, you get a bit of a sunburn, your skin then produces melanin, which the UVA oxides and turns a pleasing tan color, which provides protection from further exposure. Your eyes can't produce melanin, so when you expose them to UV, they just get damaged. More exposure just damages them more.
Your curing rig MUST block all light from escaping. Blocking only one side, but allowing the UV to hit a wall and be reflected back into the general room is not a good idea. Being in a room where humans and/or animals can visually see the lamps or reflected light is also not a good idea. Working around the lights often when they are on is worse: it is a stupid idea. The damage is cumulative, and while you don't notice it at first, or even for a while, it is burning away your retinas. Don't do it.
High quality sunglasses (read: not dollar store brands) that block 100% of UVB and UVA is an acceptable way to briefly work on a rig when the lights are on, but you need something that will prevent light from entering the sides of the glasses for regular working. Of course, if you are never in the room/rig when the lights are on, it isn't an issue, but you have to check to make sure the lights work at least every now and then. For prolonged exposure to the UV, you should only use something like in the image above. They aren't sexy, but they will prevent vision loss.
Ask for a pair or two when you order your lamps. Ask nice enough and we will just throw in a pair free, your eyes are too important to haggle over.
