The Zoomer Report: Nail Dryers

It’s a small luxury that thousands of women indulge in. Now there’s a warning that manicures can be harmful because the UV dryers used can increase the risk of skin cancer.

Doctors are raising concerns about UV dryers used to cure or dry gel nails, shellacs or lacquers.

They say that like any form of artificial radiation, those nail lights expose us to a known carcinogen.

There are published case reports of young women with no family history of skin and little evidence of sun damage who developed skin cancers on their fingers around their nails after regularly using UV nail dryers.

Lab investigations and clinical studies have also found UV can cause skin cancer.

The companies that make the devices say the dryers emit less radiation than a day spent under office lights, and some dryers emit more UV than others. Still some dermatologists recommend that we just say no to UV nail dryers.

Photo ©iStockphoto.com/ Tomaz Levstek

READ MORE ZOOMER REPORTS
The Zoomer Report: Best Diet
The Zoomer Report: Women More Generous
The Zoomer Report: Wandering Mind

Libby ZnaimerAbout The Zoomer Report

Libby Znaimer, a prominent Canadian journalist specializing in business, politics, and lifestyle issues, is producer and host of The Zoomer Report, a special feature on topics of interest to baby boomers and the 50+. It covers everything from health and wealth to leisure and volunteerism, from the special vantage point of the generation that has changed society in its wake.

Ms. Znaimer is also Vice-President of News and Information for Classical 96.3FM and AM740. Her first book, “In Cancerland – Living Well Is The Best Revenge” – was published in October 2007 by Key Porter.

Are you a Zoomer? Click here to find out.

Classical 96.3FM logo