Nail polish is one of the most commonly used beauty products across the world. From regular nail paints to trendy gel manicures, many people use them without thinking much about the ingredients inside. A video shows doctor’s warning about the possible cancer risk linked to certain nail products.
In a YouTube video, oncosurgeon Dr Vartika Vishwani explained how some traditional nail polishes may contain harmful chemicals that could affect health over time. She also shared important precautions users should follow while buying nail polish or getting gel manicures done at salons.
Cancer Risk Linked To Hidden Chemicals In Nail Polish
According to Dr Vartika Vishwani, older and traditional nail polishes often contained chemicals like formaldehyde, toluene and DBP. Among them, formaldehyde is considered the biggest concern.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified formaldehyde as a Group 1 carcinogen, which means it has the potential to increase cancer risk in humans.
However, the doctor also clarified that normal users who occasionally apply nail polish are at a very low risk. The bigger concern is for salon workers who inhale these chemicals daily for long hours.
She explained that continuous exposure to formaldehyde fumes may increase the chances of developing nasopharyngeal cancers in people working in salons and beauty spaces.
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The doctor also discussed gel manicures and UV nail lamps. A 2023 laboratory study suggested that UV exposure from nail lamps could potentially cause DNA mutations linked to skin cancer risk. However, there is still no direct evidence proving this in humans, and research is ongoing.
How To Reduce Cancer Risk While Using Nail Polish
Dr Vishwani said people do not need to completely stop using nail polish. Instead, they should become more careful while choosing products and visiting salons.
Here are some important precautions she suggested:
- Always look for labels like “5-Free,” “10-Free,” or “13-Free” while buying nail polish
- Avoid products containing:
- Formaldehyde
- Toluene
- DBP
- Camphor
- TPO
- Apply SPF sunscreen on hands before getting gel manicures done under UV lamps
- Ask salons which nail polish brands and chemicals they are using
The doctor stressed that people should never feel shy about checking product labels or asking questions at salons. While occasional nail polish use may not be dangerous for most users, experts believe informed choices and basic precautions can help reduce unnecessary health risks in the long run.
