Gel manicures are in in trend as they let you sport your favourite nail polish for up to 2 or 3 weeks without chipping. 2 out of every 3 salons will lure you into getting one done. But the question arises, is it safe? Now, when you are pushed so hard to get one for yourself by those salon owners, stop and think-is it worth it?
Is it really that serious?
The major concern attached to getting one done is the effect of UV rays on your hands in the process of exposing the sensitive skin of your fingers to ‘very’ intense UV rays. Just like the exposure you get from sun-bathing or tanning, it could lead to skin irritations, including skin cancer.
The second concern is that the gel used for manicure contains certain acrylic substances that may cause allergies and even finger deformity in the long run. One particularly dangerous ingredient, a chemical called methyl methacrylate, can cause shortness of breath as well as irritation in eyes and skin. According to the FDA, it has banned this product already but many nail products are allowed to use it and are safe to use when used according to provided directions. Now the nail salons are not required to list ingredients on labels unless they are going to sell them. Salon goers, thus do not know whether the subject chemical is being used on them or not, and also whether or not is it being used as per the given directions. These products have not been monitored by the FDA, so the chances of risks increase.
In addition to the above concerns, the effects of wearing polish and gel for long periods of time cannot be overlooked, especially when worn on toes.
Another very major concern, the use of acetone when removing gel. Although acetone is not known to be medically dangerous, it is an irritant that may cause itching, peeling and flaking of skin. In addition to that, any gel which still remains on the nails is removed by technicians, which Dermatologists believe can cause bacterial, fungal and viral infections.
What the research says?
According to Dr. Dina Tsentserensky, a New York City podiatrist, the toenails can serve as indicators for your overall health, so it is vital that polish should be removed every week and toes nails should be check for any infections, which is not at all possible with gel manicure.
Heidi Waldorf, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City states that exposure to ultra violet rays can increase risks of squamous-cell carcinoma, a distinct form of cancer, around her patients’ fingers.
Apart from skin cancers and diseases, gel manicure is known to be giving nervous disorders as well. Orly Avitzur, a medical advisor for Consumer Reports who practices in New York, had a patient who experienced an electric shock-like pain patient along her forearm every time she put any pressure on her thumb. After taking a patient history, Avitzur concluded that the patient’s gel manicure had caused nerve damage.
To gel or not to gel
Experts conclude and suggest that it is normal to take a gel manicure once in a while. But making it a part of your beauty routine can prove to be potentially dangerous.