Nail gel dryer can cause DNA damage

Do you usually use gel nails? Then this alert might serve you: a study published in Nature Communications She found that radiation from ultraviolet light dryers can damage DNA and lead to cancer-causing mutations.

To come to this discovery, the researchers exposed human and mouse cells to ultraviolet light, and realized that a 20-minute session resulted in 30% of the cells dying. Three consecutive 20-min exposures caused about 70% of the exposed cells to die. The remaining cells suffered mitochondrial and DNA damage, resulting in mutations with patterns seen in melanoma.

While a traditional manicure allows the nail polish to dry naturally, the gel nail needs to be cured or sealed, and the polymers in the nail polish must be activated, so this can only be done with UVA lights.

Researchers say more thinking is needed about the risks of exposing hands and fingers to UVA light without any protection. With this in mind, experts have highlighted some precautions that may contain risks. Applying sunscreen around your nails and wearing UV gloves with your fingertips cut off might be an idea.

“Unfortunately, complete protection is not possible, so the best recommendation is to avoid these dryers altogether,” the researchers say. Another clue is that if you use gel nails regularly, it is worth consulting a dermatologist to check the skin for precursors of skin cancer and treat it early.

It should also be noted that people with a history of skin cancer or people who are more sensitive to light due to light skin, albinism, medication or immunosuppression should be extra careful when taking precautions.

Source: Nature Communications via CNN

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