researchers in University of California, San Diego There is a new warning for those of you who do gel manicures at nail salons.
A study published this weekresearchers have linked ultraviolet lamps, commonly used to cure and dry gel nail polish, with skin cancer, cell death, and potentially irreversible damage to DNA.
Many Americans are aware of the dangers of indoor tanning beds, including skin cancer and premature aging. .
Dermatologist Dr. Muneeb Shah, known on TikTok as ‘Derm Doctor’, shares tips on how to safely care for your skin and prevent cancer. After getting skin cancer himself, Shah encourages others to avoid tanning beds. I know I know, so I obviously won’t do that.”
What are UV rays?
Ultraviolet radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation that affects the skin in different ways depending on its wavelength.
UVA light is most dangerous in the spectrum ranging from 315 to 400 nanometers. This is what you see in sun lamps, indoor tanning beds, and manicure dryers.
“UVA is found in sunlight, but most of UVA’s environmental toxicity comes from the use of commercial products such as tanning beds.” According to a UC San Diego study.
This form of UV light is classified as a carcinogen and can cause skin cancers such as melanoma, premature aging, and eye damage. According to the American Dermatological Association.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. According to associationExperts estimate that one in five Americans will develop the condition in their lifetime.
The association says the incidence of melanoma has “risen rapidly” over the past 30 years.
“DNA is damaged”
San Diego researchers found that UV nail lamps emit ultraviolet wavelengths between 340 and 395 nanometers.
“We confirmed several things. First, we found that the DNA was damaged.” Ludmil Alexandrov, professor at the University of California, San Diego, and author of the study, said: “We also found that some of the DNA damage was not repaired over time, leading to mutations with each exposure to the UV nail polish dryer. Finally, exposure caused mitochondrial dysfunction, which added We have confirmed that it can cause mutations in
When researchers looked at skin cancer patients, Alexandrov said, they found the same pattern of mutations seen in damaged cells.
Should this stop someone from getting a gel manicure?
This study shows that manicure lamps may be more risky than previously believed.
“Our experimental results and previous evidence suggest that radiation emitted from UV manicure dryers can cause hand cancer, and that UV manicure dryers, like tanning beds, may increase the risk of early-onset skin cancer.” It strongly suggests that there is a sexuality,” the researchers wrote.
However, they stress that future research is needed to more accurately assess risk.
“It will likely take at least a decade before such studies are completed and subsequently made available to the public,” the researchers wrote.
Aleksandrov said cosmetics are generally marketed as safe to use and this is the first time the potential risks have been studied.
“To our knowledge, no one has ever actually studied these devices and how they affect human cells at the molecular and cellular level,” he said.
How can I protect myself at a nail salon?
So what can you do at the salon to protect your hands and nails?
skin cancer foundation Use UVA/UVB sunscreen on your hands before getting a gel manicure. This helps protect against UV rays. However, using sunscreen does not eliminate the risk of sublingual squamous cell carcinoma, which can appear under the nails.
Suggested by experts Allow your nails to air dry or wear fingerless gloves to avoid UV exposure altogether.
To read the entire UC San Diego study, click here.
