GEL MANICURE CONCERNS

In a fast paced world of up and coming mobile women, manicures are no longer a luxury for special occasions but a staple for women of all statas of society. There are thousands of nail studios in beauty shops across the country.

 Gel nail polish is a new trend in the manicure business. It is  the process of applying a gel like nail polish on the nails, which are then placed under ultraviolent light for a few minutes to harden. The finished product looks flawless and lasts sometimes up to 3weeks

. The nails dry quickly and do not smudge like regular manicures, they are chip resistant and have a smooth, glossy professional finish. Some experts have expressed concerns about the safety of gel manicures, the UV light poses concern as it emits harmful rays which increases the risk of developing melanomas and other skin cancers, also skin aging. However some experts in the nail industry have allayed these fears due to the low dosage of the UV light and the short period the nails are exposed to the light.

It is advisable to use sunscreen on hands before placing them under the UV lamps, because the gel polish bonds to natural nails through the curing from the UV light, it blocks oxygen transfer through the nails. This results in dryness, discoloration and thinning of the nails.

Some of the ingredients in the gel   nail polish are thought to be toxic like butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and it is advisable to use with caution.

The removal process involves soaking of the nails in acetone for 10-15 minutes, which can cause the nails to become brittle and damage the nail bed.

Some people have reported allergic reactions to the gel manicure, burning, itching redness and pain around the nail bed.

It is advisable to limit gel manicures if people notice their nails becoming weak and unhealthy.