Isla Bennett
Gel nail polish is a popular choice for many due to its longevity and convenience. However, concerns have been raised about the potential health risks associated with the application process, specifically the use of UV lamps, and whether this increases the risk of skin cancer. While the gel polish itself is not considered a direct cause of skin cancer, the UV light exposure during the curing process has been a topic of discussion and research. The level of risk from UV radiation is influenced by the frequency of manicures and the duration of UV exposure, with longer exposure times resulting in harder nail polish finishes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does gel nail polish cause skin cancer? | There is no evidence that gel nail polish itself causes skin cancer. |
| What about the lamps used to cure gel nail polish? | The UV lamps used to cure gel nail polish emit UV radiation, which is a known risk factor for skin cancer. |
| How can you protect yourself from UV radiation during a gel manicure? | You can protect your hands from UV radiation during a gel manicure by wearing gloves or applying sunscreen. |
| Are there any alternatives to gel nail polish that don't require UV curing? | Regular nail polish can air dry and does not require a UV light. |
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What You'll Learn
The UV light from gel nail lamps can cause skin cancer
While the gel nail polish itself has not been associated with an increased risk of cancer, the UV lamps used to cure or harden the polish have raised concerns. These lamps emit ultraviolet (UV) light, specifically UVA radiation, which is known to play a major role in the development of cancer.
UVA radiation can damage cells and increase the risk of skin cancers such as squamous cell and basal cell cancer. The level of risk depends on the frequency of manicures and the cumulative UV exposure over time. There is also a concern about the lack of regulation regarding the use of these lamps, with no standard for how long hands should be exposed or how intense the light should be.
In a case study, two women with no personal or family history of skin cancer reported developing the disease after exposure to UV nail lamps. While experts cannot say with certainty that the lamps caused their cancer, they believe it could be a risk factor. Additionally, researchers have found that repeated use of nail lamps over a two- to three-and-a-half-year period could expose clients to radiation levels capable of causing DNA damage to the skin.
To reduce the risk of skin cancer, it is recommended to limit the frequency of gel manicures and to protect the hands during the process. This can be done by applying sunscreen to the hands before the manicure and wearing fingerless gloves or manicure gloves with the fingertips cut off.
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The risk of skin cancer increases with the frequency of gel manicures
The UV lamps used to dry gel nail polish emit ultraviolet radiation, similar to the natural UV radiation produced by the sun. This UV light can damage cells and increase the risk of skin cancers such as squamous cell and basal cell cancer. The level of risk is dependent on the frequency of manicures.
The more frequently you get gel manicures, the more often your hands are exposed to UV radiation. This increases the potential for skin cancer. In addition, the longer your hands are exposed to the UV light during each manicure, the higher the risk. There is a concern about the cumulative effect of UV exposure from gel manicures.
A 2014 study in JAMA Dermatology indicated that the level of UVA exposure associated with a gel manicure every two weeks probably isn't high enough to increase the risk of skin cancer significantly. However, the study also noted that there are ways to protect your hands from UVA exposure during a gel manicure. For example, you can apply a waterproof sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher to your hands before your manicure. You can also wear gloves with the fingertips cut off to cover your hands while they are under the UV lamp.
To reduce the risk of skin cancer, it is recommended to limit the frequency of gel manicures and to prioritize regular nail polish, which does not require a UV light to dry.
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Ways to protect your hands from UV light during a manicure
While gel nail polish itself has not been associated with an increased risk of cancer, the UV lamps used to seal the polish during professional manicures have raised concerns. These lamps emit high levels of UVA radiation, which can play a role in the development of skin cancer and cause premature aging and wrinkles.
- Use sunscreen: Applying a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a zinc oxide concentration of 8% or higher and an SPF of 30 or higher can help protect your hands from UV rays. It is recommended to apply the sunscreen 15 minutes to 30 minutes before your manicure to give it enough time to absorb into your skin.
- Wear UV-protective gloves: Gloves specifically designed to protect against UV light, such as ManiGlovz®, can be worn during your manicure. These gloves are made with UPF 50+ fabric to block UV radiation and come in fingerless or full-hand coverage options.
- Use LED lights: LED lights emit lower levels of UV radiation than traditional UV curing lights, reducing your exposure. They also harden the polish faster, further decreasing your UV light exposure.
- Limit the frequency of gel manicures: Getting gel manicures only on special occasions can reduce your overall UV light exposure. This lowers the cumulative risk associated with frequent UV light exposure.
- Choose traditional nail polish: Opting for traditional nail polish instead of gel polish eliminates the need for UV light exposure during the manicure process. This is a simple way to avoid UV light altogether.
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The cumulative effect of UV exposure from gel manicures
The UV lamps used to dry gel nail polish emit ultraviolet radiation, similar to the sun's UV radiation and that of tanning beds. The longer the hands are exposed to the UV light, the higher the potential for skin cancer.
The UV light from nail lamps can damage cells and increase the risk of skin cancers such as squamous cell and basal cell cancer. The level of risk depends on the frequency of manicures and the length of exposure to the UV lamp. In a case study, two women with no personal or family history of skin cancer reported skin cancer after UV lamp exposure during manicures. Experts cannot say for sure that UV lamps caused their skin cancer, but they believe it could be a risk factor.
Repeated use of nail lamps, from 8 to 14 times over a two- to three-and-a-half-year period, has been found to expose clients to radiation levels capable of causing DNA damage to the skin. The concern is that the cumulative effect of this UV exposure from gel manicures over time could increase the risk of skin cancer.
To reduce the potential risk of skin cancer from gel manicures, it is recommended to limit the frequency of gel manicures and to protect the hands during the process. This can be done by applying sunscreen to the hands before the manicure and wearing gloves with the fingertips cut off to cover the hands during UV lamp exposure.
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The risk of skin cancer from gel manicures is trivial
While gel manicures have been linked to an increased risk of skin cancer, the actual threat of cancer is trivial. The primary concern is the UV light from lamps and lightboxes used to cure the polish, not the polish itself. These UV lights emit UVA radiation, which is known to play a significant role in the development of cancer. However, the level of UVA exposure during a gel manicure is relatively low and probably insufficient to significantly increase the risk of skin cancer.
The risk of skin cancer from gel manicures depends on the frequency of manicures and the duration of UV light exposure. The more frequent the manicures and the longer the exposure, the higher the potential risk. Additionally, the lack of regulation in the intensity of light and curing time in nail salons contributes to the uncertainty about the exact risk level.
To put it into perspective, tests have shown that nail lamps pose a much lower risk for skin cancer than direct sunlight. Nail lamps were found to be 11 to 46 times less risky than direct sun exposure. This suggests that while there may be some risk associated with gel manicures, it is relatively small compared to other sources of UV light exposure.
It is worth noting that there are ways to mitigate the risk of skin cancer from gel manicures. For instance, wearing fingerless gloves or using sunscreen on the hands before a manicure can provide protection from UV light exposure. Additionally, opting for LED lights instead of UV curing lights can reduce UV radiation exposure as LED lights emit lower levels of UV radiation and cure the polish faster, reducing overall exposure time.
In summary, while gel manicures have been associated with an increased risk of skin cancer, the overall threat is considered trivial. The risk is primarily attributed to the UV light exposure during the curing process, and there are simple measures that can be taken to minimize this risk. As with any potential health concern, moderation is key, and it may be advisable to reserve gel manicures for special occasions.
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Frequently asked questions
The gel polish itself hasn't been associated with an increased risk of cancer. However, lamps and light boxes, which are used to seal the polish during professional manicures, have raised concern. That's because many emit fairly high levels of UVA radiation, which plays a major role in the development of cancer.
You can protect your hands by applying a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a zinc oxide concentration of 8% or higher and an SPF of 30 or higher to your hands before your manicure. You can also put on dark gloves with the fingertips snipped off before the technician applies the polish.
In addition to sunscreen and gloves, you can use an LED light to harden the polish. You can also reserve gel manicures for special occasions and opt for regular nail polish in between.
