“Please put your hands inside the lamp without touching the walls. Make sure your thumb is well placed inside. Once the lights go out, repeat.” This phrase – or similar ones – is surely familiar to those who like to take care of their ends and choose for the following reasons – great hold, pleasant result and bright color – semi-permanent manicure.

However, recent research on UV nail polish dryers has raised questions about the safety of this method.

Study

In particular, researchers fUniversity of California San Diego studied these devices that emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation and found that their use can damage DNA and cause mutations. Using three different cell lines—adult human skin keratinocytes, human foreskin fibroblasts, and mouse embryonic fibroblasts—the researchers found that using these UV devices in a single 20-minute session resulted in 20-30% cell death. , while three consecutive 20-minute exposures caused the death of 65% and 70% of the irradiated cells.

The study shows that these devices can be found in all nail salons and use a specific UV spectrum (340-395nm) to dry the chemicals used in gel manicures. On the other hand, tanning beds use a different spectrum of ultraviolet radiation (280-400 nm), which studies have shown to be carcinogenic. However, research indicates that the spectrum used in nail polish drying devices is not well understood or evaluated.

What a dermatology professor says “K”.

The above study was analyzed in “K” by Alexandros Katoulis, Professor of Dermatology-Venereology and Director of the 2nd Clinic of Venereology and Skin Diseases of the EKPA School of Medicine at Attikon University General Hospital.

“Cure lamps used in salons are different from UV lamps used in tanning salons. These specific tanning lamps have been proven to be carcinogenic and increase the risk of skin cancer by 7-8 times. In contrast, lamps used for extremity care emit visible light,” says Dr. Katoulis, stressing that the experts in this particular study are concerned about the frequency with which women are exposed to these lamps.

“The risk at this stage is more theoretical than practical, and of course the results are recent. The study showed that this light made changes in the mice’s DNA, meaning that it could lead to carcinogenesis. However, there is no need to panic, because, as with everything in life, this should be done in moderation. There will be no problems for any woman using the analog method, ”added Dr. Katulis.

Hand Protection Measures Abroad – Explained by a Professional in the Field

Despite the fact that there is no immediate danger for a woman caring for her limbs, according to the founder of Nail Academy by NYXI-NYXI and beauty expert Anna Albani, some preventive measures have already begun to be taken abroad.

“In other countries, they are already putting sunscreen on their hands or giving customers special gloves (with cut edges) to protect the skin from the polymerization lamp, as it is called, the well-known “bakery”,” he said. says Mrs. Albany in K.

Teaching new methods of hand care from around the world, A. Albani notes that the time during which our hands are in the polymerization lamp is important.

“There is no reason to abuse these devices. A woman can get a manicure and put her fingertips in the lamp for just 1 minute 35 seconds,” she notes, explaining how these lamps are made.

Curing lamps

“Cure lamps are made based on the chemical composition of the products applied to the nails. Every polish has a photocuring agent inside, so the chemist who creates the polish determines how long it takes to fully dry in the curing lamp,” he says, adding that there are even special machines where products are tested before entering the lamps, however these are too expensive.

In any case, A. Albani emphasizes that the manicurist must be careful not to stain the client’s skin with varnish. “It is very important that the material does not get on the client’s skin, which then gets into the polymerization lamp,” he notes.

“Of course, the new study also applies to us nail technicians. In any case, we must not forget to use products that have been tested by EOF and have CE certification,” Ms. Albany concludes.