January 19, 2023 – A study from the University of California, San Diego found that using ultraviolet light to dry gel nail polish may increase the chance of cancer.
The use of ultraviolet light in tanning is notoriously dangerous, so scientists at UCSD decided to analyze UV nail dryers that use a special spectrum of ultraviolet light.
“Our experimental results and previous evidence strongly suggest that radiation emitted by UV nail polish dryers can cause hand cancer and that UV nail polish dryers, similar to tanning beds, may increase the risk of early-onset skin cancer,” researchers wrote in a study published within the journal. Nature communication.
The researchers called for further studies before they may say with certainty that using UV dryers carries the next risk of skin cancer.
“It is likely that it will take at least a decade to complete such studies and then make them available to the general public,” they wrote.
According to researchers, a 20-minute session with a UV dryer caused as much as 30% of the cells in a Petri dish to die. After three sessions, the share was as high as 70%. Engadget wrote“Among the remaining cells, the researchers discovered evidence of mitochondrial and DNA damage, as well as mutations observed in skin cancer patients.”
UV lamps are commonly utilized in nail salons across the country and in other parts of the world to dry gel nail polish, Engadget wrote. Gels last more, and UV dryers help gel nail polish harden and maintain its shine.