Cancer risk in permanent nail polishes

Compared to traditional nail polish, permanent nail polishes are very popular among women due to their ease of use and long-lasting effect.

In this context, an international scientific team has conducted a comprehensive scientific study evaluating the effects of UV/LED nail dryers, commonly used in beauty salons, on human health. According to the study, published this year in the International Journal of Dermatology, long-term exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted by these devices can lead to DNA damage, a potential risk of skin malignancies, and oxidative stress in experimental studies.

Prof. Dr. Uğur Coşkun, in a statement to an İHA reporter on the subject, stated that attention has been drawn to the substance TPO (trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide) in permanent nail polishes, which have recently been banned in Europe. He said, "TPO, found in permanent nail polish, when activated by UV light, dries the gel polish quickly, ensuring it remains shiny for a long time. There are also other studies showing that the UV rays used to harden gel nail polish can cause mutations in human cells, increase the risk of skin cancer, and damage DNA."

Making warnings about reducing the risk of cancer, Prof. Dr. Coşkun said:

UV/LED lamps emit UVA radiation. UVA is one type of sun rays and can cause DNA damage with prolonged exposure. Exposure can be reduced by applying sunscreen before such procedures. Gel nail treatments performed only on special occasions and treatments performed consistently every 2-3 weeks have different risk profiles. The risk of cancer may increase with more frequent applications. When choosing nail polish, choose TPO-free nail polishes. It is wise to use gloves with UV filters and use UV devices for shorter periods. Furthermore, attention should be paid to the quality of the devices and the duration of use in beauty salons. Consequently, even if the studies have been conducted on animals, the frequency of such treatments should be reduced and the above precautions should be carefully considered. Furthermore, it is important to clearly determine the extent of the risk with longer-term, human-based studies.