I Get Gel Manicures Every Other Month So I Asked An Expert If They Pose Any Risks — Here’s What They Said
Hello world! My name is Celina and I LOVE getting gel manicures.
I appreciate how long-lasting and beautiful they look each time I get them done.
To give more context, I usually get a gel manicure once every other month in New York, and I pay between $45 and $55 depending on location.
After the two weeks are up, I am always surprised with how long and strong my natural nails appear to be.
Truly feels like a win win.
While I would love to get them more often I've always been curious as to how safe they actually are.
To be specific, my main concern has always been the UV light that helps set the nails and polish for longevity. I also wondered if it was possible to get them done too often, and if there were any other general dos and donts I needed to keep in mind along the way.
To figure all of this out, I spoke to dermatologist Dr. Heather Stevie Summe at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
I asked a few questions, starting off with: Are gel manicures considered safe? If so, are they safe every time we get them done — and is it possible to get them too often?
Dr. Summe was quick to point out the present risks when getting any sort of manicure done, "Manicures in general can damage nails," she told BuzzFeed.
She pointed to certain grooming practices (more on this below) and "exposure to irritating chemicals and solvents" as two elements of risk.
Dr. Summe also emphasized potential downsides of the acetone that's involved in the removal process. "Gel manicures are removed with acetone which can damage the nail and surrounding skin," she explained.
"This can cause thin, brittle nails that split easily and have white spots," Dr. Summe said. It can also cause problems for people with eczema or other skin-related allergies.
She pointed that gel manicures also contain methylacrylates, which can cause an itchy rash in people who have an allergy to it. Dr. Summe also advised that anyone with eczema on their hands should proceed with caution as the acetone can be very irritating if it drips onto the skin.
One of Dr. Summe's other concerns is the use of UV light. Exposure to UV light can lead to premature aging of the skin and skin cancer, she said.
"While the risk is probably negligible, it isn’t a bad idea to apply SPF 30 or above before the exposure — or invest in some fingerless UPF gloves," said Dr. Summe.
These gloves are $9.99 on Amazon.
Personally, I was also curious to hear Dr. Summe's take on whether getting a gel manicure at a salon vs. someone doing an at-home gel manicure on themselves made a difference in terms of safety, end results, or both.
Dr. Summe preferred the professional route. "A study showed that gel manicures applied at home were more likely to result in nail changes like thinning and splitting," she told BuzzFeed. "And white spots after [at-home] removal suggest that [professional] application technique and training may matter."
When it comes to getting professional gel manicures, quality and safety can vary depending on the provider — just like any other service. But Dr. Summe had some great tips on what to watch out for.
"Make sure your salon is using sterile equipment, so you don’t put yourself at risk of infection," she said.
"Also, do not let your technician push your cuticles back or trim them," Dr. Summe said. "Cuticles protect against infection."
"Do not let your technician clean underneath the nail using sharp instruments. The seal between your nail and finger is also protecting against infection," she explained.
And after a manicure, pay attention to how your skin reacts. "Any sensation of burning, stinging, or itching on the skin could indicate some sort of irritation or allergy," Dr. Summe said.
Dr. Summe also advised limiting polish wear to 1 or 2 weeks max, and taking breaks in between applications. "Any more [than the 1-2 weeks] and you may get white marks on the nails called keratin granulations," she said.
And when it comes to how often a person should get a gel manicure? In Dr. Summe's opinion, gel manicures might be best for special occasions only.
"There's no right or wrong answer here," she said. "But in general you should let nails breathe a bit between manicures. I'd recommend at least a month in between."
So there you have it! While there are risks with most things concerning manipulating our nails, there are ways to take further precautions and make sure we are doing our best to keep our nails clean, safe, and protected.
Now with that said, I will be making my next manicure appointment with much more consideration from here on out.
Giphy / Via giphy.com
