Irradiation from ultraviolet (UV) nail polish dryers used to dry and cure gel nails may raise the chance of developing skin cancer, according to a study released last month by researchers at the University of California.
These findings indicate that the artificial UV-A radiation emitted by these widespread devices is more dangerous than previously thought.
Does UV Nail Polish Harm Human Cells?
UV-A light is frequently used in gel nail polish dryers and other UV devices. This is because, while sunshine generates UV light across the entire spectrum, including UV-A and UV-B wavelengths, the latter has been shown to directly damage and change DNA.
UV devices were thought to be safe to use since they avoided the use of UV-B radiation in favor of UV-A, which had not been associated to direct DNA damage. UV-A light has been discovered to indirectly harm DNA, according to new research from UC San Diego experts.
Dr. Maria Zhivagui, the study’s lead author and a postdoctoral scholar of environmental toxicology specializing in cancer research, defines these reactive oxygen species as harmful when generated by the mitochondria, which are made dysfunctional by the UV-A drier.
Zhivagui points out that nail salons often have more powerful UV devices than the ones used in the study, which means that even if they are used for less time in the salon than in the lab, the energy of the exposure may be higher.
According to the findings, repeated UV radiation exposure harms human cells. Nevertheless, it cannot definitively link it to an increased risk of skin malignancies — though it does cite previous research that relates gene abnormalities to an increased risk of cancer.
Gel manicures are relatively new, and DNA damage often takes time to accumulate — so it’s completely likely that more skin cancer cases linked to UV dryers could emerge in the future years, according to Dr. Shari Lipner, a dermatologist and director of the Weill Cornell Medical Nail Division.
While people are accustomed to checking their moles for signs of melanoma, Lipner emphasizes that the type of skin cancer connected to UV dryers is squamous cell carcinoma, which looks very different and is clearly rough to the touch.
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Keeping Yourself Safe When Getting Nail Polish
There are precautions you may take to keep yourself safe during gel manicures and pedicures, as well as alternatives.
Because some cosmetics, fragrances, and skin care products can enhance your susceptibility to UV radiation, the FDA recommends limiting dryer use to 10 minutes each hand and removing cosmetics, fragrances, and skincare products before to use. Sunscreen is the one notable exception.
Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your hands about 20 minutes before they are exposed to UV light, according to experts. Lipner advises people to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and to cover the tops of their hands, feet, fingers, and toes as needed.
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