Are gel manicures safe? What to know about UV nail dryers

A new study is raising questions about the safety of popular gel manicures and pedicures, suggesting that UV dryers used to set polish may pose a risk to your health. NBC’s Vicky Nguyen reports for TODAY.

About: TODAY brings you the latest headlines and expert tips on money, health and parenting. We wake up every morning to give you and your family all you need to start your day. If it matters to you, it matters to us. We are in the people business. Subscribe to our channel for exclusive TODAY archival footage & our original web series.

Connect with TODAY Online!

About: TODAY All Day is a 24/7 streaming channel bringing you the top stories in news and pop culture, celebrity interviews, cooking, and more. All in one place.

#manicure #health #skin

[lindsaypaige]

For anyone womdering, this study used 20min in a UV nail lamp, even though most lamps on the market are now LED and also your hands should only be in the lamp for 30sec-1min cure each layer so about 3-5min each hand per mani normally.

The people conducting the study didnt use the actual variables comparable to getting a manicure, they said nah put the hand in for 20min

[nataliag]

Why don’t they first tackle the food industry and show how much garbage they are allowing to be sold on shelves

[elizabethr]

No one here is even discussing the cancer risks from the VOCs in the air and the acetone they make these women soak their finger tips in 😭 it's so horrible

[joshuarock]

soo driving your car everyday in the sun no spf on hands is ok but lamp for 10 minutes every month is bad? yea done nails for 16 years i only use lamps and nothing and i use gloves on the fear mongering customers

[leonadior]

I use LED lamp for my gel nails at home, I confirm that my skin on my hands become older looking compare with my arms skin. I decided to no longer use any gel manicure of any sorts.

[juicyparsons]

Most salons stopped using UV in the States years ago but go off 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🤦🏾‍♀️

[RockieC]

Ridiculous. You don’t leave your hands In there for 5 whole minutes. It’s not a tanning bed.

[paytonpryor]

I have one nail like that and I had stage 3 melanoma. I need to get it checked.

[vo.]

the amount of misinformation in this is embarrassing and gives nail techs an even harder time tryna explain these things to clients 😭

[giselac]

The way this study was conducted does not compare to real world conditions. I'd like to know who funded this study.

[jennifer]

I get gel for special occasions. Let my nails breathe every other month. I also own a salon. The lights have gotten better over time to LED lights and only for 30 seconds.

[bellesbelle]

It doesn’t make sense. Why nails have to get damaged the DNA while having gel nails under UV lamp
when we have much more exposure on the sun 100%.

[cprivera]

I guess there is a benifit to being cheap. I refuse to pay so much money at nail salons so I just do them myself

[lorena]

so sad because they last so long. I even dont put regular nail polish on everyday. only on special occasions

[QUEENMJ]

Now how about spf and funny creams that will be created just to use under the LED.

[ermiraferizi-nfdh]

Can someone explain me is it safe or not I want to open an salom nails?

[ungphuc]

I guess I’ll have to use PressOn Nails…

[_of_]

LED minimize the amount of exposure so you definitely want LED

[LexyTheEbikeQueen]

But the gloves no good because its my cuticles every time i get gel anything the next day mines are swollen and itchy

[SsnMlkBly]

@Essie better bring out more gel couture colours!