Gel Manicure Increases Risk of Skin Cancer

The ever-popular gel manicure, which is preferred over the acrylic one as it tends to give the nails a more realistic finish, has a lot more to offer than the lustrous and healthy look. Researchers have linked gel manicures to the development of skin cancer.

Gel manicure, which makes the nails stronger and less likely to chip, undergoes a process where, after the application of the gel to the nails, they are cured under ultraviolet light. In gel manicures, three layers of polish are used, and each coat is set with the help of UV light.  And this process doubles the risk of developing skin cancer.

According to  a study conducted by Dr. Chris Adigun from the NYU School of Medicine in Manhattan, the use of UV light to dry the gel and cure the nails damages the skin in the same way as do tanning beds. Gel manicures are linked to a high risk of skin cancer. The study was reported in a recent article in the "Journal of American Academy of Dermatology".

Prior to this, a study was conducted in the year 2009 that highlighted how two middle-aged women developed tumors in the hand after repeated exposure to UV light. Since their family history lacked cancer, they were not considered at a risk of developing cancer. This prompted the researchers to consider the UV nail light as a factor that triggers skin problems.

Since these UV rays are not monitored, it is not known how much of UV lights we are exposed to. It is not good to keep a manicure on for a long period of time, because of the chemicals present in it as well as the time it takes to remove the long-lasting polish.