Could Dryers At The Nail Salon Cause Aging and Skin Cancer?

One of the most relaxing things a woman can do for herself is to get a manicure and a pedicure. Who doesn't feel like they are ready to take on the world after freshly painted glossy nails? Well, don't rush off to get your nails done just yet.

The latest findings, according to April 2009 issue of Archives of Dermatology, say those dryers that most salons use are a bit of a problem.

The study followed two women who were middle aged and healthy without a history of skin cancer. Plus, they weren't recreational sunbathers. It seemed that these women developed skin cancer on the tops of their hands after regular exposure to the UV dryers.

That only happened to two women, but the study indicates that there could be some truth in this. Think about it. Every time you put your hands or feet into those dryers it's like sticking them into a tanning bed.

So perhaps you might not get cancer but you could get the effects of tanning. Effects like photo aging, age spots, wrinkles and basically everything else that you buy all those creams to prevent. Though it might not be quite as serious because its only your hands and feet, the study warns that effects may eventually take a toll.

This doesn't mean that you have to give up manis/pedis! Just forgo the dryer and use a fast dry topcoat like Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat ($8, sallybeauty.com) or a fast dry finishing spray like OPI Rapid Dry ($13, amazon.com) to dry your nails so that you can dash out quickly without smudging your nails.