Any type of UVA rays can be harmful to the skin causing cancer. Repeated use of UVA light that is required to set the gel manicures could be dangerous. Gel manicures require extra doses of UV light in order to set the gel.
The lamps used to set the gel are LED lamps. UVA rays penetrate the skin more than UVB rays. These types of lamps used to “cure” the gel are a lot more intense then a regular UV lamp. They are also more intense than rays from the Sun. LED lights still emit UVA rays that could be damaging to your health. Exposure to the UVA light over time can be harmful.
Things To Watch Out For
Every Salon is different as far as how long your nails will be exposed to the LED light box when setting your nails in to dry and seal the gel.
Prior to your hands entering the light box you should cover your hands with a good dose sunscreen with a spectrum of 50 plus. Consider buying fingerless sun protective gloves that have a UPF of 50.
Women that are super sensitive to UV light and have brittle nails should stay away from gel manicures. Since the gel is deeply hardened on the nails, when it comes time for removal there is a possibility that the nail can be detached from the nailbed or partally broken or cracked. It’s imperative that a licensed manicurist remove the gel manicure safely as not to cause harm to the nail bed.
We all know that tanning beds are really bad for your skin and can cause skin cancer. Getting a gel manicure that uses the LED lightbox to set your gel is like a tanning bed for your hands.
A 2014 study in Jama Dermatology concluded the level of UV exposure when getting a gel manicure approximately every two weeks isn’t going to increase the risk of skin cancer significantly. Women should be cognizant of the issues of potential skin cancer risks.
Beware of Home Manicure Gel Kits
One should also caution to the use of home kits for gel manicures. This type of manicure should be performed only by a licensed manicurist.
A good salon will use nail polish that specifically works with the proper tools to remove the gel from the nail.
It is best to get a gel manicure at the salon. The manicurist will know how long you should stay under the UV light in order to get the gel to set properly. Using a home UV light box is risky if not used by a trained and certified esthetician. The risk of staying under the light too long in a home can harm your health.
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