Chris Adigun who specializes in nails shared with the American Academy of Dermatology that UVB rays used in gel manicures “do penetrate the skin to damage DNA and collagen, which can lead to premature aging and may increase skin cancer risk.” She adds that LED curing lamps also emit UVA light.
Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling and cracking, and repeated use can increase the risk for skin cancer and premature skin aging on the hands.
Shellac and gel nails have become extremely popular in recent years. And it's not uncommon for this treatment to appear in many peoples' monthly beauty régime. But did you know it could come with a potential skin cancer risk? Manicures with shellac or gel nails use ultraviolet (UV) light to dry the polished nails.
Some nail lamps are called “UV” lamps, and some are called LED lamps, but both emit UV radiation. They predominantly produce UVA rays, which have been linked to both premature skin aging and skin cancer.
Gel and shellac manicures are chip resistant and lasting, but they can also cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking. To keep your nails healthy before, during, and after your manicures, apply the Nourish My Cuticles - Nail and Cuticle Oil to strengthen, hydrate, and repair your cuticles and nails.
Because shellac nails use traditional nail polish, in addition to a gel layer, they're a little more prone to chipping than methods like the gel application, which means you may need touch-ups more than with other types of nails.
While there is nothing wrong with shellac itself, it's the curing process that raises safety concerns. LED light lamps used to cure shellac emit UV rays, and extended exposure to UV rays can have potential side effects, including premature aging of the skin, age spots, and skin cancer.
“For younger-looking hands, orange or peach-based hues work best,” says Colette Keenan, butter LONDON national field manager, adding that shades with orange undertones, such as reds or corals, draw attention away from any signs of aging.
If you have a lighter skin tone, the color would differ depending on how fair your skin is, but corals, greens, and red would be good for older hands because it draws attention to the nails. If you have darker toned skin, choose shades of orange, gold, and grey.
The FDA, which regulates the devices, says, while UV light can damage skin, causing wrinkles and skin cancer, the UV dryers are "low risk" when used as directed.
In our experience, SNS can last up to one week longer than Shellac nails without chipping, and SNS also creates a thicker-looking nail from all that powder getting added on. But we've found Shellac to be a little less damaging to our nails long-term than SNS nails.
It is recommended to have a shellac manicure re done every two weeks but most of my clients gets three or more weeks out of shellac with no chips at all and even longer on toes.
A trained nail tech can remove both without damage, but generally speaking, removing gel polish requires a lot of scraping and filing down, which is annoying, time-consuming, and can be a little rougher on the nails. Shellac, on the other hand, is much easier to take off (and, thus, less prone to damaging your nails).
"The biggest risk to leaving a gel manicure service on for longer than three weeks is that the extra weight can start pulling on the edge of your nail, causing tears in the base of your nails," says Reynosa. "They can then lift, which peels back keratin layers and causes more mechanical damage.
Under-cured gel polish is the most common reason for wrinkling after curing, but there are other possibilities. You might notice wrinkling on your clients' nails if you haven't carried out the correct nail preparation prior to the service.
Hot water, detergents, and yard work can dry your skin, which can age your hands. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Applying a lotion or cream after washing your hands and bathing helps to trap water in your skin, which can plump up your skin. Keep appointments for maintenance treatments.
Dark polishes, particularly stark black, run the risk of making mature hands appear less youthful, especially when it comes to cool-toned shades like deep navy, bluish reds, and wine purples. These exacerbate any skin dullness or dark spots caused by sun damage that you might be worried about.
Oranges, corals, and peach-based hues can draw attention away from the signs of aging on our hands, due to the fact that these colors are so bright and youthful. Subtle shades like beiges and sheer pinks only draw the eyes away from the nails and to the hands, revealing wrinkles and age spots.
If you have light skin, choose shades of white, champagne, nude or sand. If you have darker toned skin, choose shades of cocoa, cappuccino, taupe or coffee. Chocolate and shades of grayish-brown are youthful and trendy, but be wary of dark browns as they can be very harsh and unforgiving.
“Classic nail shapes, like round and oval, are especially flattering for aging hands,” says Tom Bachik, celebrity manicurist and global nail designer for L'Oréal Paris, whose client list includes Jennifer Lopez and Julianne Moore.
Nude and pastel colors are a great choice for short nails, as they actively make them look longer. Because they visually appear like they're continuing your finger line, they make your fingers look thinner and slimmer. For best results, use a color that's a shade lighter than your skin tone.
Gel manicures benefit those with weaker nails and lasts just that little bit longer than Shellac. However, the removal process is quite lengthy. Shellac is a thinner polish, so if you want to give your nails more space to “breathe' and have sturdy natural nail beds, this one's for you.
Your shellac nails should remain shiny and chip-free for 14 to 21 days if you take care of them responsibly. Don't worry about your day to day activities: taking out keys, working on the computer and (light) cooking are no match for shellac.
The benefits of a Shellac manicure include over 14 days of glossy, chip-free wear, no drying time at the salon, and easy removal that doesn't damage nails.