UV dryer lamps in High Street nail salons could cause skin cancer, scientists warn

Scientists are concerned that the ultraviolet lamps in high street nail bars may pose a risk of skin cancer.

According to researchers at the University of California, San Diego and the University of Pittsburgh, lamps that help cure a type of nail polish gel called shellac can be just as damaging to the skin as sunbeds.

In a series of laboratory studies, they found that a high percentage of skin cells repeatedly exposed to the light emitted by these lamps died.

Surviving cells showed signs of damage, such as DNA, which could increase the risk of skin cancer.

Writing in the journal Nature Communications, the authors of the study warn:

They added that “UV nail polish dryers, like tanning beds, may increase the risk of early-onset skin cancer.” However, they cautioned that the study “does not provide direct evidence of increased cancer risk in humans.”

They called for a longitudinal analysis of the incidence of hand skin cancer in people who regularly used nail bars compared to those who did not. It takes years,” they said.

Anxiety about nail bars is increasing. “UV protection gloves” that expose only the nails can now be purchased online.

In a series of laboratory studies, they found that a high percentage of skin cells repeatedly exposed to the light of these lamps died.

US influencer Kourtney Kardashian, Kim’s older sister, said she doesn’t use UV dryers because they “can age your skin with brown spots and wrinkles.”

Last night, the nail bar industry scorned new findings.

Doug Scone, of the Nail Manufacturing Council of the United States, a trained chemist, called the study a “biased and unfair attack.”

He said the researchers used a very powerful UV lamp and exposed the cultured skin cells for a very long time (20 minutes a day for three consecutive days).

He added that customers typically hold their hands under the lamp for three minutes during nail bar sessions.

A dangerous online trend has emerged to make sunbed use more attractive years after sunbeds were banned in commercial establishments due to their link to skin cancer.

“I can guarantee you that three one-minute exposures will yield very different results. It seems their aim is to make all UV nail lamps look dangerous.”

“For over 20 years, millions of people have used these lamps regularly, so they have a long history of safe use.

“A lot of scientific evidence shows that UV nail lamps are safe when used properly.”

One reason nail bar UV lamps are unlikely to carry the same risks as sunbeds is because the light they produce is different.

Sunbeds emit a broader wavelength spectrum of UV, including both long-wave UVA (315-400 nanometers) and short-wave UVB (280-315 nanometers). Nail bar lamps tend to produce only UVA.

UVB is more “energetic” and is the main cause of sunburn, but it does not penetrate below the top of the skin. UVA, by contrast, is less energetic but penetrates more deeply.

Excessive exposure to both can cause skin damage and skin cancer.

Previous studies have found no association between frequent nail bar use and skin cancer.

But none of these studies were the rigorous, long-term studies that track individuals over the years that scientists advocate in the most recent study.

Its lead author, Ludmil Alex-androv, believes there is cause for concern, noting that their work preceded “a molecular understanding of what these devices are doing to human cells.” There was absolutely nothing,” he adds.