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The ultraviolet A light emitted by UV nail dryers could damage DNA, according to a recent study. This could lead to cancer-causing mutations. As a consumer, should you be concerned if you use these UV nail dryers? We ask dermatologist Dr. Marlies Wakkee.
The UV nail dryer is used to dry gel polish. Gel polish lasts longer than normal nail polish and is therefore very popular. However, using these UV nail dryers can be harmful to your health, according to researcher Maria Zhivagui and her colleagues. In their study, the researchers show that the regular use of UV nail dryers can have a harmful effect on human cells.
Reliability
But is this research reliable? Dr. Marlies Wakkee points out that this research has been published in one of the leading international journals, viz nature communications. She explains that the researchers in this study demonstrate in various ways that the UV radiation from these lamps causes damage in cells that were exposed to these lamps in a laboratory setting.
“Same change as by sun or tanning bed”
We asked dermatologist Wakkee if consumers should be concerned. “The researchers have carried out a thorough study in which they show that changes in the genetic material of the cell (DNA) take place as a result of this radiation. This is the same kind of change you see after being in the sun or under a tanning bed. We cannot ignore that”, says Dr. Wakkee.
Side note: No human studies yet
“However, it is still research in a laboratory setting where the cells are exposed directly, while we as humans also get some protection from the outer, keratinized layer of our skin and the pigment in our skin,” adds the dermatologist. . “There are no large human studies yet, but there are some reports of women with artificial nails who may have developed skin cancer as a result,” says Dr. Wakkee.
Little research
It is well known that the use of tanning beds is harmful to your skin and can be carcinogenic. Tanning beds use ultraviolet A light, just like the UV nail dryers. However, hardly any research has been done into the consequences of using these UV nail dryers.
“I think this is partly because it has long been thought that UVA radiation of a certain wavelength (between 365n and 395n), which is in those UV nail dryers, does not cause any damage. Furthermore, as a consumer you will not notice any change in your skin if you put your hand under it. UVB radiation causes your skin to burn, while UVA radiation penetrates deeper into the skin (dermis). Damage such as skin aging and a higher risk of skin cancer is only visible for decades. However, these UV nail dryers have not been on the market for very long, so dermatologists have not yet been able to see the possible consequences of their use,” says Marlies Wakkee.
Advice
The dermatologist advises consumers to no longer use products with UV light, such as UV nail dryers. “We will probably only know in a decade or so what the actual harm is from human use, but the signal sent by this study is too strong to ignore. So rather stop than run the risk of getting skin cancer on the back of your hand or fingers.”
Alternative?
A slightly more expensive, but safer product is the LED nail dryer. According to Dr. Marlies Wakkee, this nail dryer based on LED light does not emit UV radiation and can therefore be used as a good alternative.