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Are UV lamps in nail salons harmful to our cells? According to a new study, they could be responsible for the occurrence of cancer.
Many UV lamps populate nail salons. The problem ? They could be far more dangerous than you think, according to a new study from the University of California, San Diego.
Lamps lead to cell death
As part of this investigation, researchers studied the effects of UV lamps on the body.
“If you look at the way these devices are advertised, they are marketed as safe, no worries.” said Ludmil Alexandrov, professor of bioengineering as well as cellular and molecular medicine at UC San Diego, and author of the study published January 17 in NatureCommunications. “But to our knowledge, no one has actually studied these devices or how they affect human cells at the molecular and cellular level..”
Using adult human skin keratinocytes, human foreskin fibroblasts and mouse embryonic fibroblasts – scientists found that using these UV lamps for a single 20-minute session resulted in between 20-30% cell death. .. and three consecutive exposures led to the death of 65 to 70% of the exposed cells.
Carcinogenic mutations induced by these lamps
UV light also caused serious damage to mitochondria (organelles essential for cell function) and DNA – leading to carcinogenic mutations.
“We have found that some DNA damage is not repaired over time and leads to mutations after each use of a nail dryer. Finally, we have seen that exposure can cause mitochondrial dysfunction, which can also lead to additional mutations“, note the scientists.
According to their results, the chronic use of these lamps would damage human cells and lead to carcinogenic mutations. However, further study is needed to be certain that the use of these machines leads to an increased risk of skin cancer.