Could Your Manicure Increase Your Risk for Skin Cancer?

Did you know your weekly manicure could be increasing your risk for skin cancer? The lights used to quickly dry and set your nails could be doing more harm than good.

Thursday, June 17th 2010, 5:44 pm

By: News 9


By Adrianna Iwasinski, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Did you know your weekly manicure could be increasing your risk for skin cancer? The lights used to quickly dry and set your nails could be doing more harm than good.

"Very surprised. I've been doing my nails now for 30 years and never realized," said Jan Halstead.

Those who get artificial nails are at greatest risk because the gel and acrylic used needs to be set by these lights.

The alarming information comes from a recent study published in the Archive of Dermatology. The study examined a group of healthy middle aged women with no history of skin cancer or sun damage. The ones with skin cancer on top of their hands however did report they had regular exposure to UV lights at nail salons.

"The more that you do it, the more likely you are to get a problem and potentially a skin cancer," said Dr. Renee Grau, a dermatologist at St. Anthony's in Oklahoma City.

Dr. Grau said there are some simple things you can do to avoid the risk while still keeping your nails pretty: wear sunscreen on your hands or avoid the lights altogether.

Jan Halstead said she plans on wearing sunscreen from now on and she's glad there's an option that won't ruin her weekly beauty routine.

However, Dr. Grau said some sunscreen lotions take up to 30 minutes to absorb. She suggests rubbing on a sunscreen with zinc oxide and an SPF of at least 30 since it starts protecting immediately. Just put it on the top of your hands right before you put your hands under the lights.

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