Many women enjoy getting a manicure and consider it to be a special treat.
Experts warn that this common, and expensive, habit can cause cancerous skin.
Researchers in the US found that UV lamps used by high-street salons for hardening gel and drying nails can cause skin damage in a way similar to sunbeds.
A series of studies by experts revealed that a large proportion of skin cells exposed repeatedly to the light from these lamps had died.
The cells that did survive had signs of damage, which increases the risk of developing skin cancer.
The authors of a paper published in Nature Communications warned that “Our results strongly suggest” that UV nail polish dryers emit radiation which may cause hand cancer.
The researchers added that UV nail polish dryers are similar to tanning bed and may increase the risk for early-onset cancer.
They explained, however, that the study did not provide direct evidence suggesting the devices cause cancer.
After years of “getting her nails done”, beauty queen Karolina jasko developed skin cancer.
Karolina was crowned Miss Illinois 2018 and noticed a dark line under her nail. It turned out to be Subungual Melanoma. This aggressive skin cancer affects the nailbed.
Dr Walayat Hussain is a spokesperson for the British Association of Dermatologists. He previously told The Sun Online that “Nail Melanoma occurs, but it’s a very rare form of melanoma.”
It is a pigmented, isolated streak that runs through your nail.
It is similar to having a mole on the nail. The process is the same as it would be anywhere else in the body, it just happens that it occurs where the nail is.
To protect your hands from potentially damaging rays The Skin Cancer Foundation suggests applying a broad-spectrum sunblock to them 20 minutes prior to treatment.
This precaution is not effective against subungual melanomas.
When getting a regular mani-pedi, it is best to let the nails air dry naturally. Avoid using drying lamps and use an air blower, fan or other device without UV light.