Doing phototherapy manicures causes skin cells to die!Foreign research: there are carcinogenic doubts
Phototherapy manicure has good texture and good durability, and is favored by many women. However, according to a new study published in the journal Nature Communications, the lamps used to solidify phototherapy gels contain ultraviolet radiation that can damage human DNA and cause cancer-causing mutations in cells, raising concerns regarding skin cancer.
Ultraviolet light is a kind of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength range of 10 to 400 nm. Among them, UVA has a wavelength of 315 to 400 nm, which can penetrate deeply into the skin. It is often used in phototherapy nail machines that have been popular in the past decade. solidify.
Phototherapy machine exposure causes skin cell damage and death
The researchers pointed out that the phototherapy machines commonly used in nail salons usually use ultraviolet lamps with wavelengths of 340 to 395 nm, and tanning uses 280 to 400 nm. Irradiating the skin cells of humans and mice with a phototherapy machine, once for 20 minutes, will cause 20% to 30% of the cells to die, following three consecutive 20 minutes of irradiation, up to 60% to 70% of the skin cells will die, and the remaining skin will The cells’ mitochondria and DNA were significantly damaged and showed the same mutational pattern as skin cancer.
Ludmil Alexandrov, an associate professor of bioengineering and of cellular and molecular medicine at UC San Diego, said phototherapy nail devices are advertised as safe, but as far as is known, no one has actually studied them and how it affects human cells.
Julia Curtis, an assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Utah, said these findings reconfirm the harmful effects of UV radiation and show that cell death and tissue damage may lead to skin cancer, she described: “Sunbathing Listed as a carcinogen, phototherapy nails are a mini sunbath for your nails.”
Female dermatologist teaches you to reduce the risk of phototherapy
If you’re concerned regarding the cancer risk of phototherapy manicures but don’t want to give up your beautiful fingertips, there are some precautions you can take to reduce your risk.
1 Use ordinary nail polish.
2. Switching to phototherapy nail alternatives, such as off-the-shelf nail patches, does not require the use of light coagulation.
3 Use skin care products rich in antioxidants (such as vitamin C) for your hands before phototherapy.
4. Apply sunscreen containing zinc and titanium around the nails, and wear mitts to protect the skin of the hands when performing phototherapy on the nails.
5 UV rays will age the skin, manifested as sunburn and wrinkles. If you often do phototherapy manicures, you can consult a dermatologist to check your skin for any signs of skin cancer, so that you can treat it early.
The lifespan of phototherapy manicure is much longer than that of ordinary nail polish, but experts remind that people with a history of skin cancer, fairer skin or albinism, drugs or immunosuppression who are more sensitive to light should be more careful. However, complete protection is still not possible today, so the best way is still to avoid phototherapy manicures.
Original source:A common nail salon tool may cause DNA damage and mutations in human cells, research finds