Skin Cancer Warnings for Gel Nail Polish Dryers
March 31, 2023
Taking good care of your health is important. But, did you know that something as seemingly innocent as an ultraviolet nail polish dryer can pose a risk to your overall well-being? Recent studies have linked the use of UV nail polish dryers used in salons and spas to increased risks for certain types of skin cancer.
“Healthy nails are a good indicator of your overall health,” explains Orlando dermatologist Dr. Michael Steppie, “But, poor lifestyle choices and a lack of nail care can affect both their strength and appearance. Weak or brittle nails may suggest an underlying medical condition like psoriasis or kidney problems.”
Gel manicures provide longer lasting color when compared to using traditional nail polish and also offer the convenience of not smudging when cured under an ultraviolet lamp. Still, knowing the associated risks and what you can do to limit your exposure is vital for maintaining a healthy body.
New Study Confirms Dr. Steppie’s Concerns
As an experienced Mohs skin cancer surgeon, Dr. Steppie revealed during a 2010 segment on Channel 6 News in Orlando that using UV lights to dry nails may be just as dangerous for your skin as tanning beds. He went on to explain that ultraviolet dryers could contribute to photo aging that leads to the appearance of wrinkles and spots as well as a loss of skin elasticity.
Now, a recent study from the University of California San Diego has revealed a concerning correlation between UV-emitting nail dryers and cancer. The findings suggest that exposure to these devices may lead to harmful DNA damage resulting in potentially dangerous mutations that could increase your risk for skin cancers, including subungual melanoma that occurs in the skin under nails.
Whereas a causal relationship between skin cancer and exposure to ultraviolet-emitting tanning beds has been well documented, the use of UVA light in nail dryers has received little attention. This was the most in-depth study of UV's potential mutagenic and cancer-causing effects when used to cure the chemicals in gel manicures. Gel nail polish also contains acrylates that have been known to cause skin irritations, such as hives or contact dermatitis.
*NOTE: With the rising popularity of gel manicures, this is the most comprehensive scientific evaluation to date involving the potential for UV gel nail polish dryers to cause nail cancer and genetic mutations due to long-wave ultraviolet light exposure.
What Nail Skin Cancer Looks Like
Although rare, skin cancer can occur under and around your fingernails or toenails. Unfortunately, melanoma is the most common skin cancer that affects nail beds and is also the deadliest form of skin cancer. You should ask a dermatologist about any significant changes to the appearance of your nails, such as:
Dark Streaks – Brown to black discolorations of the nail bed that present as either vertical streaks or an irregular band of pigmentation.
Nail Splitting – Characterized by a crack forming in a nail, splits can be horizontal across the tip or occur vertically often splitting the nail into separate pieces.
Nail Lifting – Detachment of a fingernail or toenail (onycholysis) happens when the nail is pushed up from the nail bed at the distal end often with a white free edge.
Dark Nail Skin – When the skin around your fingernail or toenail darkens, it could be a sign of nail melanoma.
Bump or Nodule – Often misdiagnosed nodules can appear as a blueish, reddish, brownish, or flesh-toned bump underneath the nail.
Whereas nail melanoma is rare, you should do regular nail checks. Unfortunately, nail melanoma is often overlooked and diagnosed at a more advanced and dangerous stage. Changes in the appearance of your nails can definitely be a sign of an underlying health problem; however lengthwise nail ridging is a common sign of normal aging. Nail ridges can also be caused by improper nail care, injury or trauma, natural aging, and vitamin deficiencies.
Preventing and Treating Skin Cancer on Nails
Regular checks for changes in appearance to your skin and nails is The Gold Standard for catching abnormalities early on when basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma skin cancers are highly treatable. While anyone can develop nail cancer, it is more common in older adults and people of color. Suggested interventions include soaking only your fingertips in acetone when having nail polish removed, taking holidays where you don’t wear polish, and rehydrating your nails between polishes.
Once nail cancer has been diagnosed by a board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgery is most often used to treat skin cancer on or under the nails. Melanoma is the most common nail cancer but a slow-growing lesion on the skin near the nail may be basal cell skin cancer, and squamous cell skin cancer is often seen with redness and onycholysis (nail lifting). In the past, surgical amputation of the affected toe or finger was preferred but today Mohs surgery allows precise excision of cancerous tissue.
While exposure to ultraviolet rays is always concerning, research shows that the short-term use of UV nail dryers has not been fully linked to skin cancer or premature aging thus far. Further studies are needed before making such definitive conclusions. But to minimize your risks, consider air drying instead of UV lamps and lather on sunblock prior to having gel polish applied. For beautiful, healthy nails it is important to give them a break between manicures to allow nails to breathe and strengthen in-between coatings.