Can UV Nail Lamp Harm the DNA in Your Hands?

We all know the dangers of UV light, but did you know that the UV nail lamp that's used to cure gel nail polishes and manicures can also impact the skin – in fact, it can harm the DNA in your hands and lead to skin cancer? Yes, that’s right.

Previously, there were no studies regarding the link between UV nail lamp and skin cancer, but a new study regarding the molecular side of the lamp has found some surprising effects. Read on to find out what UV lights are and how a UV nail lamp can harm the DNA in your hands.

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What are UV lights?

Exposure to UV lights can cause premature aging. (Photo via Pexels/Pixabay)

UV lights or ultraviolet lights are basically a type of electromagnetic radiation, responsible for sunburns and summer tans. This electromagnetic radiation comes from the sun and is further transmitted in small particles and waves at different frequencies and wavelengths as well.

Too much exposure to UV rays is harmful and damaging and can lead to various health issues, including immune system suppression, premature aging, and cataracts, and also increase the chances of skin cancer.

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What is the new study about the UV nail lamp?

The study’s findings state that UV lights emitted from a UV nail lamp can damage the DNA. Researchers at the University of San Diego closely studied these lamps and found that their use can lead to cell death and cancer-causing mutations in human cells.

While a UV nail lamp has always been marketed as safe and is a common device at every nail salon, according to researchers, no one has ever studied this device's ffect on human cells till now.

Three different cell lines were used for the study

In the aforementioned study, experts used three different cell lines – human foreskin fibroblasts, adult human skin keratinocytes, and mouse embryonic fibroblasts. They found that the use of a UV nail lamp for just one 20-minute session led to approximately 30% of cell death, and three consecutive sessions caused 65-70% of cell death.

In the remaining cells, though, UV light caused DNA and mitochondrial damange and led to mutations too. An important thing to note here is that the mutations found were the same as observed in skin cancer in humans.

Gel nail paints require UV lamps. (Photo via Pexels/Cheda Stankovic)

As per researchers, after every use of this nail lamp, they found DNA getting damaged and not repaired over time, mitochondrial dysfunction, and mutations.

While these studies do not provide direct results for cancer-causing risk, they do suggest that a higher level of risk could be there if this device is used regularly. Researchers also believe that further epidemiological studies will be needed before confirming that UV light-based machines pose a risk of skin cancer.