The Truth About Gel Nails

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Love the staying power of a gel manicure, but worry that the process is bad for your health? Here are the facts.

Do gel manicures cause skin cancer?

No. While too much UV exposure can increase your risk for skin cancer, the risk from the UV and LED lamps used to set the polish is small compared to tanning booths.

The bigger issue? Those UV rays speed up the aging process. Protect your hands and prevent wrinkles and brown spots by putting on sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher 20 minutes before your mani.

Will gel manicures ruin my nails? Nope. Gel manicures don't have to wreak havoc on your hands. Just take some smart precautions. Only soak your fingertips in acetone, not your whole hand. Moisturize your nails and cuticles several times a day. And take a one to two week break between manis to give nails times to repair.