A recent study declares that nail dryer radiations might damage DNA or cause cancer-causing mutations in human cells. These radiations include UV rays, which are harmful to human skin and cells.
During experimenting, researchers exposed human and mouse cells to UV light for 20 minutes and found 20-30% cell death. In three consecutive exposures of 20 minutes, 65-70% cell death occurred, whereas the remaining alive cells underwent DNA and mitochondrial damage, leading to skin cancer symptoms.
Some dermatologists believe the findings and concerns related to UV rays aren’t new. Yet, others say it’s new as it reveals the reasons behind dermatologists’ decision to alter their gel nail manicure techniques.
On the other hand, dermatologists declared the limitations of this study: “Exposing cell lines to UV radiations is dissimilar to a study conducted on living being or animals. Skin’s top layer absorbs UV radiation differently than cells in a petri dish without skin protection.”
Note that tanning beds and nail lamps are used in manicures, for which Dr. Julia Curtis, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, declared the former carcinogenic and the latter as mini tanning beds, which means it is also carcinogenic.
UV light, which can deeply penetrate skin compared to other lights, is also used in the process. It is also produced by the sun. As per UCAR Center for Science Education, UV light wavelength ranges from 10-400 (nm). Over the past decade, it has become a new normal for nail treatment. Furthermore, tanning beds use a UV wavelength of 280-400 (nm), while that of a nail dryer is 340-395 (nm).
In a press release, a corresponding research author stated that these mani-pedi devices are marketed as safe. Yet, until now, none has studied them and their effects on human cells.
Thus, this study, amalgamated with previous evidence, deduced that everyone must think before exposing nails to UV rays.
