At the very end of the gel manicure process, you will find yourself entering the drying process, where some salons will ask you to stick your fingers underneath a UV lamp to help seal and dry the polish. Dr. Agarwal suggests that this can be one of the worst parts of the gel manicure process: "Not all salons have switched to LED lights, and UV lamps are still being used to help seal and dry the polish. This can lead to UV exposure and sunburns [or even] skin cancer if repeatedly exposed." Sydney Ziverts, a health and nutrition investigator for ConsumerSafety.org, says that even though some dermatologists say that the risk of developing malignant cancer due to UV exposure from a curing lamp is low, it's best to take precautions. "The American Academy of Dermatology recommends wearing fingerless gloves or applying sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher at least 15 minutes before your gel manicure," says Ziverts.
Alexis Irene, founder of Static Nails, says that regardless of what manicure you choose (gel or acrylic), your routine trip to the nail salon weakens your nail plates through dehydration, making them frail and thin. "Your hand as a whole also becomes drier, damaged, and affected by things like UV lights," says Irene.
If you find yourself getting a gel manicure twice a month, perhaps alternate between gel and regular to let your nails heal and grow. If you really want to improve your hand health, go natural for a week or two, so that your nails can fully breathe.
