Gel Manicures

Are They Safe?

Are gel manicures safe? This is a common question in the office and amongst my family and friends. First, let’s start with the basics.

What is a Gel Manicure? 

Gel manicures differ from a regular manicure in the type of nail polish that is applied.  First, a primer or base coat is applied, followed by multiple coats of colored polish and a topcoat.  The polish is cured, set, or dried by placing the nails under a special UV light.  The benefit of a gel manicure is that it lasts a long time and does not chip as easily as regular polish.

Is the UV light safe?

This is where some of the questions arise.  The light is usually an intense UVA light, so sunscreen or a protective glove should be applied to the skin to prevent UV damage to the skin.  UVA causes premature aging of the skin and increases the risk of skin cancer.

What about the polish itself, is it safe?   Nail polishes of all kinds are safe for most individuals.  Many nail polishes contain chemicals that people try to avoid. Some polishes, like those from SpaRitual, do not contain as many harmful chemicals.  Some people are sensitive and even allergic to common ingredients in nail polish.  Gel polish itself is not inherently more damaging, but the removal process may be.  Gel polish stays on so well that it is difficult to remove it.  The nails need to be soaked in pure acetone and wrapped in aluminum foil to be removed.  The majority of damage to the nail occurs in attempts to remove the polish in other ways.

If my nails don’t grow right, can I still have a gel manicure?  Yes, in fact sometimes gel polish can mask nail abnormalities better than regular polish.

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