Lamps that emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation are standard in some nail salons to speed-dry regular manicures and to set gel manicures. These lamps can be called UV lamps or LED lamps and both emit UV radiation, predominantly UVA rays which have been linked to increased risk of skin cancer.
Gel manicures are popular because they last a long time and don't easily chip or peel. But they've come under scrutiny in recent weeks following a new study that found that the ultraviolet lamps used for these nail treatments damage cells in ways that could potentially increase the risk for cancer.
And when it comes to gel manicures, The Skin Cancer Foundation says even the most intense manicure lamps present only a “moderate” risk, and the FDA considers the lamps “low risk” when used as directed by people without any other medical sensitivities to UV exposure.
Yes, LED lamps are safe to use. There is very minimal UV exposure with any type of nail lamp, so you don't need to worry about potential skin damage. If you wish, you can wear nail gloves or use SPF hand cream. But be extra careful not to get any cream on your nails before gel polish application.
When you get a manicure, these special lamps help to set gel manicures and dry polish. They emit ultraviolet rays, which can cause skin cancer and age skin prematurely. Ultraviolet rays penetrate the skin deeply.
These lamps are typically used to speed-dry regular manicures, and they are required to set gel manicures. 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.
Overall, Dip Powder Manicures are a great way to get a healthy manicure that will protect and strengthen your nails without causing any damage. Just like any nail treatment, you do have to make sure you properly remove it to keep your nails safe and healthy – Don't pick at your manicure!
But thankfully, there are ways to cure gel nails without UV light, by air drying the polish in an ice bath, spraying with a quick-drying nail polish spray, using a fan or hairdryer, or even sitting in the sun. These methods should speed up the process if used successfully and let you enjoy your new nails ASAP.
UV Led Curing Lamp Disadvantages:
The irradiation intensity is weak. If the printing speed is too fast, the ink curing is not complete. It can only emit long-wave ultraviolet light, and can not emit short-wave ultraviolet light, which is not conducive to the curing of UV varnish.
LED lamps that do not emit UV radiation should be a safer choice. But these are dryers and are not used to cure a gel manicure. Some LED lamps do emit UV radiation, as well, dermatologists said. The only way to be certain whether the nail dryer uses UV radiation is to ask the salon.
An LED lamp will only work for gel polishes that are specifically set under LED light, whereas UV lamps work for all types of gel polish. So, if you have a range of different gel polish brands, a UV lamp will cure them all whereas a LED lamp will only cure specific LED gel polish brands.
The most common side effect is painful, itchy eczematous dermatitis. Additional reactions include detached nails, or onycholysis, lesions under the nail plate, and weak, brittle nails.
Both doctors suggest that sunscreen and fingerless gloves can help to lessen any risk. According to Dr. Marchbein, if you must get a gel mani, you can protect yourself by applying “a broad spectrum SPF 30-plus prior to manicures” and “wearing a UPF [ultraviolet protection factor] glove with the fingertips cut off.”
But as amazing as gel manicures are, there is a downside—nail brittleness, peeling, cracking, an increased risk for skin cancer, and early skin aging on the hands. Some of this has to do with using UV drying lamps during the curing and drying process.
Don't get gel manicures too often
According to Dr. Adigun, it's absolutely fine to get gel manicures every once in a while. “I simply recommend to my patients that they take gel manicure detoxes intermittently to allow their nails to rehydrate and repair.”
Post-gel damage is typically caused by the removal process. Using the wrong tools and technique can leave tips with microtrauma.
Sunburn is a sign of short-term overexposure, while premature aging and skin cancer are side effects of prolonged UV exposure. UV exposure increases the risk of potentially blinding eye diseases if eye protection is not used. Overexposure to UV radiation can lead to serious health issues, including cancer.
UV LEDs emit intense UV light during operation. Do not look directly into a UV LED while it is in operation, as it can be harmful to the eyes, even for brief periods. If it is necessary to view a UV LED, use suitable UV filtered glasses or goggles to avoid damage to the eyes.
UV rays, either from the sun or from artificial sources like tanning beds, can cause sunburn. Exposure to UV rays can cause premature aging of the skin and signs of sun damage such as wrinkles, leathery skin, liver spots, actinic keratosis, and solar elastosis. UV rays can also cause eye problems.
Thankfully, there are alternative ways to cure gel polish with less UV exposure. While only an LED lamp can cure your polish as quickly and effectively as a UV light, using a non-UV gel polish, applying a drying agent, or soaking your nails in ice water could work as well.
In summary, our top takes would be to keep the gel base coat exposed to the lamp only for 45 seconds, cure the colour layer for 60 seconds and do not exceed 90 seconds for the topcoat. If you follow this advice - your nails will look fabulous and last longer.
Although gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, they can be tough on nails. 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.
Since then, I've been testing a few polish systems that are much easier on nails than gels, and there are two I really like: Dazzle Dry, a lacquer system that lasts longer than traditional polish or hybrids and doesn't need to be cured by lights or soaked off, and the Green Flash system from Manucurist (yes, that's the ...
Let's talk about balancing nail health and polish use.
In short, the answer is no. But there are caveats. Nails don't need surface access to air because they get oxygen and nutrients from your blood. Keeping nails hydrated is important if yours are prone to breakage, and a pause in polishing to moisturize would help.