FASHION Magazine

Gel manicures have become quite popular in the last few years, most of all thanks to their ability to last a long time without chipping. Although gel nail polish can be difficult to remove (FYI, read our tips on how to remove gel nail polish at home here), many of us have embraced gel manis as an easier alternative to traditional nail polish. However, according to a new study from the Skin Cancer Foundation, there may be more serious reasons to reconsider our dedication to the gel manicure.

As nail techs and anyone who’s tried out a gel manicure will know, UV-emitting devices are used to seal the polish to the nail. But how safe is it? In a statement released by the Skin Care Foundation, Vice President Elizabeth K. Hale confirmed what many already suspected: UV-emitting nail lamps are carcinogenic to humans. Although Hale describes the skin cancer risk for gel manicures as “very low,” it is not insignificant enough to ignore. The statement indicates that the risk is greatest for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the second most common skin cancer. “SCC is mainly caused by chronic UV exposure and is very common on the hands and around the fingernails,” Hale said.