Gel manicure: What it is and what to expect Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe Gel manicure What to knowMedically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — By Mathieu Rees on May 16, 2022We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. Gel manicures use high levels of UV radiation to set a special gel into an individual’s nails. Although there is little evidence that this can cause serious conditions such as skin cancer, some research suggests that pain and nail damage are common side effects of gel manicures. Manicures are cosmetic procedures to alter the appearance of a person’s nails. This article examines what gel manicures are and discusses health and safety considerations. It also summarizes existing research comparing gel manicures and traditional acrylic nails. What is a gel manicure Share on PinterestW_photography/Getty ImagesAs a 2018 article explains, gel manicures use a type of light-sensitive gel. This gel acts as nail polish but has special properties that differentiate it from acrylic nail polishes. In particular, the gel will only properly set upon exposure to certain light sources. For this reason, individuals who want a gel manicure must ask nail technicians to use a special light or use this light themselves. These lights usually use high intensity UV radiation. Duration and costs People can purchase at-home gel manicure kits, including several gels and a special lamp source. The specific details of this procedure, such as the number of sessions needed per month and the time each session takes, vary from product to product. There is no scientific data about the details of at-home gel manicures. However, evidence from 2020 shows that between 2010 and 2011, the average nail salon customer received between 1–4 gel manicures per month, with each manicure lasting between 6–10 minutes. Costs will also vary with gel manicure providers, especially between salons. There is also some variation in the cost of at-home gel manicure kits, ranging from $11.99 to $255.99. Safety concerns The majority of gel manicure light units emit high intensity UVA radiation, and there is some concern about whether these might pose a skin cancer risk. Due to UV radiation, artificial tanning in salons poses a significant risk for skin cancer. However, the same 2020 review did not find a link between regular gel manicures and skin cancer. Moreover, individuals can easily lower their risk of developing skin cancer from these light sources by applying sunscreen before their gel manicure. Read more about sunscreen. Side effects A 2020 study recorded the experiences of 2,118 women who have used gel manicures. The study authors reported the following major results:Applying the manicure: Around 8.3% of the study group reported side effects while applying the polish. Among those individuals, around 50.4% reported either pain or burning sensations.Wearing the manicure: Around 20% of the study group reported side effects while wearing the polish. Out of those, 9.6% reported an itch, and 9.6% reported pain or burning sensations.Post manicure: Around 75% of the study group reported side effects after removing the polish. Among those individuals, 30.3% reported decreased nail toughness, and 24.7% reported splitting nails. Although these findings may be unreliable due to the self-reporting methodology, they suggest some possible concerns with gel manicures. Read more about the safety of gel nail polish. Vs other manicures A 2018 study notes that acrylic nails and gel nails harbor more bacteria than natural nails. Although both types produce the same number of bacteria, it may be harder for people to properly clean gel nails than acrylic nails. However, due to the study’s small sample size, more research is needed on the connection between different manicures and hygiene. A 2016 study reports that it might be harder to remove gel than acrylic, making gel nail removal more likely to cause damage to the nails. The study associates the removal process with:nail thinning and weaknessbrittlenesswhite spots on nails known as pseudoleukonychianail splitting At-home gel manicure There is currently no scientific evidence to distinguish the health effects of at-home gel manicures from salon gel manicures. While salon gel manicure providers may operate with stricter health standards than people who apply gel manicures at home, the research has yet to determine whether this is the case. Summary Gel manicures are a popular form of cosmetic nail treatment. They use a special light-sensitive gel to achieve their effects. Although the process does expose people to some UV radiation, there is no evidence that this increases the risk of skin cancer. However, gel manicures may have other side effects, such as pain or a burning sensation during the application. The removal process may also result in people having damaged nails. Last medically reviewed on May 16, 2022Dermatology 6 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Hewlett, A. L., et al. (2018). Evaluation of the bacterial burden of gel nails, standard nail polish, and natural nails on the hands of healthcare workers.https://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(18)30674-6/fulltextIndoor tanning: The risks of ultraviolet rays. (2015).https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/indoor-tanning-risks-ultraviolet-raysPutek, J., et al. (2020). Side-effects associated with gel nail polish: A self-questionnaire study of 2,118 respondents.https://www.medicaljournals.se/acta/content/html/10.2340/00015555-3684Rieder, E. A., et al. (2016). Cosmetically induced disorders of the nail with update on contemporary nail manicures.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4898583Schwartz, C. T., et al. (2020). Ultraviolet light gel manicures: Is there a risk of skin cancer on the hands and nails of young adults?https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7492020Wang, J. V., et al. (2018). Gel manicures and ultraviolet A light: A call for patient education.https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5hx4g5v4FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — By Mathieu Rees on May 16, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat to know about gel polish safetyMedically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP Gel nails are popular for their durability and appearance, but over time, they can damage the nails. Learn more.READ MORENail strengthening tipsMedically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP People can strengthen their nails by practicing proper nutrition, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding certain nail products. Learn more here.READ MOREWhat to know about brittle nailsMedically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., MSN Brittle nails are a common problem. They can occur due to environmental factors or underlying conditions. Learn more about their causes and treatments…READ MOREHow to stop biting the nailsMedically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT What tips, strategies, and treatments can help a person stop biting their nails? Read on to learn more about onychophagia and how to stop it.READ MORERadiofrequency skin tightening: What is it and is it effective?Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP Radiofrequency skin tightening is a cosmetic procedure. Individuals can use at-home devices or visit a healthcare professional. Read on for more.READ MORE