UV Light & Gel Manicures

Are gel manicures safe? 

Gel polish is completely different to regular polish. Molecules in long chains make gel polish durable, these molecules make the coat of polish strong and flexible. Gel polish sets with UV light. It's worth noting both UV and LED lamps emit UV light. 

In short - there is no simple answer to the risks involved. There are studies for and against the use of UV on nails. A study conducted in 2014 found that the strength of the rays emitted from a lamp are four times stronger than normal sunlight. 

The risk of cancer due to nail lamp use is extremely low. The Skin Cancer Foundation's official position on UV light and manicure safety is thus - 'Even the most intense of these devices presents only a moderate UV risk'. 

If your client needs reassuring we recommend applying a layer of sunscreen on hands 20 minutes prior to UV exposure (avoiding getting this on the nails of course).