Expert shares the ‘hidden dangers of gel nails’ that can make you AGE quicker – & her 2 tips to keep the wrinkles at bay

A DERMATOLOGIST has explained how getting gel nails could lead to premature ageing - and two easy ways to tackle the issue without giving up your nail shop visits.

Are you planning on getting new nails in time for the NYE celebrations? Then you might want to go to the beauty salon prepared, as the seemingly harmless treatment could actually make your hands age quicker.

2

2

This is because, according to one pro, Dr Sophie Shotter, the LED lights are ''still emitting light in the UV spectrum''.

''Now, that means that your hands, your fingers, your nail beds are experiencing this intense surge of UV lights,'' the dermatologist noted in her video.

Whilst gel manicures have indeed become all the rage, a study published in Nature Communications found that the UV lights commonly used in gel manicures can even damage DNA and cause cell mutations, Teen Vogue reported.

The study used both human and mouse subjects and exposed them to UV light in 20-minute increments.

In the first 20-minute exposure, the researchers discovered that anywhere from 20 to 30 percent of cells died; after three 20-minute sessions, about 65 to 70 percent died.

However, does that mean you should steer clear of the nail shop - or your at-home manicure kit - forever?

Not necessarily - but, as Dr Sophie Shotter noted, there are precautions to be made.

The dermatology whizz, who still gets her gel nails done, always follows three rules before heading off to her appointment, including applying a skincare essential.

in her video, she advised to use a broad spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen that not only will help to minimise the risk of deadly skin cancer but also keep the wrinkles at bay.

Another pro tip the whizz was raving about was wearing fingerless mani-safe gloves, which are made from ''UV protective fabric''.

''They keep my skin as protected as possible to be and still let me have my lovely nice, strong nails.''

In an interview with Teen Vogue, Shari Marchbein, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, explained that the risk depends on frequency, as skin cancer doesn't develop overnight.

''If you're going once in a while, it's probably not a big deal.

"You get more UV damage just walking around every day because most of us aren't walking around with our hands slathered in sunscreen,'' she added.

However, repeated exposure to UV nail lamps does increase your risk, the pro warned.

"Potentially repeated exposures over many years can lead to skin cancer on the nail, around the nail bed, around the fingers.

"If you do gel manicures from the time that you're 17 onward, that's a lot of UV exposure over a lifetime." 

Just by going twice a month you increase the risk of potential damage, the expert added.