We all have heard enough about the importance of wearing SPF religiously. Whether we are out in the sun or in front of our screens, we all know how important it is to wear sunscreen. The harmful effects of the UV radiations aren’t a secret anymore and most of us are aware of the cancer-causing skin damage done by these rays. So we all have chosen to layer our skin with a broad-spectrum SPF for our beach vacations and even for our desk jobs every day.
But have you ever wondered that even your nail salons can become a cause of UV damage to your skin and the threat of skin cancer? Well, this isn’t a lie. UV damage from the harmful rays of gel nail curing lamps is real and there are instances of skin problems due to that. So now the question is, how to protect skin from a UV nail lamp? Here we are to help you get an answer to this buzzing question. Read on to learn more.
How to Protect Skin from a UV Nail Lamp
Now that you know that UV rays can damage your skin and nails, it’s time to understand that we are not talking just about the harmful UVA and UVB radiations of the sun. The ultraviolet light emitted by various devices like laptop screens, mobile phones, and even nail gel curing lamps can cause damage to your delicate skin resulting in sunburns besides the risk of skin cancer. Over or prolonged exposure to these harmful ultraviolet rays can cause deeper damage to your epidermis than you’d imagine.
Now recall your last visit to the nail salon and think of the time you spent chatting with your manicurist while your nail polish was baking under the light. Though the damage cannot be felt physically and cannot even be seen visibly in a few instances, if you keep doing this regularly – carelessly treating your hands and nails while getting your gel manicures done – then you’re doing more harm than good to them.
No, we are not asking you to stop getting your gel manicures done altogether. That isn’t the solution. Protecting your face from sunburn doesn’t mean you don’t go for that beach vacation, right? So what do you do? You look after it and invest it a good SPF and aftercare, don’t you? In the same way, all you need is to look after your hands and nails while getting your manicures done and invest in good aftercare.
But before you do that, you need to understand how UV gel manicures damage your skin and what you can do to protect yourself. Let’s take a look.
Do Gel Manicures Damage Your Skin?
If you still didn’t get the answer to this question, well it’s a yes! Gel manicures do damage your skin and nails too.
Firstly, gel manicures last long without chipping or peeling. But the approach to getting them done can be causing damage to your nails and skin. Abrasive filing and thick opaque layers of gel may look glossy and aesthetic but may result in damaging the nail anatomy and even fungal nail infections which can ruin the skin around your nails.
Besides, the process of getting your structured gel manicures done is to cure them using nail lamps. The UV/LED curing lamps are used to harden and secure your nail gels as a part of the process. This is done by the strong UVA rays emitted by these lamps. Now these harmful rays with a longer wavelength are known for penetrating deeply into your skin causing skin cells to age prematurely.
Now you might think, can a few minutes of just curing my gel polish under the UV lamp lead to harmful damage? Well not literally a few minutes, but a regular frequency of those few minutes may lead to it. From photoaging to skin cancer, many skin-damaging effects can be attributed to regular exposure to UV curing lamps.
Side Effects of UV Nail Lamps
Scientifically speaking, when the UV radiations from the curing lamps penetrate deep into your skin, they can cause certain long-term damages. Some of the common side effects of getting gel manicures using UV nail lamps are discussed below.
1) They can compromise the strength and health of your nails. There are many ways gel manicures can weaken your nails which includes overexposure to acetone and abrasive tools. But one important factor that leads to weakness and brittleness is exposure to UV radiations. The UV lamps harden multiple layers of gel on top of your natural nail surface and very close to the cuticle skin. This can result in damage and irritation underneath and around your skin. Remember pulling out your hand from the lamp due to sudden striking pain after applying a builder gel or a top coat? This is what we are talking about here.
2) The long-term damages of UV curing lamps include skin tanning, dark spots, premature aging, and wrinkles. If you have a habit of repeatedly getting salon manicures done or even DIYing your gel manicures at home regularly, you may observe some of these side effects over a prolonged period and you might not even notice that the cause can be a curing lamp emitting UV rays. The most dangerous side effect is that it even has a risk of causing skin cancer which is becoming very common these days.
You don’t need to be scared of gel manicures after learning all this. All you need is to be aware and careful. Adopt some precautionary and preventive measures to protect your hands and nails during a UV gel manicure.
Tips to Protect Your Hands and Nails During a UV Gel Manicure
Here are some tips and tricks on how to protect skin from a UV nail lamp.
1) Slather on SPF:
Just as you swear by applying your sunscreen at work and for vacations, similarly develop a habit of layering your hands and nails properly with a broad-spectrum SPF that provides coverage against UVA and UVB rays. Invest in a good brand that promises at least SPF 50 with ultraviolet protection. Don’t forget your fingers, nails, and even cuticles for complete shielding.
2) Pick a Good Salon
It is always better to get your manicures done at a professional nail salon with experienced manicurists rather than DIYing them or getting them done by amateurs only to ruin your experience. Make sure you choose a reputable salon that uses quality tools and materials and sterilized instruments for all its clients.
3) Wear UV Protection Gloves
Invest in a special type of gloves meant to be worn during your manicures. Yes, it is a thing! Also known as anti-UV gloves or UV-absorbent gloves, these are fingerless gloves designed to be worn under UV gel nail lamps. They add an extra layer of protection from UV exposure and can be put on specifically when interacting with the UV/LED curing lamp.
Being afraid of the cancer-causing harmful UV rays doesn’t mean you have to bid adieu to your favorite gel manicures permanently. Be smart in your choices and adopt careful practices to get the best results without the fear of UV damage to your skin.
Wrapping Up
Ensuring your skin’s safety while enjoying the benefits of a UV nail lamp is essential for a healthy, worry-free manicure experience. By following the protective measures outlined in this guide, you can minimize the risk of UV exposure and keep your hands looking youthful and radiant. Remember, a little extra care goes a long way. So, arm yourself with sunscreen, gloves, or LED lamps, and continue to flaunt your gorgeous nails with confidence and peace of mind!
