The use of tanning devices that emit UV rays is carcinogenic to humans. We all know that UV radiation, including UVA, UVB and UVC rays, can be hazardous to our health. This has left many people wondering about the potential risks of skin cancer when getting a manicure with a UV lamp. These lamps are usually used to dry regular manicures quickly and are necessary for fixing gel manicures.
They are often referred to as “UV lamps” or “LED lamps”, but both emit UV radiation, primarily UVA rays. These rays have been linked to premature skin aging and skin cancer. However, even the most intense devices present only a moderate risk of UV radiation, much lower than that posed by UV tanning devices. Dr. Zhivagui said the study doesn't prove that UV lamps can cause cancer.
Laboratory cells are more vulnerable to damage than cells in a person's hands, which have a thick outer layer of skin made of dead cells that helps protect against environmental damage. According to experts, based on current (limited) research, the risk of developing skin cancer from UV nail lights is low. Rossi says that the amount of UV light that causes sunburn and skin mutations that can cause skin cancer is difficult to quantify, so the exact amount of harmful exposure can vary from person to person. While gel manicure can theoretically increase the risk of developing skin cancer from exposure to UV light, all the experts SELF spoke to agree that there are not yet enough studies to establish a definitive cause-and-effect connection. Most enamel curing devices are labeled “UV” or “LED,” but it's a common misconception that LED light doesn't emit ultraviolet light, Angela Kim, DO, a board-certified dermatologist in Yurba, California, and a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, explains to SELF. If you do a manicure regularly, the safest thing to do is to let your nails air dry naturally, completely avoiding drying lamps or using an air blower or fan without UV lights. Health experts agree that UV light damages skin cells, but there isn't enough data yet to determine how dangerous an occasional gel manicure can be, said Dr.
UV lamps are essential for gel manicures because light makes nail polish harder and more durable. Usually, an immersion manicure doesn't require a UV lamp, but some stylists may add an additional layer of gel at the end to make the manicure last longer, in which case a UV lamp would be used. UV light damages DNA, which can cause mutations that play a key role in the development of different types of skin cancer, according to Anthony M. Even if the chances of developing cancer from a nail lamp are low, it's always a good idea to protect your skin from exposure to UV light. Taioli lists tanning beds, certain types of lasers, mercury vapor lamps (often used in school stadiums and gyms), as well as some halogen, fluorescent, and incandescent lights as potential sources of harmful UV radiation. In conclusion, while new research shows that UV light from nail lamps can be harmful to your health, you don't have to cancel your next appointment just yet.
The amount of UV light that causes sunburn and skin mutations that can cause skin cancer is difficult to quantify and there isn't enough data yet to determine how dangerous an occasional gel manicure can be. However, it's always a good idea to protect your skin from exposure to UV light by letting your nails air dry naturally or using an air blower or fan without UV lights.
