UV nail dryers may pose risk

Halifax, Nova Scotia - According to a researcher here, ultraviolet dryers used in fingernail manicuring can increase the risk of skin cancer, CBC News reports.

Richard Langley, M.D., director of research at Dalhousie University’s dermatology division in Halifax, says there is reason to be concerned about the UV dryers used to dry gel nails and nail lacquers or shellacs.

CBC News quotes Dr. Langley as saying, “The major concerns we have about UV nail lights or any form of artificial radiation is that you are exposing yourself, often for cosmetic reasons, to a known carcinogen.”

Dr. Langley references published case reports of young women with no family history of skin cancer and little evidence of sun damage who developed skin cancers in the nail areas of their fingers after regularly using UV nail dryers.

According to CBC News, companies that make the nail-drying devices say users get less radiation from them the devices than they would in a day working under office lights.