Friday, May 24, 2013
Dubai: While the idea of having a long-lasting, chip-free manicure may seem appealing to many women, doctors say the new ‘gel nail manicure’ can increase your risk of skin cancer and lead to serious skin problems.
The gel manicure, which includes three coatings of specific brands of nail polish, gives the nail a smooth and glossy look for several weeks at a time without chipping. “The new gel manicures are pretty and look very good which attracts a lot of girls, but on the flip side the polish, which stays on for a month or ever longer, can be dangerous to both the nail and the skin in the long term,” said Dr Babu Shershad from the First Medical Centre in Dubai.
Dr Shershad explained that gel manicures include an ultra-violet (UV) light that is applied over the hands after each of the three coatings of gel polish.
“The UV light applied can be associated to skin cancer as it is not only applied on the nail, but also the skin. Several medical reports have also reported the matter recently,” he said.
The lamps, which emit the UV lights used for the gel manicure, are said to cause similar skin damage caused by sunbeds when tanning.
“One way to prevent exposure to UV lights is to make sure that the salon providing the gel manicure is using machines with LED light,” said Dr Shershad.
Pointing out that only the nails should be exposed to the lamps, Dr Shershad explained that salons should use protection gloves to avoid skin damage.
“People should do their homework before going to a salon and asking for a gel manicure.”
Using large amounts of acetone to remove the gel nail polish is also harmful to the nail and even more so to the skin, he added.
Gulf News talked to Tamar Takelian from Armenia who was unhappy a couple of weeks after her gel manicure.
“I took the gel off my nails myself after it started peeling off by soaking my nails in acetone for a long period of time — it was really difficult to remove,” she said. Using UV lights during her manicure, she said that the gel manicure did not match up to the hype and adverts promoting it.
“It ruined my nails, and made them thin and brittle — it’s not worth it,” she added.
Infections
While keeping your finger and toenails clean and tidy is a necessity, Dr Shershad said that the constant application of nail polish and frequent manicures can hide the presence of infections.
“Long, overgrown nails can bury infections and bacteria sitting under the nails. Manicures and pedicures are equally important but people should follow safety precautions at home or at the salon,” said Dr Shershad.
While buffering the nail is a part of a manicure and pedicure, Dr Shershad recommends that buffering is done gently using a wooden buffer.
“The key is moderation — buffering should not be done drastically or over vigorously because it can lead to the cracking of the nail,” he said.
He also explained the nail cuticles should not be removed but should be pushed back gently instead.
“Cuticles protect the nail matrix, and so they should not be cut or trimmed but instead pushed back with a wooden spatula.”
He also highlighted the importance of sterilised tools, gentle care, and hygiene at beauty parlours.
“If the manicurist is rough, they can injure the cuticle and introduce bacteria and fungi into the nail which can lead to infections,” he added.
The doctor also urged people to take short breaks between manicures and pedicures so that the nail is polish-free and is exposed to natural air.
“Home nail care can also be an easier and cleaner option,” said Dr Shershad.
By Jumana Khamis Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
