With sales of nail polish nearing $800 million a year in the United States, there's a sea of decorated digits out there. But spending your cash on polish that chips or flakes in a couple of days can be a waste of time and money. Now, women have the option of gel polishes that offer 2 to 4 weeks of staying power.
"Gel polishes last longer and resist chipping," says cosmetic chemist Ni'kita Wilson, CEO and co-owner of Catalyst Cosmetic Development in Union, N.J. A long chain of molecules in the gel polishes gives them strength by forming a durable yet flexible coat upon hardening. The polish sets with exposure to ultraviolet light.
The downside with gel manicures stems from the crucial UV-curing step. A recent study found that the cumulative damage from the light frequencies the nail lamps emit can cause DNA damage to the skin that can result in premature aging and possibly cancer.
"To be honest, there's not a simple answer about the danger of the UV rays in gel nail lamps," says Chris Adigun, MD. She's a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine.