Understanding UV & Gel Manicures

What happens to your hands under a gel nail lamp?

  • LED ≠ UV-FREE

    • “LED” describes the technology used to produce the light; it doesn’t mean the lamp is UV-free.
    • Gel nail lamps use wavelengths within the UVA spectrum to cure gel polish, exposing the surrounding skin during curing.

  • Why UVA Matters

    • UVA penetrates deeper into the skin than UVB and contributes to premature skin aging and cellular damage.
    • Unlike a sunburn, UVA exposure may not cause an immediate visible reaction.

  • Exposure adds up

    • A single curing session is brief, but regular gel manicures mean repeated UVA exposure to the same area of your hands.
    • Reducing unnecessary UV exposure can help protect your skin over time.
View our glove's Lab testing ⇀

UV DEMONSTRATION

See UV exposure in real time

This UV-sensitive test card changes color when exposed to ultraviolet light. Watch how the indicator responds during a single 30-second curing cycle under a gel nail lamp.

And that's only one cure. A complete gel manicure can involve multiple curing cycles for base coat, color layers, top coat, extensions, builder gel, nail art, and other steps.

Explore the research behind UV nail lamps, repeated exposure, and simple ways to help protect your hands.

Understanding the Research

What does research say about gel nail lamps?

Gel nail lamps use ultraviolet radiation, primarily in the UVA range, to cure and harden gel polish. This applies to lamps commonly marketed as UV/LED lamps as well. “LED” describes the light source and does not necessarily mean UV-free.¹

Laboratory research has shown that radiation from UV nail dryers can produce oxidative stress, DNA damage, and mutations in mammalian cells. A 2023 laboratory study found increased oxidative stress and DNA damage following experimental exposure to radiation from a UV nail polish dryer.¹

However, laboratory findings do not mean that gel manicures have been proven to cause skin cancer in people. A 2024 systematic review found that there is limited consensus in the scientific literature regarding the risk of skin malignancy associated with UV nail lamps. The review included only nine studies, including case reports and experimental studies, and the authors identified limitations in the available evidence.²

The takeaway: The goal isn't to be afraid of gel manicures! It's to be informed about UV exposure and take simple precautions when you can.

Sources

1. Zhivagui M, et al. (2023). DNA damage and somatic mutations in mammalian cells after irradiation with a nail polish dryer. Nature Communications. View the study

2. Metko D, et al. (2024). A systematic review of the risk of cutaneous malignancy associated with ultraviolet nail lamps: what is the price of beauty? European Journal of Dermatology.      View the study

How much UV exposure comes from a gel manicure?

A gel manicure isn't just one trip under the lamp. A basic manicure may require separate curing after the base coat, individual layers of gel color, and top coat, resulting in multiple UVA exposures during a single appointment.

More elaborate manicures can involve even more curing cycles. Gel extensions, builder gel, layered nail art, gems and charms, and other gel-applied decorations may require additional full or flash cures as different steps are completed. A nail technician may also flash cure individual nails or design elements briefly before completing a full cure.

Because techniques, products, lamps, and designs vary, there is no single curing schedule that applies to every manicure. Published research notes that the large variety of products and techniques makes it difficult to identify one standard lamp-use scheme and describes typical total lamp exposure during a manicure as approximately 3–6 minutes.¹

The exact UV exposure also varies between devices. In one study of eight commercially available nail-curing devices, all eight emitted UVA, with measured UVA intensity ranging from 39.0 to 184.9 W/m².² This means UV exposure can differ depending on the lamp being used as well as the amount of time spent curing.

The takeaway: A manicure can involve repeated UVA exposures, not just one. The more curing and flash-curing steps involved, the more opportunities there are for the surrounding skin to be exposed.

Sources

1. Słabicka-Jakubczyk A, et al. (2023). Influence of UV nail lamps radiation on human keratinocytes viability. Scientific Reports. View the study

2. Ford H, et al. (2021). Quantifying the ultraviolet radiation emitted by nail curing devices: A descriptive study. Australasian Journal of Dermatology. View the study

How can I reduce UV exposure during gel manicures?

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends applying a broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30 or higher sunscreen to the hands before a gel manicure. Another option recommended by the AAD is wearing dark, opaque gloves with the fingertips exposed, allowing the nails to remain accessible for curing while covering the surrounding skin.¹

While sunscreen is an option, it may not always be the most convenient during a manicure. Sunscreen can leave product or oily residue around the hands and nails, while proper gel application generally requires the nail plate to be clean, dry, and free of excess oils or residue for optimal adhesion. Sunscreen on the nail plate may therefore need to be thoroughly removed during nail preparation before gel is applied.

The takeaway: UV-protective gloves offer a simple, mess-free way to add coverage during gel manicures. With the nails left exposed, there’s no need to worry about keeping sunscreen or oily residue off the nail plate before gel application.

Sources

1. American Academy of Dermatology. Gel manicures: Tips for healthy nails. View the AAD recommendations