Gel Manicure Cancer? UV Drying Technique May Lead To Health Problems, Study Finds (VIDEO)

We'd hate to rain on your OPI parade, but you may want to reconsider your biweekly manicure, especially if it's a gel one.

According to a 2009 article published in Archives of Dermatology, the quick drying, long lasting effect of gel manicures obtained through UV lights can increase your risk of cancer due to the typical 10-minute duration your hand is exposed to the nail lamps. The article looked at two cases of women who developed skin cancer on the backs of their hands, allegedly caused by repeated exposure to UV nail lamps.

Credited dermatologists like Anna M. Bender of John Hopkins University, do acknowledge that the lights can pose a health risk, but they offer an easy solution:

“Artificial UV light does elevate your risk for developing skin cancer. So people could use a sunscreen to try to block the UV from their surrounding skin.”

However, these supposed dangers of gel manicures aren't limited to the fancier nail treatments: many salons use the UV lights for regular manicures as a quick dry solution. So, manicure-loving ladies: you might be jeopardizing your health no matter what.

As if we fashionistas didn't have enough problems! We've already been warned that sleeping with makeup on can cause infections, waxing can result in raw skin and wearing tight clothes can lead to: headaches, back pain and gastro problems.

Watch the video below to learn more about the dangers of UV nail lamps, and click over to the Washington Post to read more details.

Comments

[jviasmith]

11:38 AM on 11/19/2012

Better safe than sorry! I used sunblock for a while but then I found some UV protective gloves to use during my gel nail treatments (which I get every few weeks). They work great because they are made of special fabric that blocks the UVA rays from nail lamps and are fingerless. Here is where I found them: http://spagenius.com/blockers.php

[jviasmith]

11:33 AM on 11/19/2012

I get gel nails every few weeks. Just to be on the safe side I use fingerless gloves during the nail drying under the UV lamp. I found these UV protective gloves online: http://spagenius.com/blockers.php and they work great! They are made of special fabric that block all types of UV rays (sun or lamp) and are fingerless. Better safe than sorry.

[Katie852]

06:45 PM on 06/11/2012

I use a pair a gloves that I bought on Amazon. It gives me peace of mind as it only exposes the nails.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0083XGNWK

[Amanda Marie Daniluk]

11:34 PM on 03/08/2012

This is absolutely 100% NOT TRUE. I am so disgusted by the amount of people spewing lies about the beauty industry. Putting your hand in an FDA-approved UV lamp is less than the equivalent of being outside in the sun for THREE MINUTES. Your hand is exposed to more UV light by just resting it on the top of your steering wheel.

ANYONE WHO GOT A SUNBURN FROM A LAMP WENT TO A LESS-THAN REPUTABLE SALON. There is absolutely 0 evidence that UV hand lamps cause cancer or any other ailment.

Please check out the following link, and please ALWAYS GO TO A REPUTABLE SALON.

http://blogs.nailsmag.com/editor/archive/2012/03/08/NMC-Responds-to-Recent-Bad-Press-About-Gels.aspx

[ispeakthetruthinpa1]

05:43 AM on 03/19/2012

their is a difference between natural UV rays and artificial UV rays....I'll lay out in the sun before I lay in a tanning bed!!

[msoverall]

02:35 PM on 03/07/2012

I did it once, and while it does last, it stung. It felt like a mild case of sunburn. Swore I'd never do it again and I haven't. I just get my nails buffed, I have kids a regular mani doesn't last long with them. And no, that's not my picture.

[Amanda Marie Daniluk]

11:36 PM on 03/08/2012

You more than likely put your hand into a NON FDA-approved UV lamp that was bought cheaply from China. This is absolutely 100% not normal, and I have never in my entire career seen a case of this. I'm sorry that this happened to you. Please always ensure you are going to a reputable salon.

[yorkriver1]

07:30 AM on 03/07/2012

Nail dryers that operate with fans instead of UV light cost around $80. One could even bring their own to a salon.

[asantewa3]

09:19 AM on 03/07/2012

The type of manicures they are discussing in this article don't use a fan dryer. The gel manicure uses a uv gel that holds shine longer and looks fresher longer. A fan wouldn't activate the gel.

[ABXNOMORE]

07:28 AM on 03/07/2012

No surprise at all. All nail polish is filled with cancer causing chemicals and all the other products nail salons use as well. There are new water based polishes that don't contain the three most offensive chemicals in them.

http://www.acquarellapolish.com/sas/nailpolish.html

http://www.suncoatproducts.com/CompanyProfile.htm

[Amanda Marie Daniluk]

11:39 PM on 03/08/2012

That's absolutely not true. Why are you fear-mongering? Are you a scientist? Are you a nail tech? Do you have any idea what you're talking about, other than things you see on the internet?

These three most "offensive" chemicals as you call them are formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP. You do not need a water-based polish to get a polish without these. Most of the high-quality, NON DRUG STORE polishes you purchase in a salon do not have these ingredients. This includes Creative Nail Design polishes.

None of the products I use in my salon cause cancer, or I would never be insured and my clients would drop dead. Stop trying to scare people.

[ABXNOMORE]

06:48 AM on 03/09/2012

You are right about the three chemicals you mention. You are wrong about everything else. Research and you will find. You will be insured as it's big corporations that produce these unhealthful products and pull the wool over the eyes of public because they have the power and money to get this stuff on the market and convince the public that these chemicals are safe. Yes, you can get nail polish without the chemicals in them now that are not water based polishes but the water based ones are even safer but more importantly is that nail polish that include these chemicals have not been banned and are widely available in any store or salon.

I'm not fear mongering. Are you trying to convince yourself that all of the extremely toxic chemicals that are used in nail salons are safe?

[ispeakthetruthinpa1]

05:44 AM on 03/19/2012

so true, and so is a lot of foundations!

[orthobobsuruncle]

02:57 AM on 03/07/2012

First world problems for sure.

[ggff88]

12:54 AM on 03/07/2012

my nail salon has us wear fingerless gloves that they provide when having the gel nails put on - it reduces the amount of skin exposed to the UV - if your salon doesnt do it get yourself a pair and bring them along. Pampered Hands on Melrose in LA ps!

[BlueZoo]

10:48 PM on 03/06/2012

Is there ANYTHING that doesn't cause cancer these days? When the air you breathe and the sun on your skin causes cancer, your manicure seems like small potatoes!

[Seaglass]

12:58 AM on 03/07/2012

Seriously. According to the media almost everything--everything!!--can potentially cause cancer these days: the A, D and E vitamins we were told to take, pesticides on our fruit, cell phones, tight bras, your desk job, and even leaving the light on when we sleep...and the 'risk' tables change frequently. Enough already. I'm not making light of real risks, just tired of the hyperbole.

[BlueZoo]

01:13 AM on 03/07/2012

The hyperbole is what gets to me to and I think most of us are sick of it. There really is such a thing as moderation. Yes, if you eat at fast food places every day of your life, you're going to die early but, if you eat there every few months, it won't kill you. The media just blows everything up to be the end of the world as we know it and it simply isn't true.

[Fetus]

07:48 PM on 03/06/2012

Tan fingers are not worth getting cancer over....

[Amanda Marie Daniluk]

11:41 PM on 03/08/2012

You will NOT get cancer from a UV hand lamp. It is less than the equivalent of being in the sun for three minutes. If you would like more information, please look at the following link. I personally have had two skin cancer scares and would NEVER do anything to put my clients in my salon in danger. Please do not believe everything you read.

http://blogs.nailsmag.com/editor/archive/2012/03/08/NMC-Responds-to-Recent-Bad-Press-About-Gels.aspx

[Fetus]

02:43 PM on 03/15/2012

I stand corrected, thanks Amanda.

[beyondliberal]

02:37 PM on 04/01/2012

Maybe not, but the acetone (and its fumes) in nail polish remover is highly toxic.

[MsLadyBlueWorld]

07:13 PM on 03/06/2012

well in that case, you better dry them the old school way and use a fan

[Suntio]

11:32 PM on 03/06/2012

With gel it's not a drying, but a curing process. You can start putting your hands in yous pockets as soon as the gel is cured, and that is awesome. I guess I'll just wear sunscreen then.

[MsLadyBlueWorld]

07:20 PM on 03/12/2012

how do you take it off i had gel nails once it took three months to get them off i tried acetone i never got that again