Can getting gel nails lead to skin cancer?

Every now and then I like to treat myself to gel manicures since they last longer, but a friend told me the ultraviolet lamps used at the nail salon can cause skin cancer. Is that true?

There is no need to worry about this. Nail salon lamps use UVA light, which is less likely to cause skin cancer than the UVB and UVC rays you get from direct sunlight and tanning beds. Plus, the UV exposure from these lamps is very low. In fact, researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found you’d need approximately 13,000 nail treatments—that’s one every week for 250 years—to make a significant change in your risk of developing skin cancer.

That said, it’s still smart to take steps to protect your hands when you get gel manicures, as exposure to the UVA light can cause skin aging. A good practice is to apply an SPF lotion to your hands before your manicure or ask your nail technician to apply one during your manicure, since most salons keep these lotions handy.