Beneath the Polish: Are Manicures Dangerous?
In recent years, going to the nail salon to get your nails done has become an integral part of many individuals’ self-care regimens. While this hobby is enjoyable and seemingly harmless due to its superficial nature, the technology involved with the process has raised concerns about an increased risk in skin cancer. A recent in-vitro study demonstrated that radiation emitted by ultraviolet nail polish dryers can damage DNA and lead to mutations in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), human foreskin fibroblasts (HEFs), and human epidermal keratinocytes (HEKa). Fibroblasts are a common cell type in connective tissue, and their main function is to maintain structural support to tissues and organs by secreting collagen proteins. Keratinocytes are cells in the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of the skin.
Ultraviolet (UV) light is a type of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength between ten nanometers and four hundred nanometers. The UV spectrum can be further classified based on its effects on human skin and its tendency to cause damage to DNA. UVA is a type of UV light, and most of the UVA environmental toxicity has been caused by commercial products, including UV nail polish dryers. UV-nail lamps are used to dry nail polish formulas known as gels. In this study, MEFs, HEFs, and HEKa were irradiated one, two, or three times with a duration lasting between 0 and 20 minutes. Researchers repeated each condition for at least three trials, and they measured cell viability forty-eight hours after the final irradiation. Control cells were also used to measure DNA damage.
Ultraviolet (UV) light is a type of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength between ten nanometers and four hundred nanometers. The UV spectrum can be further classified based on its effects on human skin and its tendency to cause damage to DNA. UVA is a type of UV light, and most of the UVA environmental toxicity has been caused by commercial products, including UV nail polish dryers. UV-nail lamps are used to dry nail polish formulas known as gels. In this study, MEFs, HEFs, and HEKa were irradiated one, two, or three times with a duration lasting between 0 and 20 minutes. Researchers repeated each condition for at least three trials, and they measured cell viability forty-eight hours after the final irradiation. Control cells were also used to measure DNA damage.
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Several notable findings were concluded from this study. Firstly, there were statistically significant increases of 8-oxo-dG concentrations, a measure of oxidative damage, in irradiated cells when compared to the control cells for all cell line models. In other words, the cells showed damage when treated with UV light similar to what would they could be exposed to at a nail salon. Oxidative damage is harmful because it means cellular tissue is being broken down. The elevated 8-oxo-dG concentrations were maintained even twenty-four hours after irradiation, suggesting that irradiation by UV nail polish dryers causes long-lasting cellular damage. Additionally, researchers found additional signs of cellular degradation. In all three cell lines, irradiation led to decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, which corresponds with high oxidative damage. Also, researchers found more somatic mutations in irradiated MEF and HEF cells. More specifically, there were significant increases in cytosine to adenine mutations in irradiated MEF and HEF cells. Although further studies are needed regarding DNA damage from UV nail lamps, these findings of cellular damage and mutations in the DNA suggest that this type of nail treatment can lead to harmful effects on the body.
The significance of this study is that DNA damage was observed in all irradiated cell lines. Because this study utilized an in vitro design, the results will not perfectly reflect mutagenesis in humans. However, the experimental model closely mimicked human carcinogenesis and strongly suggests that radiation emitted from UV nail polish dryers may increase the risk of skin cancer. This study should serve as a warning to individuals who receive frequent gel manicures and urge them to reconsider nail treatment out of caution for their future health.
The significance of this study is that DNA damage was observed in all irradiated cell lines. Because this study utilized an in vitro design, the results will not perfectly reflect mutagenesis in humans. However, the experimental model closely mimicked human carcinogenesis and strongly suggests that radiation emitted from UV nail polish dryers may increase the risk of skin cancer. This study should serve as a warning to individuals who receive frequent gel manicures and urge them to reconsider nail treatment out of caution for their future health.
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