BEAUTY
If SPF Isn't Part Of Your Nail Care Routine, You're Doing It Wrong
By DINEESHI KALUAARACHCHI
Gel manicures are a revolutionary form of nail care that became popular in the mid-2000s, which uses a gel-based polish that stays on without chipping for much longer than regular nail polish. The catch, however, is that this kind of nail polish has to be hardened under an LED or UV light after being applied to your nails and there are some negative effects.
Long-term exposure to UV rays is known to harm human DNA, resulting in mutations that can speed up aging and cause skin cancer. Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a dermatological researcher, claims "The ultraviolet light emitted from these dryers is actually much stronger than what you would get from sun exposure."
When visiting the nail salon, generously apply sunscreen to your hands so that it can protect them like it would outside in the sunlight. Board-certified dermatologist Shari Marchbein, M.D. advises using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to provide you with some protection from UV rays.