Gel manicures and pedicures are popular because they last longer than traditional nail polish and are less likely to chip. Whether you visit a professional nail salon or use at-home tools, most long-lasting products rely on drying devices like ultraviolet (UV) nail dryers.
These lamps may be called UV lamps or LED lamps but many still put out ultraviolet UVA light. That means the skin on your fingers and toes and the tops of your hands and feet may get UV exposure every time the polish or gel is cured.
UVA exposure is linked to skin aging and skin cancer risk, but studies have not yet proven that nail lamps cause skin cancer.
“The current evidence suggests a theoretical, plausible cancer risk, but there is not yet strong long-term human data proving that typical salon use causes skin cancer,” said Nathan Papadeas, PA, a specialist in dermatology with Banner Health.
What types of manicures and pedicures use UV or LED lamps?
Nail services that may use a curing lamp include:
- Gel polish manicures and pedicures
- Shellac-style manicures
- Builder gel
- Hard and soft gel overlays, extensions or Gel-X-style services
- Chrome or nail art sealed with gel topcoat
- Dip powder manicures finished with a gel topcoat
- At-home gel polish kits
- Some “no-chip” manicures
Traditional nail polish usually air dries and does not need a UV or LED lamp.
Are LED nail lamps safer than UV nail lamps?
“LED nail lamps are usually considered better mainly because they cure gel faster and often use less UV exposure overall,” Papadeas said.
But LED nail lamps are not necessarily UV-free. Many LED nail lamps still use UV light for curing gel nail polish. These lamps may cure polish faster but that doesn’t mean you get zero UV exposure.
Do UV nail dryers cause skin cancer?
We know that UV exposure from sunlight and tanning beds raises your risk for skin cancer. But nail lamps expose a smaller area of skin for a shorter time.
UV nail dryers have not been proven to cause skin cancer but lab studies show they can damage DNA in cells. UV exposure adds up over time, so being exposed frequently is more worrisome than once in a while.
To be safe, it’s a good idea to protect exposed skin during gel or lamp-cured manicures.
What did the 2023 Nature Communications study find?
The 2023 study, titled DNA damage and somatic mutations in mammalian cells after irradiation with a nail polish dryer, found that UV nail polish dryers caused DNA damage, cell death and mutations in lab-grown cells. The results do not prove nail lamps cause cancer in humans and cells in a dish are not the same as normal human skin cells. Still, the study raises concerns.
How does nail lamp UV exposure compare with tanning beds?
Nail lamps are not the same as tanning beds. They expose a smaller part of your body for a shorter time. But they still put out UVA light and that exposure can add up over time.
Who should be more cautious with UV nail lamps?
You may want to be extra cautious if you:
- Have a history of skin cancer
- Have a strong family history of skin cancer
- Have a lot of precancerous spots or significant sun damage
- Take medications or have a health condition that makes you more sensitive to the sun
- Are immunosuppressed
- Have fair skin that burns easily
- Work in a nail salon and have repeated exposure
“People who get gel manicures often should also pay attention, because risk adds up with repeated exposure,” Papadeas said.
Are dip powder manicures safer than gel?
With dip powder nails, you can avoid nail drying equipment entirely. But if you have a dip manicure gel topcoat, it must be cured under a UV or LED lamp.
What about at-home gel nail kits?
At-home gel nail kits can expose your hands and feet to UVA light. Follow the instructions and protect your hands and feet with sunscreen or gloves.
How to protect your hands during gel or dip manicures
To reduce UV exposure, apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen to your hands or wear UV-protective fingerless gloves before curing gel polish.
You can also choose traditional polish that air dries or space out gel manicures (or pedicures) instead of getting them continuously.
Other nail health risks to know
Gel, dip and acrylic manicures can also cause:
- Nail thinning
- Brittleness
- Lifting
- Irritation
- Allergic reactions
- Infection
How often is too often for gel manicures?
There is no exact safe number of gel manicures but when you get them often you’re exposing your skin to more UVA rays and can damage your nails. Taking breaks and protecting your hands can lower your risk.
When to see a dermatologist
See a dermatologist if you notice:
- A dark or changing streak in a nail
- Dark pigment spreading onto the skin near the nail
- A new growth under or near the nail
- A nail that lifts, splits or bleeds without an injury
- A sore near the nail that does not heal
- Redness, swelling, pain or drainage
- A spot on the hands or fingers that changes, bleeds or does not heal
You should also talk to a dermatologist if:
- You have a history of skin cancer and are unsure whether UV nail lamps are safe for you
- You want a skin cancer screening or nail exam
Bottom line
“The risk from nail lamps is probably low for most people but it is not zero. If you want the safest option, choose regular polish or dip nails that avoid the UV curing light. If you use gel nails often, it is smart to protect your hands and feet,” Papadeas said.
If you notice a new or changing spot on your hands or feet or a nail change that does not go away, make an appointment with a Banner Health dermatologist who can check your skin and nails.
Frequently asked questions
Do UV nail dryers cause skin cancer?
UV nail dryers have not been proven to cause skin cancer in humans but they emit UVA light and lab studies show DNA damage in cells. Protecting your hands or feet is a reasonable precaution.
Are LED nail lamps safer than UV lamps?
LED nail lamps may cure polish faster but many still emit UVA light. Treat both UV and LED nail lamps as sources of UV exposure.
Do dip powder nails use UV light?
Not always but some salons use a gel topcoat that is cured under a UV or LED lamp.
Should I wear sunscreen before a gel manicure?
Yes. Applying broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen to the backs of your hands or tops of your feet before curing can help reduce UV exposure.
Do fingerless UV gloves work for gel manicures?
UV-protective fingerless gloves can help cover the hands while leaving the nails exposed for curing.
Is an at-home gel nail lamp safe?
At-home gel lamps can expose your skin to UVA light. Follow instructions carefully, avoid getting gel on your skin and protect your hands (or feet) with sunscreen or gloves.
Can gel manicures damage your nails?
Yes. Repeated gel manicures, harsh removal, filing and acetone can thin or weaken nails. Take breaks if nails become brittle, painful or they lift.
What nail changes could be a sign of skin cancer?
A dark or changing streak in one nail, pigment spreading onto nearby skin, bleeding, nail lifting, a growth under the nail or a sore that does not heal should be checked by a dermatologist.
