Gel nail polish has fast become the standard for women looking to extend the life of their manicure. It is longwearing, chip resistance and is available in a wide assortment of colors. But this popular beauty trend is also stirring debate around the dangers of exposing nails, fingers and hands to UV light, a necessary step to set, or “cure,” the gel polish. There is growing concern that the UV light, similar to that in a tanning bed, may put people at risk for developing skin cancer.
Before this cancer scare, the major complaint of gel polish users was thinning, peeling, and brittleness of nails; a possible result of soaking fingers in acetone during the removal process or of the chemicals in the polish. Women now find themselves wondering if the downside is even more serious.
The American Academy of Dermatology recently issued a press release in which Dr. Chris Adigun, assistant professor of dermatology at the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at the New York University School of Medicine advised, “Women who frequently get gel manicures should consider their skin cancer risk because the UV light needed to cure the gel manicure is a risk factor for skin cancer. In addition, photo damage from UV lamps could result in cosmetic changes to the exposed surrounding skin.”
However, she also noted that occasional gel manicures do not pose a serious threat to nail health, but women who frequently receive these manicures should be aware of the potential risks with repeated use. She advised women to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen on hands to minimize photodamage as a result of UV exposure during the curing process.
Once again, it seems that moderation is the key. But for women who don’t want to introduce the risk at all, one option is acrylic dipping powder. It goes over your own nail and provides a durable, long-lasting finish. While it may still have some of the disadvantages of gel, such as weakening of nails, there is no UV light required.
