Noah Sinclair
While gel nail polish is a popular choice for its long-lasting, chip-free finish, it may not be the best option for your nails or skin. The curing process involves exposure to ultraviolet A (UVA) rays, which can cause skin ageing and DNA damage that may lead to skin cancer. Additionally, the chemical composition of gel nail polish can cause allergic reactions, such as contact dermatitis, and the removal process can result in temporary nail damage. With these potential risks in mind, it is worth considering whether the occasional gel manicure for special occasions is worth the potential harm to your nails and skin. In the discussion of gel nails causing acne, it is important to note that nail cosmetics allergies can lead to allergic contact dermatitis, which can cause acne not only around the nail area but also on the eyelids, mouth, chin, and sides of the neck.
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What You'll Learn
- Gel nail polish contains chemicals that can cause allergic reactions, like rashes and hives
- The curing process involves exposure to UV rays, which can cause skin ageing and increase the risk of skin cancer
- Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling, cracking and mechanical damage
- The tools used to apply and remove gel nails can cause damage if not properly sterilised, leading to fungal or bacterial infections
- The strong solvents used in nail enamel removers can irritate and dry the nail plate and surrounding skin
Gel nail polish contains chemicals that can cause allergic reactions, like rashes and hives
While gel nail polish is generally harmless, it does contain certain chemicals that can cause allergic reactions in some individuals. These reactions can manifest as rashes and hives, among other symptoms.
Gel nail polish contains two reactive ingredients, monomers and photoinitiators, which belong to the chemical families known as acrylates and methacrylates. These substances are classified as skin sensitisers, meaning that if they are absorbed into the skin, they may trigger an allergic response. This can occur even if the skin comes into contact with gel polish accidentally, underscoring the importance of avoiding any contact between the gel polish and the skin during application.
The allergic reactions to gel nail polish can vary in terms of location and timing. Skin allergies to nail products often manifest in areas that are frequently touched, such as the eyelids, mouth, chin, and sides of the neck. In some cases, the reaction may appear as a rash on the eyelids or cheeks, causing redness, swelling, and intense irritation. These reactions can take anywhere from 48 hours to several months to develop after the polish is applied.
It is important to note that once the gel nail polish causing the allergic reaction is removed, the symptoms will typically subside within days or weeks. However, in some cases, medical intervention may be necessary, with treatments such as steroid creams or pills being prescribed to alleviate the symptoms.
To minimise the risk of an allergic reaction, it is recommended to opt for traditional nail polish instead of gel polish. Additionally, spacing out gel manicures and taking breaks in between can help give your nails and skin a chance to recover.
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The curing process involves exposure to UV rays, which can cause skin ageing and increase the risk of skin cancer
While gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, they can be harmful to your nails and skin. The curing process involves exposure to UV rays, which can cause skin ageing and increase the risk of skin cancer.
Gel nail polish is cured under a UV or LED lamp, and this process is not without risks. The lamps emit ultraviolet radiation, specifically ultraviolet A (UVA) rays, which are known to cause skin ageing and DNA damage that can lead to skin cancer. This cumulative UV exposure is a concern, as it can increase the risk of skin cancer with prolonged and frequent use. While the risk from the UV lamps used in nail salons may be lower than that of sun exposure, it is important to consider the amount of UV exposure your hands receive during daily activities, such as driving.
To protect your hands from UV exposure during a gel manicure, it is recommended to apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher before the nail-painting process. Mineral sunscreens containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are suggested as they act faster than chemical sunscreens. Additionally, you can wear dark, opaque gloves with the fingertips cut off before the nail polish is applied.
It is worth noting that the tools used during gel manicures can also impact your skin's health. It is crucial to ensure that the manicurist sterilizes their tools and cleans them after each client. Cutting or pushing the cuticle can lead to inflammation and infection, so this should be avoided. Furthermore, the chemicals in gel nail polish, such as acrylate and methacrylate, can cause allergic reactions like contact dermatitis, rash, and hives.
To maintain nail health, dermatologists recommend taking breaks between gel manicures. Allowing your nails to repair and rehydrate is essential, and you can achieve this by not wearing nail polish for one to two weeks or longer and applying moisturizing products to your nails and cuticles. While gel manicures may be tempting for their durability, it is important to be mindful of the potential risks to your skin and nail health and take the necessary precautions.
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Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling, cracking and mechanical damage
While gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, they can also be tough on nails. Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking, and repeated use can increase the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging on the hands.
The damage that occurs with gel manicures is mainly mechanical. This can happen in several ways, such as forcefully scraping off the product during removal instead of allowing it to release, and then aggressively filing again after removal. Picking and peeling off the gel polish can also cause damage. The tools used to apply and remove gel nails can also cause harm if they are not properly sterilized, as there is a risk of fungal or bacterial infections.
The UV or LED lights used to cure gel nail polish emit UV radiation, which has been linked to premature skin aging and skin cancer. While the risk is lower than from sun exposure, prolonged and frequent use could potentially increase the risk of skin cancer. It is recommended to wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher on your hands before getting a gel manicure to prevent this.
To keep your nails healthy before, during, and after gel manicures, dermatologists recommend being proactive with your manicurist. Ask if their tools are sterilized, and ensure they are cleaning and disinfecting tools after every client. It is also important to never let your manicurist push or cut your cuticle, as this could lead to inflammation and infection.
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The tools used to apply and remove gel nails can cause damage if not properly sterilised, leading to fungal or bacterial infections
While gel nails are a popular choice for their durability and longevity, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with their application and removal. One of the main concerns is the damage that can be caused by the tools used in the process if they are not properly sterilised. This includes tools used both during the application and removal of gel nails, such as files and scrapers.
Dermatologist Harikiran Chekuri, MBBS, MS, emphasises the importance of tool sterilisation, stating that "if tools are not properly sterilised, there's a risk of fungal or bacterial infections". This risk is heightened by the fact that gel nail services often involve some level of mechanical damage to the nails, such as forceful scraping or aggressive filing, which can create openings for these infections to enter.
To ensure the tools used during your gel nail service are safe, it is recommended to ask your manicurist if their tools are sterilised and to observe whether they are cleaning and disinfecting the tools after each client. It is also important to be mindful of the UV or LED lights used to cure gel nail polish, as these emit UV radiation, which has been linked to premature skin ageing and an increased risk of skin cancer. Therefore, it is advisable to limit the frequency of gel manicures and to apply sunscreen to your hands before the procedure to minimise potential damage.
In addition to the risks posed by the tools and curing process, the chemicals in gel nail polishes themselves can also cause issues. These polishes often contain acrylate and methacrylate, which have been linked to allergic reactions, including rash (contact dermatitis) and, less commonly, hives (urticaria). Thus, it is important to be mindful of the potential risks associated with gel nails and to prioritise nail health by giving your nails breaks between manicures and following proper removal procedures.
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The strong solvents used in nail enamel removers can irritate and dry the nail plate and surrounding skin
While gel nails are not directly linked to acne, the process of applying and removing them can cause nail and skin issues. The strong solvents used in nail enamel removers can irritate and dry out the nail plate and the surrounding skin.
Nail enamel removers contain chemicals such as acetone, ethanol, isopropanol, and ethyl acetate, which are designed to break down and strip the nail enamel from the nail plate surface. These solvents can lead to dryness, cracking, peeling, and irritation of the skin, and nails can become dry, brittle, and flaky. The cuticle skin, which acts as a protector of the nail, can dry out, leading to cracking, peeling, and even bleeding.
Acetone, a key ingredient in many nail polish removers, is not considered toxic, but it can be dangerous if ingested. It is the most effective and fast-acting nail polish remover on the market. However, it can cause the skin of the fingertips to dry out and turn white immediately after use. Non-acetone removers, on the other hand, tend to be less aggressive and more gentle on the skin and nails, but they may require more effort and time to remove the nail polish.
To protect the skin and nails from the harsh effects of nail enamel removers, it is recommended to apply a barrier cream or lotion before use and to wash your hands thoroughly afterward. It is also important to read labels and choose products that are specifically formulated for nails and do not contain harsh chemicals.
Additionally, the process of removing gel nails can be tough on nails. It is recommended to soak the fingertips in acetone or other solvents for 10-15 minutes to remove gel manicures. This prolonged exposure to solvents can further irritate and dry out the nails and surrounding skin. Aggressive filing, forceful scraping, and picking or peeling off the gel polish can also cause mechanical damage to the nails.
To maintain nail health, dermatologists suggest taking breaks between gel manicures and applying moisturizing products to rehydrate the nails and cuticles.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no evidence to suggest that gel nails cause acne. However, the chemicals in gel nail polish can cause allergic reactions such as rashes and hives. In addition, the curing process involves exposure to ultraviolet A (UVA) rays, which can cause skin ageing and increase the risk of skin cancer.
Gel nails can cause nail brittleness, peeling, cracking, and mechanical damage. The tools used to apply and remove gel nails can also cause nail damage if not properly sterilised, leading to fungal or bacterial infections.
To minimise the risks associated with gel nails, it is recommended to:
- Allow time between manicures for your nails to recover
- Be proactive with your manicurist and ensure tools are sterilised
- Never let your manicurist push or cut your cuticles
- Do not pick at the polish or use other nails or tools to remove it
- Wear sunscreen to protect your hands from UVA rays
Traditional nail polish can be used as an alternative to gel nails. It is important to note that acetone is required to remove gel polish, so those with an allergy to acetone should consider traditional nail polish instead.
