The use of nail dryers that use UV light to dry nail polish can be carcinogenic. This is shown by American research that was published on Tuesday in the scientific journal Nature Communications.
Scientists exposed skin cells of mice and humans to the UV radiation of the nail dryers for twenty minutes. It then turned out that 30 percent of the cells had died.
The part that did survive had damage to the DNA. This damage can be compared to melanoma, a form of skin cancer. A control group that was not exposed to the UV light had no cell damage.
The researchers call the results of the study “worrying”. “UV light damages skin cells, increasing the risk of skin cancer,” they write.
Cells more vulnerable in laboratory
However, the researchers cannot yet say with certainty whether the nail dryers cause cancer. This is because this research took place in a laboratory. Cells there are more fragile and therefore more susceptible to damage than skin cells on your hand. In addition, people often only use the nail dryers for a few minutes.
The research does make it clear that the use of the devices is risky, says KWF Cancer Control. According to the organization, it is therefore best to limit it as much as possible to minimize the risk of skin cancer.
Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. To lower your risk of getting skin cancer, you can protect your skin from UV rays from the sun and from artificial sources like tanning beds and sunlamps.