Do gel nails give you cancer?

No, they don't. The UV exposure from the nail lamp is incredibly low and lasts for less than five minutes per session. If people are fine walking out in the heavy sun, this tiny lamp is not going to do anything. Just wear SPF if you're paranoid.

I read an article about UV dryer lamps causing DNA damage and now I am genuinely scared to go to my regular nail salon. Does anyone else get anxious seeing that purple light shine on their skin? I feel like we should all be more careful.

I totally panicked when my wife started getting gel extensions and I read some scary blogs online. But after speaking to our dermatologist friend, I realized the risk is practically negligible. No need to worry, it is completely normal to get them done.

I have never gotten gel nails done before because of these cancer rumors, and I am thoda scared to try. Can we use normal air-dry nail polish instead if we want to avoid the UV machine completely? Please let me know.

The UV rays from the curing lamps are the main point of discussion here, but the actual risk is very minimal for occasional users. I always suggest my nieces to give their nails a break of one or two months in between to maintain their natural nail strength anyway.

Why take any risk or worry so much when there is a simple solution? Just apply your normal sunscreen on your hands 15 minutes before getting the gel nails, or buy a cheap pair of fingerless gloves online. It takes two minutes and gives you complete peace of mind.