Noah Sinclair
Gel manicures are a popular choice for those seeking long-lasting, chip-free nail polish. However, the process involves UV exposure, which can increase the risk of skin cancer and cause premature skin ageing. The removal process can also be damaging to nails, causing brittleness, peeling and cracking. To mitigate these risks, dermatologists recommend taking breaks between gel manicures, rehydrating nails with moisturising products, and being proactive with your manicurist about any concerns. Additionally, it is important to protect your skin with sunscreen or UV-protective gloves during the curing process. While gel manicures offer a shiny and durable finish, it is crucial to be aware of the potential risks and take appropriate precautions to maintain nail and skin health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Application Process | Gel nail polish involves curing under a UV lamp |
| Durability | Long-lasting, rarely chips |
| Removal | Difficult to remove, requires soaking or filing |
| Health Impact | Can cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking |
| Health Impact | Increases risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging due to UV exposure |
| Health Precautions | Dermatologists recommend taking breaks between gel manicures |
| Health Precautions | Use of sunscreen or UV-protective gloves during UV exposure is advised |
| Health Precautions | Avoid cutting or pushing cuticles |
| Appearance | Flawless, shiny finish |
| Price | More expensive than regular nail polish |
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What You'll Learn
The dangers of UV exposure
Nail protect gel is a term that is not clearly defined. However, assuming that it refers to gels used for manicures, the following paragraphs discuss the dangers of UV exposure during the curing process of gel manicures.
The UV curing process is essential for hardening gel nail polish, but it comes with certain risks. UV exposure accelerates skin ageing, leading to wrinkles and sunspots, also known as hyperpigmentation. These sunspots appear as dark patches on the skin and are a direct result of repeated UV exposure. While the UV exposure from gel nail curing is relatively low compared to other sources, the cumulative effect over time can still be harmful.
Prolonged UV exposure has been linked to an increased risk of skin cancer. A study by Maria Zhivagui of UC San Diego and her team found that UV nail dryers can damage DNA and mutate cells, confirming dermatologists' safety concerns. Over the years, there have been cases of frequent gel polish users reporting rare cancers on their nails and fingers.
To minimise the risks associated with gel nail polish, precautionary measures are essential. One simple way to protect your skin is by applying sunscreen to your hands before your gel nail appointment. It is recommended to use an SPF 30 or higher mineral sunscreen that contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. You can also wear UV-protective fingerless gloves during the curing process, which expose your nail bed while keeping the rest of your hand protected.
There are also alternative options to consider if you want to avoid UV exposure altogether. Some brands offer long-lasting, fast-drying gel polishes that do not need to be cured by UV light. Dip powders are another option, which are applied directly to the nails and air-dried. Traditional nail polish is always an option, which will harden and dry without any UV light.
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How to remove gel nail polish safely
Although gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, they can 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 ageing on the hands. Therefore, it is important to know how to remove gel nail polish safely.
The best way to remove gel nail polish is to let your nails grow out. Clipping them once a week will help prevent the nails from catching on clothing and other objects. If you choose this option, you need to resist the urge to pick at your gel nail polish. Picking and scraping off the polish can damage your nails.
If you are looking for a quicker fix, acetone is the most effective way to remove gel nail polish at home. To protect your nails, you should file off as much of the gel as possible before applying the acetone, as the thinner the gel, the less material there is for the acetone to penetrate, and the faster the gel will loosen from your nail. However, you must exercise extreme caution so that you do not file the surface of the nail plate.
When applying acetone, you should use plastic food wrap rather than aluminium foil. Plastic creates a tighter seal, so the acetone is less likely to drip. You should also only soak your fingertips in acetone, or use cotton balls to apply it, to protect the surrounding skin. After about 10-15 minutes, the gel nail polish should come right off.
After removing the plastic wrap, use a wet washcloth to gently rub off any remaining polish, taking care to only rub the nail. Finally, wash your hands with a gentle soap and water to remove the acetone.
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Nail care between gel manicures
Gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, but they can also be tough on nails. The temporary nail damage from gel manicures is bad, but the cumulative UV exposure is worse, increasing your risk of skin cancer and causing premature skin ageing on your hands. Gel manicures can also cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking.
To keep your nails healthy before, during, and after gel manicures, dermatologists recommend the following:
Take a break from nail polish
Try not to wear nail polish for one to two weeks or longer. This will allow your nails time to repair.
Rehydrate your nails
Apply a moisturising product, such as petroleum jelly, to your nails and cuticles several times daily. This will minimise brittleness and help prevent your nails from chipping.
Apply cuticle oil
Using a cuticle oil softens and hydrates your cuticles. Every drop softens cuticles with jojoba and coconut oils while protecting them with vitamin E. Spend a full minute massaging the oil into the cuticle. Less is more when applying cuticle oil. Don't wash your hands for 20 minutes after applying to allow for absorption.
Wear gloves
Keep your hands and nails, including the cuticles, cared for by wearing gloves when doing the dishes or other housework to protect the lustre and wear of your manicure.
Be proactive with your manicurist
Ensure your manicurist isn't using an electric file, as these can be damaging. Also, don't peel your nails—if you must remove them, use acetone and nourish your nails with oil afterward.
Protect your hands from UV exposure
Most nail salons don't offer sunscreen as part of their gel manicure services, so bring your own and ask that they apply it before the nail-painting process begins. Opt for an SPF 30 or higher mineral sunscreen that contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. You can also purchase UV-protective fingerless gloves, which expose your nail bed while keeping the rest of your hand protected.
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The benefits of gel nail polish
Gel nail polish is a type of lacquer applied to natural nails. It is cured under a UV or LED lamp to harden and set the polish, making it more durable and long-lasting than traditional nail polish.
Longevity and Durability
One of the most well-known benefits of gel nail polish is its longevity. Gel manicures can last up to three or even four weeks without chipping or peeling, providing intense shine and high gloss finish throughout their lifespan. This makes it a cost-effective and time-saving option, as you won't need to visit the salon as frequently for touch-ups or new manicures.
Quick Drying
Gel nail polish dries quickly, often in just around 60 seconds, which is significantly faster than regular nail polish, which can take up to an hour to dry completely. This means no more worrying about smudges or waiting around for your nails to dry.
Versatility and Aesthetics
Gel nail polish is available in a wide range of vibrant, rich colours and can be used to create various nail art designs, such as the popular gel polish marble effect or incorporating glitter. It provides a smooth, glossy finish that makes your nails look freshly manicured, even after several days.
Strength and Protection
Gel nail polish can strengthen and protect weak or brittle nails. It acts as a natural barrier against dirt and pollutants, helping to shield your nails from the wear and tear of daily life.
Despite the benefits, it is important to note that gel manicures can have some negative effects on nail health. They can cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking, and repeated UV exposure during the curing process can increase the risk of skin cancer and premature skin ageing. Dermatologists recommend taking breaks between gel manicures and giving your nails time to repair and rehydrate.
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The chemistry behind gel nail polish
Gel nail polish is an alternative to conventional nail polish that consists of methacrylate compounds and photoinitiating compounds such as benzoyl peroxide. The process of applying gel nail polish involves curing the polish under UV light, which can cause temporary nail damage and cumulative UV exposure, increasing the risk of skin cancer.
Gel nail polish is composed of oligomers and monomers, which harden under UV light. The photoinitiators absorb energy from the UV light, causing the molecules to become still and forming the gel nail. After curing, the top coat of the gel nail polish may be slightly sticky due to the inhibition layer, which can be removed by rubbing a cotton ball with an acetone/water mixture to achieve a final shine.
Additionally, gel nail polish contains plasticisers, which are compounds added to prevent the polish from cracking or chipping easily. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) was once a widely used plasticiser, but its use has been banned in the EU and phased out in the US due to concerns over potential interference with the human hormone system. Alternative plasticisers, such as camphor, glyceryl tribenzoate, and triphenylphosphate (TPPP), have been introduced, but some of these alternatives have also raised concerns about hormone disruption.
While gel nail polish can provide a sleek and long-lasting manicure, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with UV exposure and the controversial chemicals used in the formulation. As with any cosmetic procedure, moderation is key, and it is recommended to seek professional advice from dermatologists for healthy nail care practices.
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Frequently asked questions
A gel manicure is a type of manicure that uses gel nail polish to create a flawless, shiny finish that lasts for weeks and rarely chips.
Unlike regular nail polish, gel nail polish is hardened using a special curing lamp. It is also more expensive and harder to remove.
Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking. They can also increase the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging due to UV exposure.
You can protect your skin by applying sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher before the nail-painting process. You can also use UV-protective fingerless gloves to keep your hands protected.
