Ultraviolet nail polish dryers could pose a health risk

January 19, 2023 — Using ultraviolet light to dry gel nail polish may contribute to cancer risk, according to a study from the University of California, San Diego.

The use of ultraviolet light in tanning has known dangers. UCSD scientists decided to look at UV nail dryers, which use a different spectrum of ultraviolet light.

“Our experimental results and previous evidence strongly suggest that radiation emitted from UV nail polish dryers can cause hand cancers and that UV nail polish dryers, similar to tanning beds, may increase the risk of early-onset skin cancer,” researchers wrote in a study published in the journal Nature Communication.

Researchers have called for more studies before they can say with certainty that using UV dryers leads to an increased risk of skin cancer.

“It is likely that such studies will take at least a decade to complete and then inform the general public,” they wrote.

A 20-minute session with a UV dryer resulted in the death of up to 30% of cells in a Petri dish, the researchers found. Three sessions bring the percentage to 70%. Engadget wrote:“Among the remaining cells, the researchers saw evidence of mitochondria and DNA damage, in addition to the mutations that have been seen in skin cancer patients.”

UV lamps are commonly used to cure gel nail polish in salons across the country and in other parts of the world, Engadget wrote. Gels last longer and with UV dryers the gel polish hardens and retains its shine.