Studies Nail Salon Treatment Can Increase Cancer Risk?

UV light used in manicures can lead to cancer

Many women go to nail salons today to have their nails cared for there. Researchers have now discovered that lamps used in nail salons, which are used to cure gel nail polishes, emit a similar light as UV carcinogenic sunbeds.

Researchers from the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at University Hospital Galway found in their recent research that lamps used in nail salons could pose a health risk. These lamps emit a light similar to that of UV sunbeds whose radiation can cause cancer. The experts publish the results of their latest study in the English-language journal "Australasian Journal of Dermatology".

Especially women often go to the nail salon to have their nails cut and cared for. In such studios used lamps for irradiation of the nails, however, seem to increase the risk of cancer. (Image: Dan Race / fotolia.com)

Protect your hands

If you are one of the people who often visit a nail salon to have their nails treated there, you should first apply sunscreen or fingerless gloves as a precautionary measure, advise the doctors. Thus, possible damage can be limited by the light of the UV lamps, which are used to cure the gel polish. The UV nail lamps are often used in salons for acrylic gel manicures and emit similar carcinogenic light as UV sunbeds, the researchers add.

Further research is needed

There are so-called fall observational reports that associate the use of these lamps with the development of skin cancer, explain the surgeons from Ireland. The risk associated with these lamps, however, must be examined more closely, say the scientists. Despite a lack of evidence linking the use of these UV lamps to cancer, people should take precautions and use sunscreen before having such a gel manicure done, the experts warn.

Use sunscreen or fingerless gloves

The Skin Cancer Foundation in the US and the American Academy of Dermatology recommend that customers apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to their hands before applying a gel manicure. The evidence on this subject, however, remains variable and often controversial, so that health service providers so far can not make a clear conclusion and further investigation erforderelrich remain, the researchers say. Until new findings emerge, sufferers should apply sunscreen with a high sun protection factor to their hands or consider the use of fingerless gloves about twenty minutes before the manicure, British daily Daily Mail quotes the researchers.

Dermatologists advise to use sunscreen

Since the American Academy of Dermatology made a recommendation in this regard, Australian dermatologists also advise people to apply sunscreen before undergoing a manicure. Thus, problems can be avoided, which can result from frequent exposure to the UV radiation of the lamps.

UV damage accumulates over time

In general, these nails-irradiation devices emit only little UV radiation and people are exposed to this irradiation for only a very short period of time. However, the resulting UV damage accumulates over time, which is why physicians recommend that sufferers should protect their hands before use. (As)