Gels are massively becoming more popular nationally. Gel manicure has captured the nail salon industry and many women are attracted to it, because it leaves their nails shinny, and it’s more durable than other nail polish. The polish itself doesn’t cause cancer, but the UV rays exposure from the lamps can cause skin cancer.

Gel nail polish needs Ultraviolet rays to harden, thus raising concern about the risk of skin cancer when hands, cuticles, and nails are regularly exposed to UV rays, that can be more powerful than the sun.

UVA rays are the most mutagenic wave length range of the UV spectrum, penetrating the skin more deeply than UVB rays, and playing a role in skin cancer development, and premature skin aging such as wrinkles and sun spots.

To harden gel nail polish, a woman places her hand under a lamp that emits UVA rays for anywhere from 30 seconds to a few minutes, depending on the type of device.

Some salons use the LED lamps, which have shorter curing time, because the UVA rays they emit are not much more intense than regular UV lamps.

Ladies, protect yourself by sticking to regular polish and skip the UV lights. But there are ways to lower your UV light exposure if you don’t want to give up the gel nail polish.

Here are few tips.

1. Wear sunscreen

Use a broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher. Do this 30 minutes before, because it will help protect your skin from UV rays and ward skin cancer and also signs of aging.

2. Use an LED lights

LED lights give off lower levels of UV radiation than a UV curing light. An LED light also hardens the polish much faster, thus lowering the time you spend in them.

3. Minimize doing it regularly

Try to avoid regular gel manicure, and just have it only when needed or when you are going for occasions.

Share this information to your sister, mother girlfriend, or wife and make them aware of UV rays exposure, and it’s risks.