Are Gel Manicures Dangerous?
As if it weren’t hard enough to keep a good manicure, now dermatologists are raising concerns about the safety of gel manicures. Shellac, a polish by Creative Nail Design , or CND, is painted on like regular nail polish, except that it’s hardened under a UV light. With Shellac’s rise in popularity, there is discussion in the medical community about the cancer concerns associated with UV lights.
According to an article written by consumer advocate Jenn Strathman of NewsNet5.com in Cleveland, “…In the medical journal, ” Archives of Dermatology,” doctors wrote about two women who got skin cancer on their hand, even though they had no family history of the disease. The article stated that the women visited nail salons and received UV nail light exposure to dry the nail polish. According to the article, one woman had a 15-year history of twice monthly UV nail light exposure while the other woman had exposure eight times in one year before developing skin cancer. “It’s a mini sun tan power to your fingers,” Bass said.
Creative Nail Design disagreed and said an independent study showed UV nail lamps are safe. In a news release the company said, “Recent reports fail to properly measure UV light rays, overestimate exposure from UV nail lamps and incorrectly attribute skin cancer.” CND said the study showed the amount of UV-B light in 10 minutes of exposure to a nail lamp is the same as spending an 30 extra seconds in the sun every day for the two weeks between salon appointments.”
My personal jury is still out on gel manicures. I love the way they last, and my nails don’t chip and split when I am wearing the Shellac polish, but there is something about the chemicals used in the removal process that bothers me and makes me feel like I’m taking a step backwards in the nail health department. What about you? Are you a fan of Gel Manicures or do you think there is a legitimate concern? Leave us a comment and tell us your thoughts…
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