I've not finished the video, but I'm just commenting because I'm glad to finally see something about this! It's something I've thought about for a really long time, especially as someone who likes painting her nails (though just with regular polish - gel scares me for so many reasons). The very few times I've seen it addressed were like blog posts, usually from beauty companies, just saying "it's fine!" which has never satisfied my little curious cat scientist brain!
@@LabMuffinBeautyScience - great video - another question - how can you protect your nails from the gel nail polish ? My nails looked awful once the polish was removed.
@@Julia-pv9hothats due to the way u remove it. I stopped getting it removed at the salon because they use a nail drill and it removes the top layer of my natural nail! I do it at home now. File off the top layers of gel being careful not to reach natural nail. They soak off with acetone and gently push the product away with wooden nail stick. I put vaseline around my nail beds to prevent drying out with acetone. Hope that helps
19:09 THANK YOU! I'm a licensed nail tech and I hate how many people I hear that say, "Well, if I develop an allergy I'll just use regular polish or get acrylic." It is NOT just gel polish that you would be allergic to! She mentioned dental materials and bone replacements, but also CONTACT LENSES and so many other things. PLEASE BE CAREFUL IF YOU'RE USING GELS!
Nail tech here! THANK YOU for this video. I specifically use LED lamps with 370-405nm wavelengths for curing my gels. I also read the study that came out in 2023 with the fear mongering, and could spot the flaws in the research. I have done a lot of my own research on this topic as well, and I occasionally am asked by my clients about the safety of the lamps, and this video will be helpful in explaining to them it is still safe to get their nails done. And the allergy thing is a huge issue too!! I know that most people do not understand the science behind the nail products they order off the internet and use at home, and this leads to misuse, and allergies. Safety is key!
@infinitemuse the nail hub has spoken with amd seen studies by scientists abd they have a YT channel and store. She teaches all of these things in an easy to understand manner too. I've taken several online classes with Liz and got certification to buy pro products etc. She will only sell "quality" products and stuff that's good to use vs bad . The lamps that have high wattage, are super cheap, tend to be only ones who come close to causing damage. Now if they cure or not...well totally need to take the classes or at least watch her gel fundamentals playlist (free here in RU-vid)
I had first heard about it from James Welsh (or maybe his brother) bc he had experienced some allergic tea when attempting to do his own nails. He did warn against doing so and had mentioned he had to learn A LOT about doing manicures on himself from messing up. It’s lovely to see more out there from a scientific perspective, I’ve been waiting and looking off and on for Lab Muffin’s explanation since then.
This is why I love your channel. No fear mongering, just the facts. I recently decided to invest in an LED lamp - it's more expensive but cures faster than UV lamps. I'll be using gloves and sunscreen to protect my hands, but I appreciate knowing even more about the possible risks behind it now!
@@amean88 That can’t be what she means. How would you apply polish to a gloved hand? And then how would you cure your nails under the lamp if a glove is covering your whole hand?
@@MJ-gm7kmthere are gloves you can buy for doing your nails. They cover your hands but have the tips of the fingers cut off so that you can access your nails to apply tips and polish.
@@nova_kris6366 Thank you for explaining. That sounds like the perfect solution. I’ve just never seen or heard of those before. I’m definitely gonna try to find some.
Thank you for releasing this! My mother was a regular gel nail user-every other week for several years. She recently found out she had a squamous cell carcinoma on her finger. She had it removed and is doing fine. We definitely think the gel UV lamps were a contributing factor to the cancer. She has since switched to regular nail polish. I will be sharing this video with her.
Plus, she could be unlucky and be genetically predisposed to developing cancer. My family is like that. Luckily there are options to minimize her risk if she still wants to get gel manicures ❤
@@eleganceevolved8328yeah goodness every other week is incredibly frequent! When I still paid to have my nails done I’d wait over a month sometimes as long as it was just gel and not acrylics
Red light lowers inflamation and use to lower chemo side effects. There are no studies that indicates it causes or contributes to cancer it helps healing wounds and producing colagen by helping mitochondrial function. Blue light on the other hand can cause inflamation in certain situations like at night it disturbs some functions so it can increase cancer risk but even that is used for cancer treatment.
@@laum5371 Red light doesn't cause skin cancer, it is non-ionizing like infrared light which is often included as an additional wavelength target in masks. Very high intensity red light, like a laser not a mask, can burn you in theory and infrared increases the skin temperature leading to aggravation of rosacea in some people. It is just light, not everything causes cancer.
@@RuthAyresMusic Red light therapy do not cause cancer,it is used for reducing chemotherapy side effects and wound healing. It basically helps mitochondri to function better
So happy you covered this! When I tried to research it myself, I really struggled to find definitive answers, and reading heavy, academic papers is more than a bit out of my skill set. Thank you for this breakdown!
I'd like to second this in that in also struggled to understand the academic studies. Especially as I've never been good at understanding chemistry. I appreciate this video.
Love the beauty science nerd tip. In today's age of information (or misonformation) this is something that everyone should be taught. Many people don't understand that just because it's in a scientific paper doesn't mean it's relevant or valid....at the same time that doesn't mean that everything in a scientific paper is irrelevant. Critical thinking is so important but unfortunately people just want easy black and white answers.
I'm so sad at the state of scientific literacy right now. People just don't understand the basics of research, the scientific method or how publication happens. So they either cherry pick bits of research they likely never read and spread it as gospel or say everything is biased and paid for as an excuse to discredit all experts. The lovely thing about science is you can actually check if the study is designed well, if there is bias, if there is a limitation in scope etc etc. If it is well written and had sound methods and is replicated you can be confident in the findings. People just don't understand how anything works anymore.... science isn't religion, it's literally the process of disproving and questioning and is a self correcting process.
@@hkandm4s23 Well said Edit: just realized I posted the same reply under the original comment. Just wanted to say I am not a bot and really appreciated how you put your reply! 😊
I used to get gel manicures as a treat. But I hated how bad my nails looked after the gel was removed. But I watched your video anyway because there is always something to learn and laugh about. You didn’t disappoint!
In my experience working with gel and what my clients tell me, gel is a good option if the person applying it is delicate to avoid filing your nail too much, and if you don't tear off the gel, but if the plan is to apply the gel and tear it off after 2 weeks then it is double the damage to the nails. For me it has been difficult to learn to be careful in the application so that it lasts longer and to educate my clients so that they know how long it lasts and if it is ideal for them or if they should better use acrylic or their natural nails.
A lot of techs over-prep for gel. There shouldn't be extra filing to the nail unless there are obvious ridges that would disrupt the nail's growth. Many techs cross over acrylic application to gel which fuses the product to the nail. Gel sticks, but should be soaked-off and peel like a kid's nailpolish. If you are scraping it off, it was either applied wrong or it hasn't soaked long enough. Tip: whwn soaking it off, use some olive oil to speed up the soak - olive oil is a great emulsifier and so good for the skin and nails ❤
Oh man this here polygel addict (I NEEEEEEED fingertools -- uhh, I mean "nails that go past the tips of my fingers") thanks you from the bottom of her color-chrome-accented-cat-eye loving heart for confirming my suspicion that as long as I take reasonable precautions (keep uncured gel off my skin, apply sunscreen to hands and fingers or cover as much exposed hand skin as possible) I don't really need to worry too much. Esp considering that my total exposure to naturally-occurring UV is basically zero...
Same!!! I live in northern Scandinavia, and we reach a maximum of UV index 6 in the summer and the rest of year is basically 0-2. I wear SPF50 every day, and I’m mostly inside lol. Very pleased that I can happily continue doing my own nails with all the safety precautions in place 💅
@@waterballoonfighter Heh, I'm in southern Alabama and our UV index is frequently 10/11 in the summer -- and "summer" here is basically the beginning of May through mid October. I just ... don't go outside. :)
I'm so glad you talked about acrylate allergies in this!! The things I've seen about them are so scary and I've been unsure about how much of that is the truth and how much is chemophobia fearmongering and it's good to hear from someone who knows what they're talking about
FYI: before the at-home DIY gel nail kits exploded in popularity, acrylate allergy was considered an occupational hazard for dentist/dental assistants (whose job involves preparing and applying uncured dental fillings), printing industry workers (who routinely handle photosensitive printing inks containing acrylate monomers) and obviously, gel/acrylic manicurists working in nail salons. With the DIY gel nail kit induced allergy case on the rise, British Association of Dermatologists issued a warning regarding the use of gel polish, especially DIY kits, back in 2018. So, no, it isn't chemophobia fearmongering.
I love RU-vid for this... it's making me want to go back to school retake science classes. I managed to fail physics AND chemistry...thank you for the terrific science education, Michelle!
Omg while taking a shower today I was thinking about my nails and how I love love gel nails because of the duration and how I don’t get to worry about them for 2-3 weeks, but of course all the posts about this giving you cancer, and I LITERALLY thought “I wish Michelle would debunk or investigate further into this” and I just found this video 2 min ago 🤯😂. Have not even watched it yet, but this made my day
I started doing my own nails a year ago and I am quite happy with the results. I did ask myself how it would affect my skin on my hands but the time spent under the lamp is almost negligible compared to spending time in the sun in summer. I burn very easily and the lamp has never hurt me. The explanations and video in general is great and I learned something new
and B punches hard, so it doesn't take long for it's damage to be seen. A punches less hard, so it takes a long more years of punches for it's damage to be revealed.
So... unfortunately this isn't quite true 😅 UVB actually contributes as much to aging as UVA, possibly more! At that conference a photobiologist (Antony Young) took me aside to ask me how to debunk it because he's sick of seeing it haha.
I'm so relieved that you spoke about the allergy issue. I'm one of those people who developed an allergy; however, I developed it from nail glue because when I did press-on nails, I wasn't careful about not getting it onto my skin. It's such an obnoxious allergy because I have to bring it up when I have dental work. I've heard that the allergy is picking up because the cheap gel polishes like Beetles are high in HEMA and that sensitizes people. For anyone who is dealing with this, there are lots of places on reddit where people discuss their acrylate/"gel" allergy. Nail polish is getting so so good these days & I can get a weeks wear on a manicure with the right prep & products.
1. Getting that book immediately- cause as a cosmetic chem student this is super helpful 2. I love your shirt and need to know where you got it! 3. FINALLY SOMEONE TALKS ABOUT THE CHEMISTRY OF NAILS (I’ve been dying to learn more about this topic) I work with resin art and make my own press-ons so I use these lamps and I’m glad to know how safe I am putting my stuff under the lamps (not my hands directly with long exposure, thank goodness- but I want to protect myself with even limited exposure)
Thank you so much for this! As a Nail Technician, I always appreciate it when other experts share their knowledge for education 🌸🫶🏼🌸 Please remember, not all nail products are made equal. Know how to read the MSDS, be safe and understand the products you’re using xx
Awesome, this is now my go-to video when people ask me about this subject. I love how you explained this, and you not only explained the "UV will kill me" question but also how gel turns into a hard substance WITH PICTURES and an adorable Halloween shirt. I'm so happy! Another question I get a lot is "what do you do if you are not using a lamp approved for the product" which is the case for a lot of DIY home enthusiasts. That's a whole topic by itself. Thanks so much for this - I'm so glad I discovered you!
Ah, thanks for this video! Been wondering about this myself for quite some time--I do apply a light layer of SPF on my hands before putting them in the UV lamp. Always great to get the nerdy science behind it too. Thanks!
Great video! One of the reasons I kept myself away from manicures is because I was unsure of the dangers of the lamps. This is very informative. Seems low risk so far but I'd rather just choose regular nail polish for everyday use even if it doesn't last as long
Another really fantastic video. The allergy-bit and the potential dental/joint implications was an eye opener for sure. Thank you, Michelle! So happy you got to meet Prof. Whiteman and that he's awesome! Yay!
Thank you for this great video! I was recently looking into how to do my own gel nail extensions at home and ultimately concluded that it was better just to find a nail tech to do it for me. Between dust collection, and being wary of allergies (and knowing how often I get regular nail polish flooding my cuticle despite careful application), I can see why gel nails should be considered "for pros".
THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO! I wonder every time I get gel if I’m harming myself and it’s not worth it. Googling is inconclusive. I have not started watching yet, but I’m so grateful to learn what you’ve got.
I'm one of those people who started doing their own nails at home during lockdown... 😅 I had heard about the risk of allergies but always downplayed it. Will definitely try to be much more careful going forward. I thankfully haven't had any issues so far, but I don't think I can ever go back to regular nail polish, it was the most infuriating thing ever and with gel polish I actually enjoy doing my own nails.
You are SOOO FUNNY! I enjoy your educational videos and your humour even more ! The mini you representing the trigger chain and the “I recently read a book called” (actually she wrote it) just had me rolling. Please don’t change
THANKS SO MUCH for talking about this!! i got really into doing my own nails last year but developed an allergy to gel polish soon after. The allergic reaction actually led to a cuticle infection on both hands and it was an abysmal healing process. 😭 I believe it also led to me developing an allergy to liquid bandage (similar ingredients). I'm glad more people are becoming aware of the risks with at home manicures.
This was so interesting, its made me wonder about the risk of at home laser hair removal machines. I started wearing sunglasses while doing it because the light flashes are uncomfortably bright but there's no real warning in the instructions about it or anything?
Please use laser proof tinted glasses with ANY laser device. These devices are usually fitted so that your eyes only see scattered laser light, but mistakes do happen and an accidental stray beam directly into the eye can cause permanent damage to the eye retina. Specially when used around the face area. Be careful.
As a sufferer of health anxiety, this makes me feel so much better! I also had no idea that our nails naturally block as much UV as they do, super interesting!!
This is exactly what I've been looking for! I use regular nail polish, because I'm a little weirded out by gel precisely because of the curing lamp. I'm so glad you came out with this vid!
Thanks for this! I love gel colours every 3-4 weeks as they last quite long and are resistant to my hobby of electronics modding, and keyboard abuse during work and play. I have always been using sunscreen on my hands (as my nail appointments are mostly during daytime) and I my nail tech is lovely that she allows me to reapply sunscreen and just prep the nails for the coats afterwards. She's very deft that I have minimal uncured product on skin and I think I am okay as I have minimal sun exposure anyway due to working at home (and at night). Will look into those gloves as they can be protective and I like the vibe that I could wear that even if it's not a nail appointment lol. Thanks for the tips and the knowledge!
I Googled it just a couple of days ago! You're stalking me, Michelle! Seriously tho, can we get a video on using sunscreen against hyperpigmentation in winter, when UV index is 0? Should we, could we? I know it's safe from the cancer standpoint but for anti-aging?
Found this channel by accident . Been binge watching your videos. Love everything about them - the science, the explanations, the illustrations, the dorky humor. You inspired me to take more care of my skin . Although I already wear a generic drugstore sunscreen somewhat regularly and avoid long sun exposure all year round, but can always take my skin to the next level - it´s so important to our appearance and self confidence!
I only recently started doing gel nails at home, so I’m really appreciative of this video especially about the allergy section. I wasn’t really aware of how dangerous the non-cured polish could be.
The information about hands' susceptibility to UV damage was good to hear, because while I don't get manicures, I do find that the backs of my hands are less likely to have sunscreen on them when I'm out because of washing and things.
Finally the video I have been waiting for! ❤ I actually started reading your book a couple of days ago hoping to find some useful information about gel nails safety, as I am a nail enthusiast as well
I did gel nails maybe once. They lasted a month on me similar to when I wore acrylics. I didn't like the removal process so after my first try I was done. But I'm not surprised by the skewed studies or by folks developing allergies from improper use.
Your videos always make me feel like I’m gaining brain cells listening to you. I was recently wondering about gel manicures and it’s hard to find good info, so I’m glad you made this!!
I absolutely lost it at “FOR ANTS?!?”, especially because that is a reference I use *constantly* in day to day life 🤣 I really appreciated the little extra pizazz that went into the editing here! Another great video as always.
Thank you. I was looking for such information a while ago, but I didn't find anything. Also I heard about this study, where skin cells were put under the light. It was mentioned in tv news in Poland and it was described like a link between doing your nails and having a skin cancer was already confirmed...
Please, if you could, also discuss Dip Powder for nails. I suffer from "dip flu" and even using a mask and fan, does not help. I trust you and would love to know if there are any risks with dental or any other procedures down the road. Thank you!! Many blessings💖💖💖
I had the dip flu several times and it’s horrible. I stopped dipping. Found out I was doing the process incorrectly. I stick with quality nails products now.
I wear the fingerless gloves and use a q tip to glop on sunscreen to my cuticles. Of course in the process of gel and cleanup it gets removed eventually but i do gel infrequently so my overall risk from that VS being outside or by a window during the day just isn't even worth thinking about. Thank you for such an informative video!
I love your clever sense of humor and the way you make complex concepts simple to understand. You're one of the few people that make me actually like chemistry 😂 Please keep it up! 💖
This vid just comes in time. I started doing my own nails 2 months ago and at first I don’t really know much about allergy, but now I am definitely wearing gloves when doing gel nails
Just had to say how easy you make it to watch your videos. They're informative and well delivered! I find it much easier to retain info from your videos than some other creators
I’ve just discovered your channel! I have a bachelors in engineering and chemistry, and I’ve always been curious about whether gel manicures would cause negative side effects. Thank you for presenting your literature review
People should talk more about this! Honestly thank you for this vid!!! I stopped using gel nail polish because my skin always felt like burning (although I went to different nail technicians, the lamp still made my fingers hurt). It's good to know the science behind this!
My workaround has been wearing nitrile gloves to paint onto nail tips that I stick on with nail glue as press ons. That way I get to be creative but also reduce my exposure to gel nail polish.
Yay! I remember asking about this in a previous video's comments. I've been dying for this video to be made 😍 Love that you included it in your book! 💙😊
I learned a lot from your video! And I feel like it’s very relevant information since so many women use gel polish and UV lights either at home or in a nail salon. I’ve always wondered if nail techs have a higher risk for cancer or lung disease because of all the nail polish fumes they breathe. Lastly, where did you get your spooky cat shirt???
Thank you for discussing the science in an accessible manner! This is a topic I've wanted to know more about, but could only find anecdotal, nonscientific stuff on reddit. Yay!!
I'd say it's getting more detailed and less vague. Remember when doctors thought babies didn't have a fully developed nerve system and would operate on them giving them muscle relaxants only and no anesthesia? Things getting more research and hence more complicated isn't always a bad thing
We need to stop calling it self care and start calling it something that actually describes what’s happening like body maintenance. It feels complicated because these activities aren’t caring for yourself but actually working hard to get the physical body you want, for better or worse
It's always been complicated, we're just more educated now. There's more information and it's more readily available to the general consumer. This stuff was always around but only estheticians and dermatologists knew/cared to know it
Thank you so much! I've started using gel polishes a few months ago and have been wondering about exactly these questions. So helpful to now understand the science behind it and know what to look out for.
When I've done gel nails myself, I've just put sunscreen on my hands, and cleaned it off my nails, before using the lamp, although I did accidentally flash my eyes with the light. I recommend putting sunglasses on
Thank you so so much for making this video. I really appreciate the time you took to break down all this information. Thank you for helping to empower and educate our world 💜
I have a home gel kit which I only use before going on holiday round 4 times a year. Recently I’ve noticed that the UV lamb feels like it’s burning my nails when I put it under the lamp so now I’ve stopped using it altogether. Maybe time for a new LED lamp. Such an informative video, thank you so much.
I had to stop getting gel manicures very recently after doing it for years but it messed up my nails and caused lifting. I think a huge issue is it isn’t regulated or consistent across nail salons so not every place is going to have quality devices or products.
