Just about every time we blink, there’s a new story pointing the finger at yet another thing we know and love, saying that it causes cancer. Boo.
The latest culprit of the cancer scare is none other than the beloved gel manicure. We knew flawless nails that lasted for weeks were too good to be true, and in retrospect, maybe those UV lights weren’t the most comforting.
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While the risk for catching the big C isn’t going to sneak up on you after one gel mani, the danger is present.
While the net was going crazy and women were canceling their manicure appointments, the Skin Cancer Foundation officially released a statement on the popular nail salon procedure, pretty much telling the world to chill the heck out.
Elizabeth Hale, MD, the foundation’s vice president said:
Research has shown that ultraviolet (UV) radiation-emitting devices are carcinogenic to humans. Although studies have shown that the skin cancer risk associated with UVR-emitting nail lamps for gel manicures is very low, it is not insignificant. The risk, according to anecdotal research, is greatest for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the second most common skin cancer. An estimated 700,000 cases of SCC are diagnosed each year in the US, resulting in approximately 2,500 deaths. SCC is mainly caused by chronic UV exposure and is very common on the hands and around the fingernails.
There ya have it. Now worry about cutting back on the tanning beds.
SOURCE: Fashionista
