The Hidden Health Risks of Gel Manicures
Gel manicures have become the preferred nail manicure for many women in recent years, replacing traditional nail polish that has been around since the early 1900s. One of the reasons is that gel manicures last 2-3 times longer than regular manicures (up to 4 weeks) and retain their glossy finish. Sounds good and safe, right?
In fact, gel manicures can last so long because your nails are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light multiple times during the manicure process, which helps the gel dry faster. If you get gel manicures often, consider how many times your nails have been exposed to UV rays.
Take the story, told here 1, of Lauren Ann's best friend who regularly got her gel manicure done and ended up developing a skin cancer called melanoma. Lauren Ann says, "Before her diagnosis, I hadn't given much thought to the dangers of UV light so close to the fingers/nails, especially with a newer chemical compound (gel). She went to see a dermatologist. He diagnosed her with a rare form of cancer, and she underwent surgery. Even though she's missing her tenth fingernail badly, she's lucky the cancer hasn't spread."
Lauren Ann's best friend has contracted skin cancer, and she's warning anyone who frequently gets gel manicures to be mindful of the harmful effects of UV rays.
Are nail lamps really linked to skin cancer?
Elizabeth K. Hale, vice president of the Skin Cancer Foundation, published a report on the risks of nail lamps, which states the following: 2
“Nail lamps that emit ultraviolet rays are now a part of most trips to the nail salon, leading many clients to question the safety of manicures. These lamps are typically used for regular, quick-drying manicures, and they are actually necessary to set gel manicures. Some nail lamps are called “UV” lamps, and some are called LED lamps, but both emit UV rays. They primarily produce UVA rays, which have been linked to premature skin aging and skin cancer. However, even the most intense of these devices pose only a moderate UV risk—a risk far lower than that of UV tanning devices.”
To play it safe with gel manicures, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends applying a broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen to your hands 20 minutes before exposure to ultraviolet rays. However, even this precaution does not protect against subungual (under the nail) squamous cell carcinoma, a rare but potentially aggressive form of skin cancer. If you get manicures regularly, the safest bet is to let your nails air dry naturally, avoiding drying lamps altogether, or to use an air blower or fan without a UV lamp. Keep in mind that all nail lamps produce UV rays.
Growing evidence from independent sources suggests that there is an increased risk of melanoma/skin cancer with regular use of UV/LED nail lamps that outweighs evidence from biased researchers that suggests this is not the case. The limited literature reported on this topic is controversial and further studies on the potential carcinogenic risk of UV nail lamps are warranted. However, a study published in January 2023 demonstrates that radiation emitted by UV nail polish dryers can both damage DNA and permanently etch mutations onto the genomes of primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts, human foreskin fibroblasts, and human epidermal keratinocytes. 3
Tips for the Safest Manicure
Switching to regular polish might seem like a better option to avoid the dangers of gel nail polish when your nails are under the lamp?
Regular nail polishes come with their own set of dangers. In a research study of toxic chemicals in 24 women, 100% of participants showed signs of triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) after 10 hours of nail polish application. This statistic is alarming because TPHP disrupts the human endocrine system, which controls our hormones, and poses serious health risks to anyone exposed to it. 4
It is therefore recommended to paint your nails with a non-toxic varnish. Maison Jacynthe offers nail polishes that are made from 85% natural ingredients.
- Free from 20 potentially harmful ingredients: Formaldehyde - Formaldehyde Resin - Dibutyl Phthalate - Toluene - Camphor - Ethyl Tosylamide - Xylene - Triphenyl Phosphate - Parabens - Bismuth - Methylisothiazolinone - Hydroquinone Monomethyl Ether - Gluten - Fragrance - Animal Derivatives - Phthalates - Palm Oil - Sulfates - Bisphenol-A - Acetone
- 100% organic and vegan : made from environmentally friendly ingredients.
For a safe nail care routine, choosing Maison Jacynthe is undoubtedly a smart choice!
References:
3. Zhivagui, M., Hoda, A., Valenzuela, N. et al. DNA damage and somatic mutations in mammalian cells after irradiation with a nail polish dryer. Nat Commun 14, 276 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-35876-8
4. Mendelsohn E, Hagopian A, Hoffman K, Butt CM, Lorenzo A, Congleton J, Webster TF, Stapleton HM. Nail polish as a source of exposure to triphenyl phosphate. Approx Int. 2016 Jan;86:45-51. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2015.10.005. Epub 2015 Oct 18. PMID: 26485058; PMCID: PMC4662901.
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