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!
@@sialee5926 I don't know any salon that's not using LED lights. UV lights are not as powerful (and thus won't cure some polishes) and they also have to be replaced more often. Every salon I've been to for YEARS has used LED. To me, Bio Gel just sounds like a soak off builder gel. I would treat it as any other gel. But some of their claims make me skeptical. 1) Any nail enhancement that claims that another one is damaging to your nails is a lie. The removal process is what damages your nails, if you or your tech is not being careful enough and you're overfiling your nail, making them thin and weak. 2) Putting vitamins on top of your nail is not going to make your nails grow faster or stronger. No external treatments are going to help your nails at a biological level. Your nails are created by the matrix, which lies close to your first knuckle, underneath your skin. This is where the cells are made for your nail plate, and afaik, nothing has an effect on the matrix to make it produce thicker or stronger nails. (You may be thinking, "But pre-natal vitamins strengthen your nails and hair!" No, those changes are due to pregnancy hormones, not the vitamins. If you're thinking Biotin does it, well, there are no studies that prove Biotin's claims of strengthening hair and nails.) If you ever want to know something about nails and nail treatments, I highly recommend looking up Doug Schoon, who is the leading scientist in nail stuff and has been for years.
I have no idea why I cannot use gel anymore and I thought it was just an ingredient in the polish. I agree that there are so many things with acrylate, however, I have never developed an reaction like I did when I was using gel. Even touching it a little bit while cleaning up a small spill will do it. It would get red and itchy and I had made sure that I would cure it all the way and I would be sure that if I do get it on my skin, I either would clean it off right away with acetone or put a barrier around the nail so I can just peel it right off. I had even left some space between the nail and the skin but it still happened. When I got the reaction, I even went to the nail salon because I thought it was just me, nope - happened there too and I had been to them before and not had an issue :( Ever since then, I have been using dip and regular polish and did not have that same reaction. What could it be?
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
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
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 UA-cam)
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.
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.
Hey! I wanted to add in my two cents here as and an artist and art educator about gel/resin safety because it is so much more dangerous than even covered here! So I am a sculptor and I specify in mold making. I was trained in using resin by some of the worlds most well-regarded resin casting artists, like as in people who make 50ft sculptures in museums made out of resin. I was precautioned about it very strongly by professionals before this recent at home boom in popularity with resin and gel nail use. Like, they may call it gel, but it is RESIN. Like, the stuff they make for plastic art. Aka a loose bonded polymers and monomers that "set" in UV light and do cure, but at a much slower rate than normal gel users account for, it often cures over the course of hours. Definitely dangerous to touch and potentially toxic. Setting resin and curing resin are two different things. It is very easy for resin to not properly cure in between layers of base coat, color, top coat, and special effect gels. Imagine touching sticky and melted unfinished plastic. That is what is happening on your cuticle and nailbed 24/7 anytime a gel nail isn't cured properly with each layer. Constantly being exposed to uncured resin is not good for vou and will result in a reaction that is frequently mislabeled as an allergy, but is in fact a sensitivity to being exposed to those loose bond uncured monomers and polymers. It is not a biological reaction, aka an allergy, it is a chemical reaction, aka a sensitivity. Like how if you’re burned by an acid you’re not allergic to it. And it's not if you develop a sensitivity to it, but when it finally becomes too much for your skin barrier and happens. This is why acyrlics and polygels and hard gels are the safest, they usually are applied in a single layer and cure in a single layer properly. However, gel nails and gel x nails, which are applied in layers and are often flash cured or even put on with a purposefully uncured “inhibition layer” close to the nail bed, which is so incredibly dangerous. I have many friends who have worked full time as casting artists and assistants who know the dangers of resin, even UV resin and can’t even be in a room with it uncured without having a reaction. They just remarked it from UV resin to “gel nails” and now people are suffering the reactions from it long term because they aren’t informed of the risk!!!
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!!
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 developed an allergy a few months into doing my own nails. I still get reactions if i'm not being careful enough but much more minor than the initial one I had because i'm being more careful now
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.
yessss there are sooo so many pretty nail polishes out there! & the main complaint i hear about reg nail polish is the dry time but honestly i think people need to learn about quick dry nail polish because it all together takes me less time to do (and keep!) my nails is less than doing gel safely for me.
I develop that allergy to Hema after using Beatles products. I was using other products that didn't hurt me (but were just as bad ) until I used the Beatles. Sigh. 😢 I have to use hema free products I bought off Amazon and so far they work for me.
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.
I took a long break from doing my own nails cuz I suddenly got a reaction only a few months into doing them, including itching, swelling and nail lifting away from the bed. I let them grow out a bit until they were healthy again before I thought about doing them again MUCH more carefully
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
I love UA-cam 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!
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.
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".
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!
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 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.
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
Could you do a whole video on gel allgery/hema/acrylate allergies and how common/how they happen, if they are much reason for concern. My poor OCD brain is so worried, but I also LOVE to do my nails at home.
Me too but I've just stopped recently due to my inner nagging concerns over it. It's just not worth it ultimately. My sister has had a terrible reaction to gel nails (a few years use) ended up in hospital and will now have life long allergies. No thank you!
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.
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
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.
Hey you should totally write a review on this! You’ve invested so much time in researching this already. It could potentially even be a bit higher impact than typical cosmetic science publications
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
I had to review this topic in depth when news began to appear in the newspapers associating gel nails with cancer. And I agree with every word of this video. It is also very important to raise awareness about allergic contact dermatitis to acrylates, which we frequently see in dermatology consultations. Great job!👏👏👏👏
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
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!
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!!
Thank you for this! Last year, I ordered a dip kit and failed miserably at being a manicurist. I just tried again, and it looked so much better. Staying in the lines with the liquids is difficult for me. I will try to be better at it because I don't want an allergic reaction. I ordered an LED lamp so I could add foils or art, then top coat with gel. Boy! I have a lot to learn! Thanks again for the information.
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!
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!
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
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.
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...
I love how you explain complex topics in a way that's easy to understand! It’s reassuring to hear that the UV exposure from gel manicures is less concerning than I thought. Can’t wait to see more videos on beauty science!
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
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!
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!
@@sialee5926 I reapply sunscreen after my nails are filed and shaped and are just about ready to be painted. The nail tech said it was fine and they could just clean and prep the nail to remove any sunscreen and oils that may affect the gel colour application. When I am about to leave the nail salon, I reapply sunscreen over the nails (it's pretty much set and cured at this point) as I slather it on my arms anyway.
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
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???
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!
@sialee5926 I wear sunscreen on the backs of my hands and face/neck on the regular! No special effort needed to avoid my fingernails if it's just a day. I do my nails myself at home. I use nail polish most of the time and I do gel nails once every two months or so when I really want to spend several hours focusing on creating lots of details. It's very therapeutic. Of course then I take more time to prep with sunscreen. If I'm ever traveling and there is a particular nail artist in the area I can make an appointment with, I will. I just wear fingerless gloves. It's so infrequent compared to existing outside that I just relax and enjoy
When I can't even make it to the end of a video before making a comment you know the video is great. Not everyone may think it's great, but this video combined two of my favorite things. Nail manicures and science facts, and even better is that there was a heavy focus on chemistry. You explained everything so well. I'm loving it so far. Now, let me continue watching.
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?
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
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.
Thanks for sharing about this! I’m a massive nail lover AND I’m doing my thesis work on the impact of UV radiation on collagen synthesis, so this is particularly interesting for me!
I always wondered why it burns after they apply the first bonding layer and expose it to UV -i didnt realise its a whole chain reaction expelling energy and genuinely heating up my nail beds.
Thank you! I've been wondering this because the UV my dentist uses burns my skin and I've always felt uncomfortable from it! Wondering if its different from the curing UV for gel nail curing? Thank you, excellent videos mixing beauty and science (how it SHOULD be!) The lack of safety and medical concern for typically women's products- even typically "women's" or AFAB people's medications and procedures- is beyond crazy to me. I love love love this channel changing that stigma ❤️ !!
Sorry if I missed this, but are HEMA free gels or Japanese gels truly any safer than something like OPI gels that are hybrids? Love that you covered this topic.
I have been wondering this exact thing for a very long time and the way I would approach the answer is exactly like you did (I am a physicist) THANK YOU SO MUCH for doing all of this reasearch and packing it in a video, I really appreciate it!
I'm not doing gel nails, but I do like doing resin toys like Miniverse items, and several people working with UV resin, but mainly epoxy resin have noticed developing allergies if they work with them without proper protection. I'm glad to know that the dose isn't harmful enough, though it is actually scary we were all missing the biggest issue that is a huge cause of concern for anyone's health. Your video was super informative and I'm super curious now about your book. Thank you for doing this!
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! 💖
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.
Ohhh props to you! I’ve been waiting for someone to finally break it down, been avoiding doing gel for nearly 2 years now because of how intimidating the research sounded. I knew there had to be some more study into this. I’m a little relieved that there are indicators it isn’t AS dangerous as thought it might be but don’t know still if I’ll go back to gel…
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.
@@emmao6578 Yes, there are special glasses to protect from laser. Sunglasses will help in a pinch, but laser glasses have better coatings and coverage from the sides.
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 used to have skill."* I really felt that.
Same😂 I moved over to crocheting instead of nailart🧶
@Spikypotato. I actually did the opposite lol
So real lol! I picked up nail art in 2020 got really good and then ditched it. I’m soo rusty now… 😅
I used to get paid to do hair in my neighborhood when I was a teenager. After having three daughters, no one has enough to pay me anymore! 😂😭
@@Spikypotato.omg we r the same !! The nail art 2 crochet pipeline is real.
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!
WOW! I had no idea!
From sanitary pads to surgical glue/tapes, acrylate allergy is something you definitely wouldn't want to have.
What about Bio Gel?
Why are the Salons NOT USING LED LIGHTS instead?
@@sialee5926 I don't know any salon that's not using LED lights. UV lights are not as powerful (and thus won't cure some polishes) and they also have to be replaced more often. Every salon I've been to for YEARS has used LED.
To me, Bio Gel just sounds like a soak off builder gel. I would treat it as any other gel. But some of their claims make me skeptical.
1) Any nail enhancement that claims that another one is damaging to your nails is a lie. The removal process is what damages your nails, if you or your tech is not being careful enough and you're overfiling your nail, making them thin and weak.
2) Putting vitamins on top of your nail is not going to make your nails grow faster or stronger. No external treatments are going to help your nails at a biological level. Your nails are created by the matrix, which lies close to your first knuckle, underneath your skin. This is where the cells are made for your nail plate, and afaik, nothing has an effect on the matrix to make it produce thicker or stronger nails. (You may be thinking, "But pre-natal vitamins strengthen your nails and hair!" No, those changes are due to pregnancy hormones, not the vitamins. If you're thinking Biotin does it, well, there are no studies that prove Biotin's claims of strengthening hair and nails.)
If you ever want to know something about nails and nail treatments, I highly recommend looking up Doug Schoon, who is the leading scientist in nail stuff and has been for years.
I have no idea why I cannot use gel anymore and I thought it was just an ingredient in the polish. I agree that there are so many things with acrylate, however, I have never developed an reaction like I did when I was using gel. Even touching it a little bit while cleaning up a small spill will do it. It would get red and itchy and I had made sure that I would cure it all the way and I would be sure that if I do get it on my skin, I either would clean it off right away with acetone or put a barrier around the nail so I can just peel it right off. I had even left some space between the nail and the skin but it still happened. When I got the reaction, I even went to the nail salon because I thought it was just me, nope - happened there too and I had been to them before and not had an issue :( Ever since then, I have been using dip and regular polish and did not have that same reaction. What could it be?
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!
Glad it was helpful!
Same! I do regular polish and acrylic manicures only even though I really love the shiny look of gel, i just didn’t wanna put my hand under that lamp
This video kinda has the same message tho: There's not much to worry about
@@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
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!
How do you use gloves without messing up your nails?
@@MJ-gm7km you put the gloves on before you apply the polish....
@@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.
Every other week is really early most people wait 3 to 4 weeks or even longer
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
@@UnicornsPoopRainbows 👍 yep
@@capybaracake yep 👍
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!
Hi, Where did you buy your lamp/ what brand? Thank you..
@@infinitemuse Light Elegance
@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 UA-cam)
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.
So using a LED light is more safe than using a UV light?
Omg you’re the absolute best. The chain reaction demonstration was so adorable!
😍
Do you have a video on red light therapy masks snd the risks for skin cancer? If not could you do one please?
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.
Yes please everyone is doing that but I dont believe
@@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.
Yes i wonder about that too!
@@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!
It took so freaking long to wade through the papers, they're very dense! Very glad this one is out 😅
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.
Hey! I wanted to add in my two cents here as and an artist and art educator about gel/resin safety because it is so much more dangerous than even covered here!
So I am a sculptor and I specify in mold making. I was trained in using resin by some of the worlds most well-regarded resin casting artists, like as in people who make 50ft sculptures in museums made out of resin. I was precautioned about it very strongly by professionals before this recent at home boom in popularity with resin and gel nail use.
Like, they may call it gel, but it is RESIN. Like, the stuff they make for plastic art. Aka a loose bonded polymers and monomers that "set" in UV light and do cure, but at a much slower rate than normal gel users account for, it often cures over the course of hours. Definitely dangerous to touch and potentially toxic.
Setting resin and curing resin are two different things. It is very easy for resin to not properly cure in between layers of base coat, color, top coat, and special effect gels. Imagine touching sticky and melted unfinished plastic. That is what is happening on your cuticle and nailbed 24/7 anytime a gel nail isn't cured properly with each layer.
Constantly being exposed to uncured resin is not good for vou and will result in a reaction that is frequently mislabeled as an allergy, but is in fact a sensitivity to being exposed to those loose bond uncured monomers and polymers.
It is not a biological reaction, aka an allergy, it is a chemical reaction, aka a sensitivity. Like how if you’re burned by an acid you’re not allergic to it. And it's not if you develop a sensitivity to it, but when it finally becomes too much for your skin barrier and happens.
This is why acyrlics and polygels and hard gels are the safest, they usually are applied in a single layer and cure in a single layer properly. However, gel nails and gel x nails, which are applied in layers and are often flash cured or even put on with a purposefully uncured “inhibition layer” close to the nail bed, which is so incredibly dangerous.
I have many friends who have worked full time as casting artists and assistants who know the dangers of resin, even UV resin and can’t even be in a room with it uncured without having a reaction. They just remarked it from UV resin to “gel nails” and now people are suffering the reactions from it long term because they aren’t informed of the risk!!!
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!!
Is anyone going to mention that top? It's adorable!! 😍🎃🎃🎃🎃
Right? It's so cute!
I love it!! so so cute!
I just noticed ❤
It has CATS. 😻🐈⬛🐈🐈⬛🐈🐈⬛
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.
Well said!
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! 😊
@elusivemayfly7534 lol, thanks I get it. Sometimes we all accidentally seem like bots 😀
@@hkandm4s23 Lol!
Listening while curing my nails for the first time
I always worry about the microplastics that go up in the air when they drill/file :o
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 ❤
I use the jello jello peely base gel 🥰
Thats why I changed to press ons! Nails protected, no filing and I get to keep my designs
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. :)
when you apply your sunscreen do you let it touch your nail beds or do you apply it in a specific way ?
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 developed an allergy a few months into doing my own nails. I still get reactions if i'm not being careful enough but much more minor than the initial one I had because i'm being more careful now
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.
yessss there are sooo so many pretty nail polishes out there! & the main complaint i hear about reg nail polish is the dry time but honestly i think people need to learn about quick dry nail polish because it all together takes me less time to do (and keep!) my nails is less than doing gel safely for me.
YOU CAN GET IT FROM PRESS ON NAIL GLUE?!?!?!?!?
I develop that allergy to Hema after using Beatles products. I was using other products that didn't hurt me (but were just as bad ) until I used the Beatles. Sigh. 😢 I have to use hema free products I bought off Amazon and so far they work for me.
@@emmaphant02yes u can sadly :( but if u want a nail glue that wont start an reaction i would recommend nail glues that r vegan
I like your chain reaction animation, well done
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.
I took a long break from doing my own nails cuz I suddenly got a reaction only a few months into doing them, including itching, swelling and nail lifting away from the bed. I let them grow out a bit until they were healthy again before I thought about doing them again MUCH more carefully
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
You really are such an amazing scientific communicator, Michelle. Another great video!
Thank you so much!
I love UA-cam 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!
it's like she read my mind...last week I was wondering about this and contemplating buying one of those lamps
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.
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".
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!
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.
Hope it helped!
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.
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
Could you do a whole video on gel allgery/hema/acrylate allergies and how common/how they happen, if they are much reason for concern. My poor OCD brain is so worried, but I also LOVE to do my nails at home.
Me too but I've just stopped recently due to my inner nagging concerns over it. It's just not worth it ultimately.
My sister has had a terrible reaction to gel nails (a few years use) ended up in hospital and will now have life long allergies. No thank you!
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.
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
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.
Hey you should totally write a review on this! You’ve invested so much time in researching this already. It could potentially even be a bit higher impact than typical cosmetic science publications
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!
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.
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.
This is something I have wondered about! Glad to see the video on the topic
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.
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
I had this EXACT question a few weeks ago so glad you covered it
I’m so happy someone is talking about this!❤
I had to review this topic in depth when news began to appear in the newspapers associating gel nails with cancer. And I agree with every word of this video. It is also very important to raise awareness about allergic contact dermatitis to acrylates, which we frequently see in dermatology consultations. Great job!👏👏👏👏
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
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!
love that! can you please do something similar with home laser hair remover devices?
I've recently discovered the joy of semi-cured gel and I was wondering exactly that... Thank you for the detailed answer!
I just got to the part of the video where you published a book!!! I will absolutely be buying it!
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!!
Off topic, I love her shirt! Okay, back to listening to the video 😊
The chain reaction ⛓️ 😂❤❤ I love the way you explain and demonstrate concepts so much 💖
The chain of Michelle-polymers was a great visual
Thank you for this! Last year, I ordered a dip kit and failed miserably at being a manicurist. I just tried again, and it looked so much better. Staying in the lines with the liquids is difficult for me. I will try to be better at it because I don't want an allergic reaction. I ordered an LED lamp so I could add foils or art, then top coat with gel. Boy! I have a lot to learn! Thanks again for the information.
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!
In the US and Canada I have never seen a salon have more than one lamp even though they offer a bunch of different gel polish brands
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!
I was asking myself this question just yesterday when I was doing gel nails at home! 😮
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
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.
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...
I love how you explain complex topics in a way that's easy to understand! It’s reassuring to hear that the UV exposure from gel manicures is less concerning than I thought. Can’t wait to see more videos on beauty science!
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
Fascinating stuff.... science stuff I think I understood. Thanks for making it easier to understand
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!
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!
You apply sunscreen to your nails, after you get them done?
@@sialee5926
I reapply sunscreen after my nails are filed and shaped and are just about ready to be painted. The nail tech said it was fine and they could just clean and prep the nail to remove any sunscreen and oils that may affect the gel colour application.
When I am about to leave the nail salon, I reapply sunscreen over the nails (it's pretty much set and cured at this point) as I slather it on my arms anyway.
Michelle please talk about the UV light lash extensions! I just came across it and I’m SHOCKED!!
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
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???
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!
You apply the sunscreen to your cuticles after you leave the nail salon?
Is it just for that day, or everyday?
@sialee5926 I wear sunscreen on the backs of my hands and face/neck on the regular! No special effort needed to avoid my fingernails if it's just a day. I do my nails myself at home. I use nail polish most of the time and I do gel nails once every two months or so when I really want to spend several hours focusing on creating lots of details. It's very therapeutic. Of course then I take more time to prep with sunscreen. If I'm ever traveling and there is a particular nail artist in the area I can make an appointment with, I will. I just wear fingerless gloves. It's so infrequent compared to existing outside that I just relax and enjoy
When I can't even make it to the end of a video before making a comment you know the video is great. Not everyone may think it's great, but this video combined two of my favorite things. Nail manicures and science facts, and even better is that there was a heavy focus on chemistry. You explained everything so well. I'm loving it so far. Now, let me continue watching.
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?
google stalking you fr
You don't need to wear sunscreen if the uv is 2 or below even for aesthetic reasons
Even if I'm using retinal every night and vitamin c every morning ?@@ohdeniseluciani
@@ohdeniseluciani okay, I didn't and now I have two sun spots😅
I’ve always wondered about this, i appreciate this video 👌
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
Chain reaction pun=gold
Heres your flowers 💐
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.
Great break down of this topic. Thank you!
I have 100 percent wondered this. Thanks for clearing it up.
Thank you! Could you please also do a video for acrylic powder and acrylic liquids used for nails, thank you.
Thanks for burning my eyes at 0:35, Michelle
So glad UA-cam recommended this video to me!!
Thanks for sharing about this! I’m a massive nail lover AND I’m doing my thesis work on the impact of UV radiation on collagen synthesis, so this is particularly interesting for me!
I've been looking for something like this for ages. The science of beauty to know what is safe or not. Thank you for your content.
I always wondered why it burns after they apply the first bonding layer and expose it to UV -i didnt realise its a whole chain reaction expelling energy and genuinely heating up my nail beds.
Thank you! I've been wondering this because the UV my dentist uses burns my skin and I've always felt uncomfortable from it! Wondering if its different from the curing UV for gel nail curing? Thank you, excellent videos mixing beauty and science (how it SHOULD be!) The lack of safety and medical concern for typically women's products- even typically "women's" or AFAB people's medications and procedures- is beyond crazy to me. I love love love this channel changing that stigma ❤️ !!
Sorry if I missed this, but are HEMA free gels or Japanese gels truly any safer than something like OPI gels that are hybrids? Love that you covered this topic.
I love this channel. I also love James Welsh.
So this video was a double win for me!!
Nicely done.
God bless
I have been wondering this exact thing for a very long time and the way I would approach the answer is exactly like you did (I am a physicist) THANK YOU SO MUCH for doing all of this reasearch and packing it in a video, I really appreciate it!
I'm not doing gel nails, but I do like doing resin toys like Miniverse items, and several people working with UV resin, but mainly epoxy resin have noticed developing allergies if they work with them without proper protection. I'm glad to know that the dose isn't harmful enough, though it is actually scary we were all missing the biggest issue that is a huge cause of concern for anyone's health. Your video was super informative and I'm super curious now about your book. Thank you for doing this!
i love your channel and your content!! 😊💕
thank you for covering these topics for the gurlies who wanna be pretty but also wanna be safe
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! 💖
19:37 omg yes love James Welsh!! I jumped up hearing him mentioned 😆
Same when James mentions Michelle
Great info, thank you. And, uber cute Halloween top.
Gel manicures totally trashed my nails. Fortunately they eventually went back to normal about 6 months after I stopped getting them.
omg the chain reaction edit was too good!! 🤣🤣
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.
Ohhh props to you! I’ve been waiting for someone to finally break it down, been avoiding doing gel for nearly 2 years now because of how intimidating the research sounded. I knew there had to be some more study into this. I’m a little relieved that there are indicators it isn’t AS dangerous as thought it might be but don’t know still if I’ll go back to gel…
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! You've always put so much thought and love into your videos!!! This should be the standard
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?
I wonder about this also!!!
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.
@sahrishrizvi7610 I'm guessing that needs to be something more specific than sunglasses then?
@@emmao6578 Yes, there are special glasses to protect from laser. Sunglasses will help in a pinch, but laser glasses have better coatings and coverage from the sides.
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! 💙😊
Thank you i‘ve always wondered if it was harmful to put your hands under the uv-light of nail curing lamps