UV light-emitting machines are a common sight in nail salons and can be purchased for home use for as little as £30
(Picture: Cottonbro Studio )Devices used to dry gel manicures can kill human cells and cause mutations that could lead to skin cancer, a new study has found.
The ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting machines are a common sight in nail salons and can be purchased for home use for as little as £30. They are typically used to cure gel manicures, which last longer than regular nail polish, and can be dried quicker by placing your hand in a UV device.
Although the devices are generally marketed as safe, researchers from the University of California San Diego claim they are the first to scientifically study their impact on human cells at molecular and cellular levels.
By exposing different human and animal cell types to the UV nail machines, they saw that just one 20-minute session led to between 20-30 per cent cell death. While three consecutive 20-minute exposures caused between 65-70 per cent of the exposed cells to die.
The scientists claim that frequent use can lead to irreparable damage to human cells. This in turn can cause mutations in the remaining cells that are similar to those observed in skin cancer patients, they said.
Having published thier initial findings, the academics insist that a long-term epidemiological study would be required to conclusively prove that the devices lead to an increased risk of skin cancer. It could take another decade to complete these types of tests, they added.
Are ultraviolet rays harmful to your skin?
As part of the study, the scientists looked at the spectrum of UV light emitted by nail-drying machines.
Ongoing exposure to UV radiation from the sun and artificial sources like tanning beds have already been linked to premature ageing and skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma, according to the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
There are three types of UV rays emitted by the sun, of which UVA and UVB reach the Earth’s surface and are responsible for causing ageing and, in the latter’s case, sunburn. The remaining UVC rays are absorbed by the ozone in the upper atmosphere.
Both UV and LED nail lamps emit UVA rays with longer wavelengths (340-395 nanometres) that penetrate deep into the skin. Modern tanning beds also produce mostly UVA rays, with the rest being UVB.
Long-term exposure to the UV light from nail lamps results in damage to the DNA and mitochondria in cells, according to the new study. The NHS describes mitochondria as your body’s “power stations” due to their ability to produce energy.
How to protect your hands from UV nail lamps
Skin cancer experts and health regulators are split on the issue. They generally view the lamps as low risk, when used as directed, as there is no conclusive evidence of their effects on real-life users.
However, they recommend following some simple skin-protection tips before using the devices.
They advise users to apply a broad broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher to hands at least 20 minutes before exposing them to UV light. You can also reduce your exposure to the rays by wearing UV-absorbing gloves that expose only your nails.
“Getting your nails done is still a great thing, just like going for a walk in the sunshine — it’s all about knowing your risk and managing your exposure to UVA and UVB safely,” noted the UK’s Karen Clifford Skin Cancer Charity (SKCIN).
In general, you should not use these devices for more than 10 minutes per hand, per session, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The regulator also suggests avoiding the lamps if you’re using certain medications or supplements that make you more sensitive to the sun. These include some antibiotics, oral contraceptives, and estrogens — and supplements such as St John’s Wort. An extended list of the medications can be viewed on the FDA website.
