Scientists scrutinize potential health risks of UV lamps in hybrid manicures

Hybrid manicures have gained worldwide popularity. Scientists have been exploring whether the process of hardening nail polish with a UV lamp is as safe as the manufacturers claim. Unfortunately, there seem to be reasons for concern.

Scientists from the University of San Diego and the University of Pittsburgh endeavored to determine the safety of hybrid manicures. Many manufacturers maintain that this approach to nail treatment isn't only convenient, but most importantly, poses no health risk.

The research team examined three types of cells: human skin keratinocytes (an integral part of the epidermis), human fibroblasts (connective tissue cells), and embryonic mouse fibroblasts. These were exposed to the UV lamp in three separate 20-minute sessions, each an hour apart. 48 hours after the exposure, the samples were analyzed and the findings were rather concerning.

Scientists from California found that each exposure session resulted in the death of some cells that were subjected to the UV lamp. After three 20-minute sessions, as many as 70 percent of them were lost. The study was published in the January issue of the scientific journal "Nature Communications".

Scientists were prompted to scrutinize the effects of UV lamps used in hybrid manicures after reading an article about a beauty pageant participant in America who was diagnosed with a rare type of skin cancer. The conclusions are disturbing.

Based on our tests and existing evidence, it appears that radiation from UV lamps, similar to tanning beds, may raise the risk of skin cancer.

However, the team underscored the need for prolonged research to fully confirm this. They noted that during a typical hybrid manicure, our hands are not exposed to the UV lamp for 20 minutes at a stretch, but for about 30 seconds in total. Thus, the researchers aren't raising any immediate alarms.