Do Nail Lamps Cause Cancer: The Experts’ Final Answer

The study “DNA damage and somatic mutations in mammalian cells after irradiation with a nail dryer”, published in January 2023 in the journal Nature Communications, showed that UV radiation from a nail dryer caused DNA damage and mutations that are a potential cause of skin cancer. The scientists also found that exposure to ultraviolet rays for 20 minutes leads to the death of 20-30% of isolated human skin cells and animal cells that were used in the experiment.

As Emanuela Taioli, MD explains, when UV light damages DNA in skin cells, repair mechanisms are triggered in the body to repair it. However, if the damage is severe, the defense system can fail, which in turn leads to mutations that trigger the development of skin cancer.

However, the sun is not the only source of ultraviolet radiation. They are also solariums, certain types of lasers and halogen and fluorescent lamps. According to Anthony Rossi, MD, the amount of radiation that causes mutations and can lead to skin cancer is difficult to estimate accurately and varies from person to person.

There are precedents linking nail lamps to the development of cancer: for example, in 2009 a study looked at the cases of two women who developed skin cancer on their hands. The girls used dryers for gel polish, but the authors of the scientific work came to the conclusion that this was only a possible risk factor.

Despite the new data, Rossi and Taioli believe there is not enough information to speak of a link between nail lamp use and cancer. “The latest study was done on animals and isolated human skin cells, which is different from real-life situations where the body’s repair mechanisms kick in,” says Taioli.

In another study published in 2012, scientists used a mathematical model to estimate the likelihood of developing cancer due to dryer gels. They calculated that hundreds of thousands of women would have to have their nails done every three weeks for one of them to develop squamous cell carcinoma before the age of 80.

However, experts say it’s still a good idea to protect your skin from UV exposure. To do this, they advise using sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher or cotton gloves that absorb UV rays.