Woman Alleges UV Lamps Used During Gel Manicures Gave Her Hands Hyperpigmentation
People have had mixed reactions to her viral video.
A woman has recently taken to TikTok to share about how the skin on her hands has turned darker, alleging that it was caused by the UV lamps used during her gel manicure sessions
Image via @jess_whitneyx (TikTok)
Jess Bergman, who is a British model based in Singapore, explained in a viral video that her hands, from her knuckles to her fingertips, are a completely different shade to the rest of her body, likely due to UV lamps.
For context, UV lamps are often used at nail salons to set gel nail polish to dry faster when it is applied. Some parlours also use LED lamps as an alternative.
Bergman added that she goes for gel manicures every two weeks, which is pretty often in her eyes, and she doesn't use any bleaching or whitening products
"I didn't realise that you had to wear sunscreen before you use these machines," she said in the video, which she shared to warn others about the skin damage these UV lamps could cause.
Image via @jess_whitneyx (TikTok)
After her video went viral, many people responded with mixed views
While some thanked her for sharing the information, others said that it is unlikely that the issue was caused by UV lamps, as nail salons should be using LED lamps by now, claiming that those do not cause the skin to darken.
Image via TikTok
Image via TikTok
Image via TikTok
Image via TikTok
Image via TikTok
Speaking to SAYS, Bergman said that she saw a dermatologist about the issue and discovered that the darkening of her hands is due to hyperpigmentation, which is more common with darker skin tones
According to the National Institutes of Health, "Acute exposure to UV radiation induces an immediate pigment-darkening reaction... followed by delayed tanning".
Bergman was informed by the dermatologist that the hyperpigmentation will fade away eventually. However, she will need to be extra careful in future by using high SPF sun protection.
The model added that she's taking things further by wearing anti-UV fingerless gloves during future gel manicure appointments. She included a link in her bio on where people can purchase the gloves if they want.
Image via @jess_whitneyx (TikTok)
So, do UV or LED lamps cause skin damage?
New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Dr Kavita Mariwalla shared with InStyle that a weekly or bi-monthly gel manicure won't likely cause skin cancer.
However, if you do it regularly enough for years on end, you might notice freckles on your hands. She added that in saying that though, it's not the same as going into a tanning bed.
Dr Stacy Chimento, a board-certified Miami-based dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology, suggests applying SPF 30 sunscreen at least 20 minutes prior to your nail appointment, while Dr Mariwalla advised to wear UV gloves with fingertip cutouts.
At the end of the day, you're still exposing your skin to UV rays when doing gel manicures, so it's important to lather up on sunscreen, wear gloves, or limit your gel manicures to special occasions.
You can watch Bergman's video below:
Even if you're at home or indoors, wearing sunscreen is important as harmful UV rays can still reach you:
Here are some sunscreen options you can consider:
For more #beauty content:
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