Erin is a writer and educator born and raised in New Jersey. She writes about lifestyle, travel, women's health, and wedding and event planning.
It’s hard to imagine life before gel manicures, isn’t it? No drying time, a glossy finish, and two-week staying power is the stuff nail dreams are made of, especially for those about to say "I do". However, are these manicures all that safe?
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Gel-Manicure-e157a77fabc24a6e8ddb1372c3ced81d.jpg?strip=all "The Truth About Gel Nails: Is The UV Lamp Really Safe?")
It’s a question that’s been contested and debated almost since the gel manicure has been invented. Should you really be placing your hands under UV lamps in the name of ring selfies? Since there have been hot takes all around, we decided to ask NYC-based dermatologists Joshua Zeichner, MD, and Shari Marchbein, MD, for their expert opinions.
Uv Nail Drying Lamp.....does It Work With Normal Nail Polish??
Read on for expert intel on the long-term effects of UV lamps, protective measures to consider, and manicure alternatives that deliver similar results without the worry.
Over the past several years, there have been many concerns surrounding UV light usage when it comes to gel manicures. The experts break it down below.
For most professional gel manicures, the polish needs to be dried and cured under a special ultraviolet lamp. As one might assume, exposure to this type of light is not the healthiest thing in the world. Dr. Zeichner explains, “Excessive exposure to ultraviolet light, even in the form of a nail polish dryer, can increase the risk of the exposed skin to premature aging.” The skin on the hand is also thinner than other parts of the body, which means it's able to lose elasticity faster and age at a much more rapid rate.
Gel Nail Polish Uv Lamp Kit Soak Off Gel Nail Starter Kit Manicure Nail Salon Au
There have, in fact, been a few reports of skin cancers, primarily basal cell skin cancer, developing on the hands as a result of these manicures, according to Dr. Marchbein. “It is unknown, ultimately, what repeated exposure to small amounts of UV light every two weeks [the typical time in between manicures] will do in the long term, " she notes.
Aside from the potential damage to the skin of your hands, around the fingernails, and cuticles, Dr. Marchbein says that gel manicures can also weaken your nails—similar to artificial and acrylic nail applications. So, she explains, “my preference is to only get gel manicures if there is a special occasion, such as traveling for an extended period or a wedding. Then, regular manicures for the rest of the year.”
Both doctors suggest that sunscreen and fingerless gloves can help to lessen any risk. According to Dr. Marchbein, if you must get a gel mani, you can protect yourself by applying “a broad spectrum SPF 30-plus prior to manicures” and “wearing a UPF [ultraviolet protection factor] glove with the fingertips cut off.”
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel: Hybrid Gel Polish Needs No Lamp + First Swatches
If the thought of sitting for a gel manicure still makes you uneasy, Dr. Marchbein recommends you skip the gel and get a regular manicure. She adds that a gel alternative, such as Gel Couture by Essie, “definitely lasts longer than a regular manicure and doesn’t require the same upkeep as gels.”
Thanks to the visual ASMR glory of their application process, dip powder nails have become the social media trend du jour. The technique is popular for its long-lasting durability (up to a month!) and easy at-home application. The system follows a sequence of applying a bonding agent onto clean nails, dipping or painting overtop with the colored powder, and then sealing everything in with a top coat to achieve results similar to those of gel nails. The main drawback is that the removal process requires soaking, similar to acrylics, which can be a bit time-consuming. It's important to be diligent about doing this correctly, as failing to do so or attempting to peel off the color (eek!) will damage the nail plate and weaken the nail.
If anything brings a wave of adolescent nostalgia, it's the humble press-on nail. But long gone are the days of those chunky, ill-fitting nails as a new era of press-on has emerged. The market is overflowing with a variety of various shapes, colors, and embellishments to suit every style—and you can even have them custom-designed if you're feeling fancy. From coffins to sporty squoval and feminine almond shapes, we love this option for testing out the latest tip trends with zero downtime. To apply, just add a small drop of nail glue to the natural nail and press the synthetic nail on top. As with dip nails, the removal process isn't without its drawbacks. We recommend painting a base layer of nail polish to protect the nail beds before applying the nail glue and using warm, soapy water to weaken the adhesive when removing.
Gel Polish Packs With Uv/led Gel Nail Lamp
Option, but a classic is a classic for a reason. If anything has withstood the test of time in the nail space, it's a tried-and-true lacquer. Their formulas, however, are anything but stagnant with many brands not only removing toxic ingredients but also adding skin-loving nutrients to leave nails healthier than before. While this mani may not be the most long-lasting—and, of course, there's some drying time required—we consider it a small price to pay for strong, nourished nails.
Consider nail stickers the convenient (and long-awaited!) lovechild of the press-on nail and traditional nail polish. There are tons of styles and colors to choose from, but, unlike press-on nails, these mimic the shape of the natural nail and won't add length or new tip shape. With a fool-proof system where you literally just peel-and-stick onto clean, natural nails and file off the excess, the process couldn't be easier
Faster (you can even do your nails on a plane!). Results will typically last up to a week and sometimes longer, depending on the material (gel polish, for example) of the sticker.It is a general belief that UV light causes harm to the nail, and this is what pushed nail technologists to make new models of gel polishes that do not need UV light. These polishes are called gel effect nail polishes.
Gel Nail Polish Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty Free Images
It is a convenient invention, and it is just like an ordinary polish because you don't need UV or LED lights to cure it. It air-dries. And it hardens more when exposed to the natural sun UV rays. And it does not require lengthy soaking to remove.
They are not made in transparent bottles because no rays of light should touch them before application or thicken the polish. It is easy to use, and it causes fewer damages to the nails. Nail primers are not needed, and the polish stays more than ordinary polish.
Gel-effect nail polish has a lot of advantages for people with allergies or not. Continue reading to find some of the benefits below:
What Can You Do To Get Gel Nail Polish Dry Without An Uv Light?
Gel-like polish is one of the latest innovations in the nail care industry. Most nail brands now produce their lines of gel-like polish. Some of the popular brands are in the list below. Continue reading!
OPI is one of the leading nail care companies in the world. OPI is famous for its unwavering quality in the products. Coty owns OPI; it also owns Sally Hansen.
The Infinite Shine is now with a ProStay Technology Formula that makes it last for up to 11 days. It has a 3 step application system. You don't need base coat or lamp for the manicure. It uses a primer, gloss, and lacquer.
Is Gel Polish Bad For Your Nails?
CND vinylux is the top pick for gel nail polishes without UV light. It has gorgeous colors and is easy to use, and also durable.
CND is the maker of the popular shellac gel nail polish, one of the early gel nail polish. Vinylux is similar to shellac, and it shares the same color names as shellac. You can use Vinylux for touch-ups after applying a shellac manicure or when it chips off.
CND makes Vinylux as a weekly polish if it is appropriately applied. It does not need a base coat, and you do not need to buff your nails or apply primers. You need to use your favorite color and apply the particular Vinylux topcoat. The unique coat gives the pin a shiny look.
Are Gel Nail Polish Manicures Safe? Uv Drying Lamps May Damage Dna: Study
Vinylux is a healthy gel nail polish that is not harmful to the nail. And it is an excellent choice for people allergic to gels. It does not contain acrylates that cause allergies to gel polishes.
You can remove it with a non-acetone-based polish remover. It becomes more rigid on the nail the longer you wear it, but that does not make it harder to remove.
Sally Hansen is one of the most popular and oldest nail brands in the nail industry. It was founded in 1946 when the company's nail line was called Hard as Nails.
The 11 Best Gel Nail Polishes Of 2023
Sally Hansen's most popular product in the market is the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel. It is durable and does not chip off. You can wear this gel-like polish for more than a week.
It is also not harmful to the nails and vegan nail polish. It does not require UV light to cure it; it dries in a few minutes after application. It shrinks when placed under a UV or LED lamp.
You need to apply two layers of your preferred color and then add a Miracle
Newbie Error? I Did Gel Nail Polish For The First Time Using A Uv Light. I Had Cured Each Hand For Quite Some Time, And After Using Top Coat, Around My Nails
