UV nail drying lamps in High Street nail salons could cause skin cancer, scientists warn
UV nail drying lamps in high street nail salons could cause skin cancer, scientists warn as studies show they could damage skin in a similar way to tanning beds
Scientists fear that UV lamps in High Street nail bars could pose a risk of skin cancer.
The lamps, which help harden some types of nail polish gels called shellac, can damage the skin in a similar way to tanning beds, University researchers say. California San Diego and the University of Pittsburgh.
In a series of laboratory studies, they found that a large proportion of skin cells that were repeatedly exposed to the light emitted by these lamps died.
The cells that survived showed signs of damage, including DNA damage, which can increase the risk of skin cancer.
Scientists fear that UV lamps in High Street nail bars could pose a risk of skin cancer
Writing in the journal Nature Communications, the study’s authors warned: ‘Our experimental results… strongly suggest that radiation emitted by UV nail polish dryers may cause hand cancer.’
They added: ‘UV nail polish dryers, similar to tanning beds, may increase the risk of early skin cancer.’ However, they cautioned that the study ‘does not provide direct evidence of an increased risk of cancer in humans’.
They called for a long-term analysis, comparing arm rates skin cancers among those who regularly use nail bars versus those who do not. It would take ‘at least a decade to complete,’ they said.
There is a growing concern about nail bars. ‘Anti UV gloves’ which leave only the nails exposed can now be bought online.
In a series of laboratory studies, they found that a large proportion of skin cells that were repeatedly exposed to the light of these lamps died
American influencer Kourtney Kardashian – Kim’s older sister – said that she does not use UV dryers because ‘they can age the skin with brown spots and wrinkles’.
Last night the nail industry scorned the new revelations.
Doug Schoon, of the American Nail Manufacturers Council, a chemist by training, called the study a ‘biased and unfair attack’.
He said the researchers used a very strong UV lamp and exposed the cultured skin cells for too long – 20 minutes a day for three consecutive days.
He added that clients usually hold their hand under the lamp for three minutes during the nail treatment. Most go several times a month.
A dangerous online trend has emerged glamorizing the use of tanning beds years after they were banned from businesses due to links to skin cancer
‘I can guarantee the results would have been much different if they had used three one-minute exposures. Their goal seems to be to make all UV nail lamps look dangerous,’ he said.
‘These lamps have been used regularly by millions for over 20 years, so they have a long history of safe use.
‘Most scientific evidence shows that UV nail lamps are safe when used correctly.’
One of the reasons UV nail lamps are unlikely to carry the same risk as tanning beds is that the light they produce is different.
Sunbeds emit UV with a wider spectrum of wavelengths, including long-wave UVA (315 to 400 nanometers) and short-wave UVB (280 to 315 nanometers). Nail lamps usually only produce UVA.
UVB is more ‘energetic’ and is the main cause of sunburn, but does not penetrate below the top of the skin. In contrast, UVA is less energetic but penetrates deeper.
Excessive exposure to both can cause skin damage and skin cancer.
Previous studies have found no link between frequent use of pomegranate for nails and skin cancer.
However, none of them was the kind of rigorous long-term study – following individuals over many years – advocated by the scientists in the latest research.
Its lead author Ludmil Alex-androv believes there is cause for concern, adding that before their work there was ‘zero molecular understanding of what these devices do to human cells’.
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