The Truth About Gel Nails: Is the UV Lamp Really Safe?
It’s hard to imagine life before gel manicures, isn’t it? No drying time, a glossy finish, and two-week staying power is the stuff nail dreams are made of. But are they safe?
It’s a question that’s been contested and debated almost since the gel manicure has been invented. Should you really be placing your hands under UV lamps?
UV Light Concerns
Premature Aging
For most professional gel manicures, the polish needs to be dried and cured under a special UV (ultraviolet) lamp. As one might assume, exposure to UV light is not the healthiest thing in the world. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet light, even in the form of a nail polish dryer, can increase the risk of the exposed skin to premature aging. The skin on the hands is also thinner than other parts of the body losing elasticity faster and showing age at a much more rapid rate.
Skin Cancer
There are reports of skin cancers, primarily basal cell skin cancer, developing on the hands because of these manicures using UV light. It is unknown that repeated exposure to small amounts of UV light every two weeks will do in the long term.
Weak Nails
Unfortunately, aside from the potential damage to the skin on your hands and around the fingernails and cuticles, gel manicures can also weaken your nails, similar to artificial and acrylic nail applications. One recommendation from dermatologists is to only get gel manicures when there is a special occasion, such as traveling for an extended period or a wedding. Then, regular manicures is best for the rest of the year.
How to Protect Your Nails from UV Light
Doctors and estheticians suggest that sunscreen and fingerless gloves can help to lessen any risk. If you must get a gel mani, you can protect yourself by applying a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ prior to manicures and wearing a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) glove with the fingertips cut off.
If the thought of sitting for a gel manicure still makes you uneasy, you can skip the gel and get a regular manicure. Adding a gel alternative, such as Gel Courture by Essie or VinlyLux, 2-Week Polish by CND. These alternatives will definitely last longer than a regular manicure and doesn’t require the same upkeep as gels.
Gel Manicure Alternatives
Dip
Dip powder nails has become the social media trend du jour. This technique is popular for its long-lasting durability (up to a month) and easy application. Dip can be DIY at home or at the nail salon. The system follows a sequence of applying a bonding agent onto clean nails, dipping or painting overtop with the colored powder, and then sealing everything in a topical topcoat to achieve results similar to gel nails. The main drawback is that the removal process requires soaking, which can be time consuming and drying to your nail plate and weakening the nail.
Press-On
These have come a long way and a favorite of my daughter. I can never tell if her nails are pressed-on or painted. The market is overflowing with a variety of various shapes, colors, and embellishments to suit every style, and you can even have them custom-designed if you’re feeling fancy schmancy. From coffins to sporty squovals and feminine almond shapes, I love this option for testing out the last tip trends with zero downtime. To apply, just add a small drop of nail glue to the natural nail and press the synthetic nail on top. As with dip nails, the removal process isn’t without its drawback. It’s recommended to painting a base layer of nail polish to protect the nail bed before applying the nail glue and using warm, soapy water to weaken the adhesive when removing.
Cassic Nail Polish
Okay, regular old nail polish may not be the most exciting option, but a classic is a classic for a reason. And if anything has withstood the test of time in the nail space, it’s a tried-and-true lacquer. Their formulas, however, are anything by stagnant with many brands not only removing toxic ingredients but also adding skin-loving nutrients to leave nails healthier than before. While this mani may not be the most long-lasting and, of course, there’s some drying time required, it’s a small price to pay for strong nourished nails.
Nail Stickers
Convenient lovechild of the press-on nail and traditional nail polish. There are tons of styles and colors to choose from, but, unlike press-on nails, these mimic the shape of the natural nail and won’t add length or a snazzy new tip shape. With a fool-proof system where you literally just peel-and-stick onto clean, natural nails and file off excess, the process couldn’t be easier or faster. Results will typically last a week or sometimes longer, depending on the material (gel polish, for example) of the sticker.