Are UV Nail Dryers Dangerous [DermTV.com Epi #219]

[lpcookie1]

Ya I've often wondered about that. I've never had my nails done before but was about to order Gelish Nail kit and uv lamp so I could do my nails at home, but you reminded me it's not worth the risk. There are other ways to get beautiful nails these days. A friend of mine gets her nails done every 2-3 wks, and she's already experienced surgery to remove a small mass. I'll pass this on.

[ajawosika1]

DID ANYONE PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT HE SAID IF YOU WANT TO GET GEL NAILS WEAR CHEMICAL FREE SUNSCREEN !!!!!

[gioanamc]

I wonder. Before there was no creams with spf and those people lived up to 100. Now we have all this information, technology, medicine, vitamins, and our life span has reduced almost 25%. Of course science is always finding new things that will kill us. 1 million ways to die.

[kiwisocks]

@gioanamc Where in the world did you get those numbers? Infant/child death has been reduced by a ridiculous amount (~50%, depending on the source/time period, to ~99% survival rate), and the average lifespan of those who reach adulthood has increased by about 5 years since the 1800s

[lilyflowertulip]

I'm so glad I saw this! I've always been so careful about staying out of the sun since I'm fair and my family has a history of skin cancer, but I never thought about uv nail dryers!!! I was seriously considering uv gel nails, but not anymore. thank you!

[1chelseadawn]

um shouldnt my finger tips come out tan if im using the uv for my nails, isnt it the same uv as tanning beds ??

[iamnotyetforsaken]

i just bought a uv nail dryer! but it wouldnt damage my nails if i dont use it regularly right??

[catnipnbone]

Please listen to what this dermatologist is saying! I've had one basal cell cancer and two melanomas. Skin cancer can kill you and it also leaves nasty scars and is aging to the skin. I don't want anyone else to go through what I have and I hope that others will listen and avoid tanning salons and UV nail dryers. My own dermatologist agrees with this doctor.

[pandah1869]

UV Gel nails are not no odor. They are low odor. They do still have an odor to them although it is very much so less than acrylic nails.

[berrybell89]

OMG really?! 

[crimsonbutterflies]

Thank you for the invaluable information, Doctor.

I have had acrylic nails done twice in the past 3 months and I was wondering if the nail itself, rather than the skin of the fingers, can be susceptible to damage from the UV nail dryers. I cannot believe you made a video about nail dryers; I was just telling my mother yesterday that she should not get too excited about having them done every month. Thank you so much; we learn so much from you and we are grateful for your input. God bless you.

[Powerpuffgirl08]

OMG!!!!

[BBROTANGO]

Wow, thanks for letting us know. I have a couple of lady friends who would benefit from this.

[Cyndiii]

Oh my God!!! Why did I never think about this?! Thank you Dr. Schultz!!!

[gollyster]

This information is troubling, but informative for me. I work in a salon where I apply gel nails. I don't want to participate in an industry that enables people to do bodily harm to themselves. The other day I was doing some research and discovered that all of the products I use in the salon (hair color, bleach, nail polish, makeup, even soaps and shampoos) have dangerous chemicals including lead, formaldehyde, irritating sulfates, and carcinogens. This has made me seriously consider quitting

[raspberrypineapple]

@gollyster It's sad, but true. We are surrounded by carcinogens, and salons are riddled with them.

[sparkledlady]

I learn from you alot. Thank you.

[blackgardenia24]

WOW! Great Information....

[HanaBerlin]

Great video!!!

[CalicoCatMissPeachs]

I recently had a refraxel lazer around my eyes. I am fair and ended up with dark hyperpigmentation around my eyes like a raccoon. I wish I would have known this could be a potential side effect of a refraxel lazer. Others might want to know this. The plastic surgeon said he will work with me and make it go away but a month has passed and so far I still have it and it is not changing. I would not do refraxel again I would do the Cutera probably. Please comment.  I have anxiety.

[mineralmu4me]

@CalicoCatMissPeachs Did they use a UV nail dryer on your face during the procedure? I am confused how the nail dryer and refraxel laser are the same? ...Never heard that before.

[raspberrypineapple]

@mineralmu4me Hello CalicoCatMissPeachs. I have heard of this happening, though it is rare. I understand your anxiety. Even the most highly touted of laser procedures carry more risks than people realize. You could greatly benefit from a second opinion.

[lollsazz]

I heard this about 2 years ago - good it appeared here too :)

[Nailtigerliz]

Someone asked why nail techs don't tell their clients about the risk. Nail techs don't know about the risk. I am a licensed nail tech, and I use a UV nail lamp all the time on my clients. This is the first time I have heard definitively that they are dangerous. Upsetting news. I apply a gel top coat on all my acrylic clients because it offers a glass-type finish. This is a game changer, for sure. Thanks Dr. Schultz!

[angeewells]

wow

[YaoMingLily]

As well as skin cancer, can UV lights promote other cancers?

[Victorian9322]

I do my nails myself at home so I don't need to worry. Thank God! :D :D

[RiceARonia]

So chem-free sunblock works better than the chemical one? I know you mentioned that you needed less of the chem-free sunblock as well. I'm just confused on which to use. Thanks though for another informative video!

[raspberrypineapple]

@RiceARonia There is a video on this. A couple in fact. Check the archives for your answers.

[OS253]

@RiceARonia: Why would you want to put chemicals on your body? Chemicals causes cancer. You should use an all natural product. It's safe for you and the environment. So yes, use the chem-free sunblock. It's cruelty-free and it's not tested on animals.

[LovePeaceandLipGloss]

Thank you sexy! ...do you mind if I call you sexy?

Very informative like always~

xxG

[ginabinawina99]

@LovePeaceandLipGloss ROFLMAO!!!!!

[crimsonbutterflies]

@LovePeaceandLipGloss Lol, I cannot believe you just said that! lol

[LovePeaceandLipGloss]

@crimsonbutterflies Haha...I couldn't help myself. ; )xxG

[Voyeur53]

Another informative video. Luckily, I've never used a UV nail dryer.....but harm from one is not something I've ever considered. Thanks again!

[flushed1977]

Very interesting! Thanks for the info Doc.

[GettingNailed]

Thanks for the info. I'm already on my daughter's back about the UV tanning. Ugh!

[bobobobobob93]

you happen to get the same exact backround in every video haha. do you keep your camera there?

[beccastetler]

This is great information, thanks Dr. Shultz!!

[organized4ann]

I won't quibble regarding naildryers, but you need to start recommending sun.. You see, man was meant to be out in the sun, and the right amount of sun at the right time of the day gives vitamin D, which is critical to our health. For those who can't go out in the sun, there are supplements. But even these supplements will help your skin when you ARE in the sun. Look into it. Go to vitamindcouncil and grassrootshealth (google the terms) for more info.

[raspberrypineapple]

@organized4ann People should have their Vitamin D levels checked. If they are low, supplements are the way to go...not baking in the sun.

My levels went from 17 to 73 just a few weeks after starting supplementation.

[dermTVdotcom]

@organized4ann I couldn't agree with you more. I have NEVER told a patient or friend

not to go out in the sun but instead tell them how to protect

themselves in the sun. And even with wearing effective sunscreen,

somehow some of the sun gets past it and that's OK because life isn't

perfect. If despite that amount of sun exposure one's Vitamin D level

is low, then I recommend being outdoors 10 to 15 minutes once or twice

a day without sunscreen very early in the morning or very late in the...

[dermTVdotcom]

@organized4ann ... in the

afternoon which is in complete agreement with your comment "the right amount of sun at the right time of the day gives vitamin D, which is critical to our health". I believe we are saying the same thing and thank you for your input.

The UV nail dryers are effectively tanning beds for fingers so where ever you come out on tanning beds will probably be where you also come out on them. Since I know many of my patients won't give up UV nail dryers, a reasonable...

[dermTVdotcom]

@dermTVdotcom ... compromise is applying chem free sunscreen

(which works instantly) to the hands just before putting them in the

dryers.

I have visited the Vitamin D Council site many times and fear it may not be impartial...check out the people who are quoted....what was your impression?

Thanks for watching!

[organized4ann]

@dermTVdotcom Many places, early in the morning and late in the afternoon will be times when there is absolutely no vitamin D to be had, so I can't agree on that, unless all the people you so advise are in locales where their shadows are shorter than them at those times of the day.

[catnipnbone]

@organized4ann You can get your dosage of Vitamin D by going into natural sunlight for 12-15 minutes. I've been treated for one basal cell cancer and two melanomas and have ugly scars to prove it. If you have fair skin like I do, you're at even higher risk. Please get regular "skin checks" from your dermatologist and avoid tanning salons and UV nail lamps.

[Caphale1]

I thought it was kinda obvious that UV nail dryers were dangerous. It does have the word "UV" in it.

[raspberrypineapple]

@Caphale1 Clarification never hurts. Apparently, many people had no idea about the dangers.

[Caphale1]

@raspberrypineapple 

[rrp147]

wow, I was actually thinking about this issue lately because I noticed that my nail polish color would always turn out a tone darker whenever I used the UV nail dryers at the salon. When I did my nails at home, my nail polish would always dry at a much lighter color! Scary, but makes all sense. Thanks for this very insightful video Dr. Schultz!

[TheJnervous]

I'm really glad to see this video. I used to get my nails done all the time, and honestly, I never thought twice about sticking my hands in that thing.

Nail salons can be so shady, I didn't even think it was real UV light, or doing anything to my nails at all..

If I ever get my nails done again, I will be coating my hands in sunscreen!!

[xMizzDollFacex]

i always knew those things where evil lol

[12quillemall5321]

Why don't the nail tech tell you about this risk?

[raspberrypineapple]

@12quillemall5321 They either don't know or don't care. Those are really your only two possible options.

[Mastermind109]

@12quillemall5321 Maybe because if if you knew you might reconsider if you want it done or not. They want money thats all they want not people who complain saying it's dangerious.

[raspberrypineapple]

Love this video, Dr. Schultz!!!

I hope the message contained within this video is enough to make people think twice before sticking their fingers under one of these devices.

What ever happened to good 'ol air drying?